Interview with Dr. Christian Rimpler

Managing Director
Dr. Rimpler GmbH

Dr. Rimpler, you were chairman of the VCP (Association of Cosmetic Professionals) for 12 years. At its general meeting this year, you were awarded the golden VCP pin for your services and dedication.

Can you briefly explain the goals of the VCP?

The VCP was founded as an industry association in order to publicise the basis of the business idea of professional cosmetics on the one hand and to promote and ensure outstanding quality in products, treatment and consulting on the other. In doing so, we do not compete with other industry associations that have direct advantages and benefits in mind for their members, nor do we compete with mere cosmetic associations of institutes. In both senses, we maintain intensive contacts and help each other. For example, we have an excellent partnership with the VKE, which even provides us with the infrastructure of the headquarters in Berlin, as well as excellent relations with the IKW, with whom we maintain an exceptional exchange in the field of raw materials and product documentation, etc. We have also always sought contacts with cosmetics associations in recent years and are in sound exchange with the current associations.

Your primary concern is "professional skin care". How do you define this?

I view service cosmetics as a contribution to modern health care, and that is why we are watching developments very closely, especially in training. With the introduction of dual training and, most recently, the establishment of the master cosmetician, service has moved very close to the craft. If it is now made very easy for the hairdresser to do his master in cosmetology at the same time, this development does not exactly fill me with optimism in terms of quality, however, so that the establishment of an auxiliary profession in cosmetology continues to raise thoughts.

What is your vision?

A cosmetician should be able to make a living from the service he or she provides and, with standardised training throughout Germany, is positioned at the same level as a nurse, physiotherapist, etc. in terms of image. Here, it is important to raise further potentials in the service sector, which can already be found, for example, in the field of apparative cosmetics or nutritional counselling.

How do you assess the market development of professional skin care?

With the demographic development and the prosperity of the western world, there are hardly any limits in the field of healthy ageing. That's why I firmly believe that, although the service can be supported by digital tools, the analysis, advice and treatment will still be carried out by a real person for the foreseeable future, who at the same time can show empathy towards the client. Therefore, I basically foresee a very positive development.

How has the pandemic influenced developments in the skin care market?

There was a clear move towards online purchasing, as this was the only way to meet current demand. If the end consumer has now discovered this channel for themselves for reasons of convenience, the specialist institute only has the following alternative: either to continue supplying the end customer with online service itself and/or to win back the consumer with great consultation competence and keep them loyal. The hybrid model is probably the short-term solution, and not only for electromobility. 

Your successor at the VCP is Dr Drees, Babor. What do you wish both him and the VCP for the future?

I was able to win Dr. Drees as my successor some time ago because I am convinced that with his competence he will be able to continue and further expand the path we have taken. It was with great pleasure that I was able to follow the commitment of the entire Executive Board in recent months, which was certainly a special challenge in these difficult times. Therefore, my very personal wish for Dr. Drees is that the voluntary workload will calm down a bit again. Otherwise I would have a guilty conscience in retrospect.

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