Qualifi Level 5 Unit CO506 Advanced Skin Science for Aesthetic Practice (A/651/7026) Assessment Example 2026

University Qualifi Ltd
Subject CO506 Advanced Skin Science for Aesthetic Practice (A/651/7026)

Qualifi Level 5 Unit CO506 Assessment Example 2026

QualificationLevel 5 Advanced Diploma in
Aesthetic Practice
Unit Reference NumberA/651/7026
Unit CodeCO506
Unit TitleAdvanced Skin Science for Aesthetic Practice
Unit Level5
Number of Credits6
Total Qualification Time (TQT)60 hours
Guided Learning Hours (GLH)40 hours
Unit Grading StructurePass/Fail

Unit Aim

  • This unit aims to develop learners’ scientific knowledge of pathology, biochemistry, biophysics, anatomy and physiology and morphology relevant to skin rejuvenation and aesthetic practice.
  • This unit is based on the 2025 Level 5 Aesthetic Practitioner – Skin Rejuvenation apprenticeship occupational standards: https://www.instituteforapprenticeships.org/apprenticeship- standards/st1238
  • Aesthetic Practitioners will maintain current and valid First Aid at Work qualification or equivalent and be able to carry out the functions of Basic Life Support (BLS), infection control and complication management.

Aesthetic Occupational Standards – KSBs

Knowledge

  • K6: The science of pathology in non-surgical aesthetic practice for skin rejuvenation: skin morphology; inflammatory response; remodelling; skin aging effects on collagen, elastin, pigmentation; scarring; vascular changes; phases of skin healing.
  • K7: The science of biochemistry in non-surgical aesthetic practice for skin rejuvenation: biochemical pathways; collagen; elastin; glycation; hyaluronic acid; alpha hydroxy acids, beta hydroxy acids, lipids; ceramides; oxidation; wound healing.
  • K8: The science of biophysics in non-surgical aesthetic practice for skin rejuvenation: the skin’s structural integrity and response to mechanical and thermal procedures, elasticity and viscoelasticity, hydration and barrier function; biomechanical changes.
  • K9: Principles of anatomy and physiology relevant for non-surgical aesthetic practice for skin rejuvenation: the structure and function of the body systems, the physiology of healthy skin, skin science, the pH scale and relevance to skin sensitivity, integrity and healing, the compromised barrier function and skin regeneration processes.
  • K10: How the skin morphology impacts on selection of procedures and procedure plans and alters due to age and genetics, disease, disorder, trauma, and environmental factors.

Learning Outcomes, and Assessment Criteria

Learning Outcomes

When awarded credit for this unit, a learner will:

Assessment Criteria

Assessment of this learning outcome will require a learner to demonstrate that they can:

NOS/KSBs

 

LO1 Understand the science of pathology relevant to aesthetic practice.1.1Understand the morphology of the skin and how it underpins aesthetic proceduresK6
1.2Understand the skin’s inflammatory responseK6
1.3Understand the phases of skin healing and the impact on procedure planning.K6
 1.4Describe the impact of skin aging on collagen, elastin, and pigmentationK6
1.5Discuss the formation of scarring and vascular changes that can occur post-aesthetic proceduresK6
LO2 Understand the science of biochemistry relevant to aesthetic practice.2.1Explain key biochemical pathways involved in skin rejuvenationK7
2.2Analyse the roles of collagen, elastic, glycation and hyaluronic acid in skin aging and repairK7
2.3Compare the actions and benefits of AHAs, BHAs, ceramides and lipidsK7
2.4Discuss oxidative processes and their effect on skin agingK7
2.5Evaluate the biochemical aspects of wound healing relevant to aesthetic proceduresK7
LO3 Understand the science of biophysics relevant to aesthetic practice.3.1Explain the skin’s structural integrity and its response to mechanical and thermal treatments.K8
3.2Define skin elasticity and viscoelasticity relevant to aesthetic practiceK8
3.3Evaluate the importance of hydration and the skin’s barrier functionK8
3.4Explain the biomechanical changes in the skin resulting from aging or aesthetic proceduresK8
LO4 Understand anatomy and physiology and skin science relevant to aesthetic practice.4.1Describe the structure and function of relevant body systems influencing skin health.K9
4.2Explain the physiology of healthy skin, including regeneration and repairK9
4.3Interpret the relevance of the skin’s pH in relation to sensitivity, integrity, and healing.K9
4.4Assess the impact of a compromised barrier function on procedure outcomes.K9
LO5 Understand skin morphology relevant to aesthetic practice.5.1Describe how the skin morphology impacts on planning and selection of procedures in aesthetic practiceK10
5.2Analyse how intrinsic factors (e.g. age and genetics, disease, disorder, trauma) affect skin morphologyK10
5.3Evaluate how extrinsic factors (e.g. UV exposure, pollution, skincare) influence skin healthK10

