The Lighthouse Clinic and Lighthouse Education have announced an initiative to bring MASCED (Melanoma and Skin Cancer Early Detection) Accredited Training to beauty professionals across the Isle of Wight.
While the MASCED training, developed by the national skin cancer charity Skcin, has been available for some time, this marks the start of a dedicated local push to roll it out across the island’s beauty sector.
Backed by The Lighthouse Clinic’s expert dermatology team, this campaign is aimed at training eyes to save lives, empowering beauty professionals to recognise suspicious moles and skin lesions and refer clients for early medical assessment.
Early detection is critical in the fight against skin cancer. Beauty therapists, nail technicians, hairdressers, and barbers work in one of the few industries where they regularly observe their clients’ skin, giving them a unique and powerful opportunity to spot changes or concerns that clients themselves may not notice.
By equipping beauty professionals with accredited, evidence-based knowledge, the MASCED training enhances their ability to:
• Identify unusual or suspicious moles or lesions
• Ask the right questions (Are you aware of this? Have you noticed changes?)
• Recommend that clients see their GP for further evaluation
While the course doesn’t turn participants into dermatologists, it gives them the confidence and practical knowhow to play a crucial role in early detection, potentially saving lives.
To help launch this initiative on the Isle of Wight, Lighthouse Education has funded 100 training places for local beauty professionals.
Participants can request a code from Lighthouse Education, register at https://masced.uk, and complete the 60-minute accredited e-course.
Upon completion, they will receive the MASCED Certificate of Accreditation and a practical guide covering:
• The risks of ultraviolet radiation (UVR) exposure
• Sun safety strategies
• How to recognise Basal Cell Carcinoma, Squamous Cell Carcinoma, and Melanoma
• How to communicate concerns to clients appropriately
Skcin Charity has already seen powerful results from this program. In one inspiring case, a beautician trained through MASCED identified 8 clients she was worried about — 3 of whom were later diagnosed with melanoma and received life-saving treatment thanks to early recognition.
“We are excited to partner with Skcin to bring this training to the Isle of Wight,” said the Lighthouse Clinic team. “The beauty industry is perfectly placed to play a vital role in spotting the early signs of skin cancer. Together, we’re training eyes to save lives. We are thrilled that Becalmed Medispa in Cowes has been the first to take up the free training offer and all their staff are now MASCED Accredited.”
Marie Tudor, CEO of Skcin, said:
“We are delighted Lighthouse Education has funded the training for salons and clinics on the IOW. This is an incredible opportunity to help promote the early detection of skin cancer and sun safety with the people living on the island. Anyone working in this sector, undertaking close contact skin services, has a key role to play in undertaking skin surveillance, highlighting any concerns with their clients, and signposting appropriately.
“Our online training was developed in 2018 to help the sector have access to such education and the training to help support our mission to save lives and detect skin cancer sooner.
“We look forward to an army of beauty/hair/skin professionals on the island supporting our mission.”
Anyone interested in the training should visit www.masced.uk.
