After five years of work as a beautician in an institute, Magali Bourgy does not find her account. Too restricted. No exchange other than commercial. “I was frustrated,” she says. By learning about the profession of nursing assistant, to change paths, she discovered socio-aesthetics. “It’s offering a little bubble of well-being, a suspended time, a touch other than medical” to patients who are at a difficult time in their lives: the elderly, who have had a stroke, or who suffer from multiple sclerosis, who are on dialysis, under chemo, or even in palliative care.
Care as in an institute, in the hospital
The young woman completes her training with a year of study in a specialized school, where she learns to take care of patients in cancerology, geriatrics, psychiatry, but also people in social fracture, people who suffer from addictions .
It offers them the same treatments as in an institute: facial, hand and foot care, body sculpting, waxing, make-up… Except that they are adapted to the patient and his pathology. And they are free, financed by the structure that employs it.
For eight years, Magali has worked full-time in the hospital center of the Nevers conurbation, which is rather rare in France. “The doctors carried out this project”, specifies the socio-esthetician.
After a treatment, patients are calmer and they approach painful or unpleasant treatments in a more relaxed way.
Doctors, nurses or psychologists generally refer patients to him. In priority those who suffer from anxiety, pain, people who neglect their image or their hygiene because of their pathology, who find it difficult to reclaim their body, to have a good self-esteem.
Prevent patient side effects
Part of his job is also to prevent side effects. For example, teach patients undergoing chemo why they must put on silicon varnish or sunscreen to preserve their skin or their nails. “I remember a lady who had cracks on each finger. She could no longer cook or fasten her buttons. I explained to her the importance of moisturizing her hands regularly, and after a month she had no no more these pains. She said to me: ‘You are an angel.’ That’s what makes me feel useful”.
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Other stories have marked her. This woman in palliative care whom she made up for her wedding day. This mother, condemned, whose dream she realized by recreating mother-daughter care in the hospital, as in an institute. “I invited his 10-year-old daughter. I gave them a musical atmosphere, lights and I went from one to another,” she recalls. “There is also this patient that I knew as a minor. I followed her for seven years and I accompanied her until palliative care”.
“Fortunately, we are a team, we can exchange. And during our training, we learn not to transfer, to take a step back. I know that I really bring comfort to my patients, and that’s fulfilling”.
She continues: “I learn every day and I intend to continue”.
She simply regrets that this profession still lacks recognition. “There should be a study looking at the benefits that socio-aesthetics bring to patients. The rest would follow”.
Marlene Martin
