Skin Care University IBS

What Skin Care University IBS does

Hudvårdshögskolan IBS (Skin Care University IBS), legally Hudvårdsskolan International Beauty School, is a privately owned Swedish vocational education institution founded in 1995 by Sara Flyhammar and headquartered at Smedjegatan 18 in Nacka (Sickla köpkvarter), Stockholm. The school delivers a Hud- och Spaterapeut (Skin and Spa Therapist) program in two formats: a 1.3-year full-time program that is tuition-free and 100% CSN-eligible, and a 2-year part-time semi-distance program charging 97,500 SEK in total tuition (75% CSN-eligible). The school holds accreditations from the Swedish National Agency for Higher Vocational Education (Yrkeshögskolan), SHR (Sveriges Hudterapeuters Riksorganisation), ITEC, and CIDESCO, and claims to be the only skin therapist education in Scandinavia offering both ITEC and CIDESCO international certifications, enabling graduates to work across 38+ and 33+ countries respectively.

The curriculum integrates theoretical instruction with hands-on training on branded medical-grade apparatus including IOXO microneedling pens, Aldix Smart 808nm diode lasers, Omega Light LED/IR masks (1145 diodes), LPG Alliance Endermologie equipment, microcurrent devices, and micro-/diamond dermabrasion, alongside product lines from Neostrata (medically developed AHA/PHA/Retinol skincare) and Phytomer (French marine skincare). Students practice on paying customers at the on-site kundklinik (customer clinic), where facials range from 475–695 SEK and microneedling from 1,400–1,650 SEK. Optional add-on certifications (LPG therapist, Eyelash/Brow Lifting, Cuccio Veneer Gellack) and ITEC/CIDESCO exams are available for additional fees. Injection treatments (Botox/fillers at 2,200–3,900 SEK) are delivered on premises by licensed nurses from Victoriakliniken, with which the school has a close collaborative relationship.

Distribution is primarily organic: applications are processed via the national Swedish YH admissions portal and direct enrollment for part-time programs, supplemented by open house events (Öppet Hus), social media, and SHR trade fair participation. The school is founder-owned with no disclosed external investors or funding rounds, and operates with 11–50 employees. Key industry partners include HBS Nordic (Neostrata), Beauty Service Sweden (Phytomer), Astomed (laser/microneedling equipment), Technovital (LPG), Scratch of Sweden (Cuccio), Skin Concept/Combinal, Lash Lift Stockholm, and Diagnostiskt Center Hud. The business model combines tuition revenue, certification fees, customer clinic services, and (indirectly) third-party clinical service hosting.

Name

Skin Care University IBS

Legal name

Hudvårdsskolan International Beauty School

Website

https://hudvardshogskolan.se

Company type

Private

Founded year

1995

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Hudvårdshögskolan IBS is a privately owned Swedish vocational school founded in 1995 that trains adult students as skin and spa therapists through SHR-, ITEC-, and CIDESCO-accredited full-time and part-time programs with on-site customer clinic practice.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Vocational Esthetics Education

NAICS

Cosmetology and Barber Schools (611511), Technical and Trade Schools (6115), Educational Services (611)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Esthetics / Skincare (EDAOALAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Esthetics & Skincare Training Programs (HSALANAB), Massage Therapy & Bodywork (EDAOALAH), Spa & Body Treatment Training (Body Wraps/Scrubs/Hydrotherapy) (HSALANAI)

Keywords

• Vocational skin therapy training
• Esthetician certification programs
• Spa therapist education
• Beauty therapy vocational school
• CIDESCO ITEC certification

Headquarters

HQ city

Nacka

HQ country

Sweden

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Part-time tuition fees: The part-time (semi-distance) program charges a total tuition fee of 97,500 SEK (approximately 8,200 EUR). An enrollment fee of 5,000 SEK is charged upon acceptance, with the remainder payable by the first day of study or via installment plan (up to 5 installments over the study period). Students can apply for a cost-of-living loan (Merkostnadslån) through CSN to cover the entire tuition fee.
2. Customer clinic treatments: The school's training clinic serves paying customers at discounted rates during student training hours. Treatment categories include facials (475–695 SEK), body treatments (500–750 SEK), hair removal (230–1,600 SEK), pedicure (430–480 SEK), spa treatments (450–500 SEK), and microneedling (1,400–1,650 SEK). Weekend pricing is slightly higher.
3. International exam fees (ITEC/CIDESCO): Optional international examinations from ITEC and CIDESCO are offered as add-on certifications for additional fees. These are optional upgrades beyond the base vocational education diploma.
4. Optional certification courses: Optional add-on courses including Diplomerad LPG terapeut and Certifierad Eyelash/Brow Lifting offered at discounted student prices. Cuccio Veneer Gellack course kit costs approximately 3,000 SEK plus VAT.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Skin Care University IBS delivers a YH-approved vocational education program (Hud- och Spaterapeut) in skin and spa therapy, available full-time (government-funded, tuition-free) and part-time (self-paid). The curriculum can be supplemented with internationally recognized certifications (CIDESCO, ITEC), short specialty courses (LPG, eyelash/brow lifting, gellack), and is delivered alongside an operational student customer clinic where trainees perform supervised treatments to the public.

