Aesthetician Job Description, Responsibilities & Qualifications
Aesthetics Daily – Increasingly, women and men are paying attention to the health of their skin. To get healthier and more shiny skin they go to a beauty salon or an aesthetic clinic. They are looking for dedicated professionals to help them improve their skin.
Professionals who have expertise in skin treatments are aestheticians. Aestheticians are also often found collaborating with dermatologists and plastic surgeons. Aestheticians can also become business owners by opening their own beauty salon or spa.
What is an Aesthetican?
Known as skin care specialists, aestheticans are those who work in an aesthetic or skin clinic with cosmetic tools and products. Facial treatment is the most common part of an aesthetician’s job. Apart from that, they also perform various other beauty treatments including massage, waxing, chemical peels, and scrubs.
Their work ranges from performing cosmetic treatment methods to providing information and advice based on skin type and condition. These professionals usually work in beauty salons or spas, health clinics or aesthetic clinics.
Each state has different licensing terms. However, usually the license requirements include formal aesthetic instruction or apprenticeship training as well as written and practical testing.
How to Become an Aesthetician?
1. Get formal training at a cosmetology school
Before aestheticians can be licensed, they must receive formal training from a state-approved aesthetic program. Studies can focus on facials, chemical treatments, skin analysis, skin diseases, makeup application, waxing and more.
Programs are usually available at cosmetology schools or vocational training schools. Each state has its own requirements so it is important for prospective students to check with the cosmetology board. This is done to ensure a program meets licensing requirements.
2. Get a license
In order to carry out their work, aestheticians must be licensed in aesthetics by a state cosmetology board. General requirements include graduation from approved schools and written and practical examinations.
Some cosmetology board allow estheticians to replace formal education with apprenticeship training to meet licensing requirements.
3. Continue education
Aestheticians need continuing education to renew their license. They continue their education through advanced courses covering more specific topics. Conferences and workshops can also meet continuing education standards.
Aesthetician Tasks & Responsibilities
Aestheticians do not diagnose and treat medical conditions or skin diseases. In contrast, aesthetician work focuses only on skin care related to health and beauty in general.
However, their training allows them to detect skin problems that may need medical attention. Next, they will advise clients to see a dermatologist or other medical professional.
Apart from the use of oils, creams, masks, ointments, and lotions, estheticians use mechanical and medical devices to perform various procedures. Some of the devices used by aestheticians include laser machines, intensed pulse light (IPL) devices, paraffin heaters, LED light therapy machines, microdermabrasion machines, and many more. To be able to use these tools, estheticians may need further training.
In general, aestheticians are required to be proficient and adept at doing the following jobs:
- Welcoming clients in a friendly and warm manner, accompanying clients to and from the treatment room,
- Interviewing clients to find out their needs including skin type and condition,
- Providing various kinds of skin care,
- Performing facial extraction to remove comedones like whiteheads and blackheads,
- Performing facial and scalp massage for therapeutic and relaxing purposes,
- Removing unwanted hair using waxing or laser machine,
- Fulfilling appointments on time,
- Applying facial makeup.
Aesthetician Qualifications
In order to fulfill their job duties and responsibilities, aestheticians need some special skills. They must complete a cosmetology or aesthetic training program to practice in the field. These programs usually vary from state to state.
In most programs, aestheticians will take classroom lessons and practical training in skin care techniques. Education and training requirements differ between employers. However most require a high school diploma or GED and a state license.
Aestheticians are people-oriented individuals with a high level of patience and attention to detail. Some of the expected criteria include:
- Attention to detail. Aestheticians perform a number of procedures that require high precision such as hair removal, facials, chemical peels and others.
- Technical skills. To be able to perform beauty treatments, estheticians must have the necessary knowledge and skills. The level of expertise and work efficiency of aestheticians is determined by their experience.
- Safety knowledge. Aestheticians regularly use tools including medical supplies and chemicals. Therefore, it is important for the esthetician to understand safety procedures and how to clean and disinfect tools.
- Medical knowledge. Aestheticians understand the different types of skin and how to treat them properly. When working in a beauty clinic or doctor’s office, an aesthetician assists a dermatologist or medical professional in dealing with clients.
- Interpersonal skills. In doing their job, aestheticians will meet many people, not only clients but also colleagues. In addition to the ability to understand client needs, estheticians must be able to work in teams.
