Founded in 1968 and affiliated with 13 schools, The Chicago Cosmetologists Association, Inc. – CIDESCO Section United States of America is the first stop in DERMASCOPE’s aesthetic journey around the world. Led by the president of this section, Lydia Sarfati, CIDESCO USA shares their vision of the aesthetic industry.

Lydia Sarfati is the founder and CEO of Repêchage, as well as the author of two books. As president of CIDESCO Section USA, Sarfati works to elevate professional standards in aesthetics education and the beauty industry by expanding the CIDESCO certificate program to the United States, creating partnerships with aesthetics platforms.

Are there any current events or news in your country that is impacting the industry?

“The global pandemic continues to impact the beauty industry in the United States. One particular way is that many aesthetics schools have shut down, leading to the solution of remote and online learning.

In 2020, the International SPA Association (ISPA) and CIDESCO entered a collaboration to elevate and celebrate careers in the global spa industry. CIDESCO USA has also invited 3,500 aesthetics schools in the United States to engage in CIDESCO certification programs.

As an added value, online CIDESCO courses provide the opportunity to acquire continuing education credits towards individual state board requirements. These initiatives are working towards establishing the CIDESCO certification as the most trusted, highest-quality aesthetics education in the United States, providing credentials that assure the utmost in excellence in aesthetics training.

Additional trends that have emerged in the United States in 2020 due to restrictions engaged by the health crisis include:

• increase in sales in hand-held skin care devices
• unidose, single-use aesthetic treatment kits
• at-home peels
• cellulite creams
• false eyelashes”

What would you say your general statement of purpose for the industry is?

“It is CIDESCO Section USA’s mission to certify schools that provide exceptional service and treatments for the consumer, as well as to uphold the highest standards of sanitation and sterilization. CIDESCO International has created a free course that provides an examination to provide a CIDESCO international award for achievement of these standards.”

What are your section’s plans to continue its position and/or aspirations for the future?

“CIDESCO USA continues to certify spas to become partners in CIDESCO certification and have solicited over 3,500 facilities to participate to date. Through the International SPA Association (ISPA) and CIDESCO collaboration, they are also working with manufacturers to become associate partners for the CIDESCO USA initiatives to continue to develop higher standards within the industry.”

What distinctions of the section is contributing to the betterment of the beauty industry?

“CIDESCO Section USA continues to develop and implement the highest standards in education and certifications for the spa industry, working to completely reinvigorate the educational standards for licensed professionals in the beauty industry, including nail care, skin care, and massage professionals. In addition, the branch will continue to deliver important collaborative initiatives with beauty industry organizations such as ISPA and the development of collaborations with the ASCP.”

For more information, please call 312-321-6809, e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or visit cidesco-usa.com.