Product overview

Hudvårdshögskolan IBS (International Beauty School) is a vocational education institution offering a Hud- och Spaterapeut (Skin and Spa Therapist) program as its core product, available in two study formats: full-time (1.3 years) and part-time (2 years). The program leads to a Yrkeshögskoleexamen (vocational higher education diploma) and qualifies graduates for SHR authorization. The core program integrates theoretical coursework (anatomy, dermatology, chemistry, product knowledge, apparatus training, laser treatments, microneedling, entrepreneurship) with practical body and spa treatments, facial and skin care, and hair removal techniques. Optional add-on certifications include international CIDESCO and ITEC examinations, Diplomerad LPG terapeut, Eyelash/Brow Lifting certification, and Cuccio Veneer Gellack training. The school also operates a customer clinic offering reduced-price treatments performed by students, featuring branded treatment protocols using Neostrata, Phytomer, Omega Light LED/IR, IOXO microneedling, LPG, and Aldix Smart Diode laser. A separate injection treatment service is delivered by Victoriakliniken nurses on-site.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Hud- och Spaterapeut yrkesutbildning (Heltid) Full-time YH-approved vocational program in skin and spa therapy, government-funded and tuition-free for the learner, designed for prospective skin and spa therapists in the Stockholm region.
• Hud- och Spaterapeut yrkesutbildning (Deltid) Part-time vocational program in skin and spa therapy offered on a self-paid basis (with installment plans), targeting learners who cannot attend the full-time YH program.
• CIDESCO internationell examen Optional add-on international certification via CIDESCO for students seeking globally recognized esthetician credentials beyond the Swedish YH diploma.
• ITEC internationell examen Optional add-on international certification via ITEC for students seeking globally recognized esthetician credentials beyond the Swedish YH diploma.
• Diplomerad LPG terapeut Short specialty course certifying students in LPG Alliance Endermologie body treatment techniques.
• Certifierad Eyelash/Brow Lifting Short specialty course certifying students in eyelash and brow lifting techniques.
• Cuccio Veneer Gellackutbildning

Quantifiable outcome

• Graduates achieve high employment rates, with most students having employment contracts or clinic openings by their final day of study
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature7 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered minor, secondary and core.