 Indicative content

Pathology

  • Skin morphology: epidermis, dermis, hypodermis; keratinocytes, melanocytes, fibroblasts, Langerhans cells, collagen and elastin structure.
  • Inflammatory response: vasodilation, cellular mediators, leukocyte activity, cytokines.
  • Phases of skin healing: haemostasis, inflammation, proliferation, remodelling.
  • Skin aging: Intrinsic vs. extrinsic aging; collagen degradation, elastin degeneration, pigmentation changes.
  • Scarring and vascular changes: atrophic/hypertrophic scars, telangiectasia, PIH.

Biochemistry

  • Biochemical pathways: glycolysis, Krebs cycle, ATP production. Skin biomolecules: collagen, elastin, glycation, hyaluronic acid.
  • AHAs/BHAs: mechanisms, effects, pH considerations.
  • Lipids and ceramides: barrier repair, hydration.
  • Oxidation and antioxidants.
  • Wound healing biochemistry: fibroblast activation, collagen remodelling

Biophysics

  • Skin structure and integrity: response to mechanical and thermal treatments.
  • Elasticity and viscoelasticity: skin tension, aging impact.
  • Hydration: TEWL, stratum corneum.
  • Barrier function: lipid matrix, permeability.
  • Biomechanical changes: aging, glycation.

Anatomy and Physiology

  • Skin structure and integrity: response to mechanical and thermal treatments.
  • Elasticity and viscoelasticity: skin tension, aging impact.
  • Hydration: trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL), stratum corneum.
  • Barrier function: lipid matrix, permeability.
  • Biomechanical changes: aging, glycation.

Skin Science

  • Relevant body systems: integumentary, lymphatic, circulatory, immune.
  • Skin physiology: keratinisation, melanogenesis.
  • Skin science: Fitzpatrick scale, Lancer scale, Merz scale, microbiome.
  • pH and skin: acid mantle, pH in products.
  • Compromised barrier: over-exfoliation, disease.
  • Regeneration: epidermal turnover, growth factors.

Skin Morphology 

  • Intrinsic factors: genetics, age, disease.
  • Extrinsic factors: UV, pollution, lifestyle.
  • Skin assessment: tools and techniques.
  • Procedure selection: suitability by condition.
  • Treatment planning: personalisation, contraindications.

Glossary

AHAs – alpha hydroxy acid, water-soluble naturally occurring or synthetic acids used in chemical peels for their skin surface exfoliating properties.

BHAs – beta hydroxy acid, oil soluble, chemical exfoliant e.g. salicylic acid, penetrates the pores to exfoliate from within, used in chemical peels for treating congested skin e.g. acne. TEWL – trans-epidermal water loss, the diffusion of water from the dermis through the epidermis into the atmosphere. TEWL is necessary in a small amount for skin hydration balance. Increased TEWL indicates a compromised skin barrier, which can be caused by damage, inflammation or dehydration.

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