1. Knowledge and Understanding:

Participants will develop a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of human skin and its appendages (principally the hair follicle and nail) and will enhance their knowledge of the scientific basis of skin function. They will also develop an understanding of the impact of skin and its appendages on our well-being.

On completion of the Professional Certificate, participants should have the following competencies:

● Have a comprehensive introductory knowledge of the biology of human skin

● Have a comprehensive introductory knowledge of the human hair follicle (principally of the scalp)

● Have a comprehensive introductory knowledge of the nail

● Have a comprehensive introductory knowledge of skin aging

● Have a comprehensive introductory knowledge of skin and hair follicle pigmentation

● Have a comprehensive introductory knowledge of gender and geographic ancestry-related aspects of the skin and its appendages.

● Have a comprehensive introductory knowledge of wound healing in the skin

● Have a comprehensive introductory knowledge of skin and hair follicle stem cells

● Appreciate the basics of skin and hair care issues

2. Applying Knowledge and understanding:

Webinars will be interactive, allowing the participants to actively engage with the lecturer and facilitating discussion by the participants with experts in the field of skin and hair follicle science. The single assessment at the end of the trimester will evaluate the participant’s ability to contextualize their knowledge and understanding of the subject. The course puts assessment at the centre of learning, by incorporating an applied understanding of the topics including via problem-solving, critical analysis and evidence-based personal (non-medical) care.

On completion of this Professional Certificate in Skin and Hair Follicle Science we will expect the student to be able to:

● Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the biology of skin and its associated appendages or adnexa

● Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of how the skin and its appendages vary by age, gender, and geographic ancestry.

● Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the skin and hair follicle responds in wound healing

● Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the basics of personal care to physiological or sub-clinical variations in the human skin and hair follicle.

3. Making judgements:

Throughout this lecture series there will be a significant emphasis on the need for self-directed learning and the importance of understanding skin/hair-related research. Critical appraisal of scientific literature will be a major feature of all lectures, so as to be able to separate fact from fiction.

On completion of the Professional Certificate participants should have the following competencies:

● Critically appraise the current human skin and hair follicle science landscape

● Develop a structured approach to critical appraisal of the cutaneous scientific literature

● Assess the contribution of cutaneous research to the development of personal care strategies for human skin and hair follicle.

● Evaluate personal learning and develop learning skills

4. Communication and working skills:

On completion of this Professional Certificate in Skin and Hair Follicle Science we will expect the applicants to be able to:

● Ensure that skin and hair variations are not inappropriately dismissed as trivial or unimportant to the individual.

5. Learning skills:

● Participants should further develop a multitude of learning skills. During this interactive webinar series participants will be encouraged to further explore the content of every webinar through self-directed learning and critical appraisal of current literature.

● Participants will also be requested to reflect on their webinar-based content and apply what they have learnt to their current occupational contexts where appropriate. Interactive webinar-based question and answer sessions should further develop their ability to ask pertinent skin/hair personal care- relevant questions.

Topics that will be covered during the Trimester are as follows:

a) Skin anatomy/histology (including of hair follicle, nail, and sweat glands.

b) Skin and hair pigmentation (in health and mild physiological variants).

c) Hair growth (in health and common physiological variants e.g., alopecias)

d) Skin aging and hair follicle aging (incl. hair graying)

e) Skin health and nutrition (incl. nutraceuticals)

f) Skin and hair follicle stem cells

g) Skin wound healing

h) Skin interaction with light (UVR and visible light including blue light).

i) Skin microbiome

Applicants should have a BSc (NFQ Level 8 or international equivalent) in a Biology-containing or Life Sciences-based degree from a recognised Irish or international third level institution i.e., anatomy, physiology & pathology; pharmacology, toxicology; pharmacy; analytical Sciences; and laboratory Practice.

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