• Skin Concept / CombinalminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 22 August 2023Skin Concept / Combinal partners with the school to offer Eyelash/Brow Lifting certification courses to students at preferential pricing. This is an optional add-on certification course offered outside regular school hours at the supplier's premises.
• Lash Lift Stockholm / Nouveau Lashes & HD BrowsminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 22 August 2023Lash Lift Stockholm / Nouveau Lashes & HD Brows partners with the school to offer Eyelash/Brow Lifting and Keralash (keratin treatment) certification to students at preferential pricing. This is an optional add-on certification course offered outside regular school hours.
• Technovital AB (LPG Alliance distributor)secondaryImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 21 December 2022Technovital AB teaches the optional add-on course 'Diplomerad LPG terapeut' (Diploma LPG Therapist) using LPG's latest ALLIANCE equipment. Students can become certified LPG therapists during their study period. LPG treatments for face and body are performed in the school clinic by certified students. The collaboration provides students with expertise in Endermologie-based celluite reduction, body contouring, and facial rejuvenation.
• ITEC (International Therapy Examination Council)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerITEC is the world's largest beauty and wellness examining organization, founded in 1947 in England. Hudvårdshögskolan is an ITEC-accredited training provider. ITEC examiners visit the school annually to conduct international diploma examinations. Graduates can obtain ITEC Diploma for Beauty Specialists, ITEC Certificate in SPA Treatments, ITEC Diploma in Epilation, and other ITEC credentials enabling employment in 38+ countries. ITEC is approved by the UK government and meets EU EQF requirements.
• CIDESCO (Comité International d'Esthétique et de Cosmétologie)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCIDESCO is an international beauty therapy diploma organization founded in 1946 with headquarters in Zürich, Switzerland. 33 countries from five continents are members. CIDESCO sends a designated examiner to the school 1–2 times per year to conduct both theoretical and practical examinations plus a thesis project. CIDESCO certification enables graduates to work internationally with a globally recognized credential.
• SHR (Sveriges Hudterapeuters Riksorganisation)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSHR is the Swedish national industry organization for authorized skin therapists, founded in 1955. It is the only independent body in Sweden that issues accreditation for skin therapists. SHR conducts annual quality audits of member schools. Graduates from SHR-approved schools can become Authorized Skin Therapists and apply for Gesällbrev (Journeyman Certificate) and Mästarbrev (Master Certificate) through Hantverksrådet. SHR also organizes the annual Hud-och Kosmetik trade fair.
• HBS Nordic AB (Neostrata distributor)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerHBS Nordic AB teaches Neostrata product knowledge, AHA/PHA chemistry, and specialized facial treatment techniques as part of the curriculum. Neostrata is a medically developed skincare brand used throughout the program, including AHA treatments, PHA peels, and retinol-based products. Neostrata is described as the 'older sibling' of Exuviance, with research originating from glycolic and lactobionic acid skincare science.
• Beauty Service Sweden AB (Phytomer distributor)secondaryImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerBeauty Service Sweden AB teaches Phytomer product knowledge and treatment techniques in marine skincare and spa treatments. Phytomer is a French marine skincare brand featuring Oligomer, a concentrated freeze-dried seawater extract with 104 trace elements. Used in facial and body spa treatments throughout the curriculum.
• Astomed Klinikutrustning ABcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerAstomed teaches hair removal with Aldix Smart Diode Laser, IOXO microneedling treatment, and specialized skincare with Omega Light LED/IR mask. Aldix Smart Diode Laser operates at 808nm with built-in 4-degree cooling. IOXO is a CE Medical-approved microneedling pen. Omega Light is a Korean second-generation LED device with 1145 diodes covering multiple therapeutic wavelengths.
• Victoriakliniken / Dr. Charles RandquistcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDr. Charles Randquist, a renowned plastic surgeon and international educator, lectures at the school on medical skincare, plastic surgery, and injection treatments. Students have the unique opportunity to observe live beauty surgeries at the clinic in Saltsjöbaden. Victoriakliniken's nurses perform Botox and filler treatments (Fillers & Botox by licensed nurse) at the school clinic, giving students hands-on observation during patient consultations and treatment outcomes. The school has a close and unique collaboration with Victoriakliniken.
• Scratch of Sweden (Cuccio Veneer)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerScratch of Sweden offers Cuccio Veneer gel lacquer training as an optional weekend course at the school. The course includes theory, product introduction, practical application, removal techniques, color mixing, and decoration. Students receive a product kit (approx. 3,000 SEK) and diploma upon passing. The course is voluntary and available to current and former students.
• Diagnostiskt Center Hud / Dr. Gertrud AhlqvistsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerDr. Gertrud Ahlqvist from Diagnostiskt Center Hud lectures on common medical skin conditions, providing students with dermatological knowledge beyond what beauty-focused programs cover. This collaboration strengthens the medical-grade component of the curriculum.
• Sanna Fransson (Makeup Artist & Authorized Skin Therapist)secondaryImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerSanna Fransson teaches makeup techniques as part of the curriculum, covering day, party, and bridal makeup including primer, correction, eyeshadow techniques, product selection, and color theory. This supports the complete skin therapist education covering both skincare and beauty applications.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• L'Oréal Professionnel Education: Global beauty giant's professional education arm training hairstylists and estheticians worldwide. Comparable in training infrastructure, professional certification programs, and industry positioning, though broader in portfolio than Hudvårdshögskolan's skin-therapy specialization.
• Schwarzkopf Professional Academy: Major professional beauty brand (Henkel-owned) offering training to stylists and beauty professionals globally. Comparable in education structure, industry-credential pathways, and brand-ecosystem approach, though predominantly focused on hair rather than skin therapy.
• Aveda Institute: Global beauty education network owned by Estée Lauder, offering cosmetology and esthetician training across multiple campuses. Comparable in apparatus-based treatments, brand partnerships, and vocational training structure, though broader in scope (including hair, makeup) than Hudvårdshögskolan's skin/spa focus.
• Wella Education: Global professional beauty brand with extensive training programs for stylists, colorists, and beauty professionals. Comparable in professional beauty education scale, certification infrastructure, and brand-driven curriculum design, though broader in hair than Hudvårdshögskolan's skin-therapy specialization.
• Dermalogica Training Academy: Professional skincare brand with extensive global training academy for licensed estheticians using branded treatment protocols. Highly comparable to the Neostrata and Phytomer partnership model at Hudvårdshögskolan, where curriculum is built around specific medically-developed product lines.

Direct peers

• Christine Valmy International: Founded in 1946 and one of the first CIDESCO-affiliated skin therapy schools globally, with similar international scope, esthetician-focused curriculum, and dual-certification positioning. Directly comparable in training mission, regulatory accreditation model, and target audience of career-changers seeking professional skin therapy credentials.
• Babor Beauty Academy: German professional skincare brand with comprehensive training academy for estheticians, directly comparable in scope, branded certification model, and brand-led beauty education approach. Trains skin therapists on proprietary protocols similar to Hudvårdshögskolan's Neostrata and Phytomer partnerships.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses6 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/beautyschoolse

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Skin Care University IBS