Beauty Therapist Job Description: Duties & Responsibilities
Aesthetics Daily – A profession that offers large salaries and great opportunities for career growth is a beauty therapist or known also as beautician. Moreover, the beauty and body care industry continues to grow rapidly from year to year. That is, the opportunity to work as a beauty therapist will likely always offer good welfare.
Beauty therapists can work in beauty salons/spa or work alone at home. You can also work in a fitness club, hotel or resort that provides beauty services. But if you want to freelance, you have to invest your funds to buy the various kinds of equipment needed. This will cost a lot of money up front but you will soon enjoy the benefits once your reputation is known.
To become a good beautician, you must complete a level 2 or 3 qualification in beauty therapy. You will learn a variety of different skills from beauty care, health and safety to communications. Some beauty schools offer part-time programs so you can still do other activities.
What is a Beauty Therapist?
Beauty therapists are professionally trained personnel who perform various facial and body treatments. They are certified to provide a wide range of treatments or specialize in certain areas such as facials, waxing, or massage. Whatever treatment they perform, the aesthetic therapist must have a complete understanding of the effect each treatment has on the skin and body.
More than that, beauty therapists also have to master the various products used such as waxes, lotions, facial masks, scrubs, and others. In addition to technical skills, beauty therapists must also master social and communication skills. This is important so that customers feel comfortable during the treatment session from start to finish. So, it’s not just the client’s outward appearance that matters, but also their comfort.
One thing you must understand is that a beauty therapist does not have the authority and capacity to provide medical advice, let alone a diagnosis. This is the duty and responsibility of a general doctor or dermatologist. If customers ask for medical advice, beauty therapists should direct them to see a professional doctor.
Beauty Therapist’s Main Responsibilities
Qualified beauty therapists perform a variety of non-medical facial and body treatments. They are equipped with knowledge about skin physiology, skin biology and cosmetic chemistry. Treatments performed by beauty therapists include massage therapy, manicures and pedicures, facials and hair removal.
1. Evaluating client’s needs
Before getting treatment, customers have a consultation session with a beauty therapist. In this session, the therapist asks a number of questions to clients about the problems they are facing. This is done so that the therapist can understand the customer’s needs.
2. Describing all treatments available
Next, the salon/spa therapist recommends the most appropriate type of beauty treatment. The therapist will explain what benefits the client gets from the treatment. Clients also get an explanation of the treatment steps to be taken.
3. Providing hair removal treatments
There are various hair removal methods that can be performed by beauty therapists, including plucking, electrolysis and hot waxing. Therapists use this method to remove unwanted hair on the client’s body.
4. Performing various skin treatments
The most popular skin treatment that is often offered in salons is the classic facial. This treatment involves cleansing, exfoliating, extracting, masking and moisturizing. The benefits obtained from facials, the skin becomes fresher, healthier and well hydrated.
5. Providing body treatments
Depending on their specialization, skilled beauty therapists perform various massage techniques. Some of the usual massage techniques offered include Swedish massage, deep tissue massage, aromatherapy massage, reflexology, hot stone massage, and shiatsu massage.
6. Providing manicures & pedicures
Manicures and pedicures are one of the favorite treatments at beauty salons. Manicure refers to hand curation and care while pedicure refers to curation and foot care. A beauty therapist can help you strengthen, grow and repair your natural nails.
7. Recommending various beauty products
Apart from providing treatments, the beauty salon has beauty products such as face masks, shampoo, conditioner and scrubs. The beauty therapist must know which product will work best for the client. They recommend products according to their needs.
8. Cleaning & sterilizing beauty equipment
Therapists must ensure that the beauty salon/spa follows high hygiene standards to prevent cross contamination. In addition to the overall cleanliness of the salon environment, the therapist must also pay attention to the cleanliness of salon equipment such as combs, hair clippers and makeup brushes.
9. Learning the latest beauty care methods
The beauty industry is very dynamic. The variety of the latest beauty treatment techniques makes beauty therapists must be able to adapt to beauty trends. They can learn new treatment techniques through workshops or training which are usually held by institutions or companies in the beauty industry.
10. Improving customer service skills
To be able to provide the best service, beauty therapists must master good social and communication skills. This is important so that customers feel comfortable during the treatment from start to finish. In addition, the therapist must also have a friendly personality, easy to get along with anyone.
Summary
Working in a beauty salon or spa is a dream for most therapists. However, to get that dream job, job seekers, especially those who are still fresh graduates, must gain more experience. While experienced beauty therapists apart from maintaining a stable career also need to constantly update their skills and knowledge especially in the wellness industry.