A career as an esthetician is all about maintaining beautiful skin at any age. Estheticians work with various techniques and products to improve and maintain healthy skin, from skin care treatments such as facials or peels to makeup application and product advice.
Working in skincare can be an enriching career, whether you’re pampering clients and helping to boost confidence in a spa, or offering effective treatments to patients with skin conditions in a medical setting.
Estheticians focus on the outer layer of skin, applying minimally invasive treatments, including facial massage, chemical peels, laser treatments, etc. Some estheticians specialize in makeup application, including eyelash tinting and permanent makeup. Additional services such as facial massage or aromatherapy may be part of an esthetician’s work.
An esthetician may work in a salon, a spa, or a private skincare clinic. Medical estheticians usually earn higher salaries due to their experience in more complex procedures, like Botox and laser hair removal.
Estheticians work in many different environments alongside seasoned professionals. Gravity, skin conditions, and illnesses can dull our skin and potentially lower our confidence level. As an esthetician, you will advise clients on the best course of action for helping minimize the appearance of scar tissue, burns, acne scars, and naturally aging skin.
Job Outlook
When you’re starting out as an esthetician, you may be working long hours while you gain experience, but it’s a career with a lot of flexibility – 32% of cosmetologists work part-time. You are likely to be working evenings and weekends, as this is when many clients will be available for treatments.
There’s a range of possible job options open to you when you train as an esthetician. You may find work in a salon or spa, in a holiday resort, on cruise ships, or train for a position in a medical environment. There are also opportunities to work with makeup companies, or in a product sales role.
The career outlook for estheticians is good. The salon industry is predicted to grow over the next decade, with beauty jobs of all kinds increasing by 2030.
Make it Happen
Education
To work as an esthetician in the United States, you must be licensed, which means gaining an Esthetician license from a beauty school. An Esthetician licensure/license will involve training in skincare techniques with a curriculum based on scientific studies. Students will learn body polishing, facial massage, hair removal, and a combination of written and practical applications.
Experience
Although you are likely to gain hands-on experience in student salons at beauty school when you are studying for your license, on-the-job experience once you leave school is invaluable. If you are continuing your training as a medical esthetician, you will be working with experienced practitioners to pick up new techniques and methods.
Skills & Attributes
An Interest in Skin Science
This job is all about the skin, and a good esthetician will need a solid understanding of how the skin is structured, how it works, and how it repairs itself and ages. You will learn much of this information at beauty school, but you will need an ongoing interest in skin science, keeping up with the latest discoveries and products.
Presentation
Personal grooming is important for an esthetician. Take pride in your appearance and always dress your best. In the salon workplace, you may have to wear a tunic and be well-presented to give clients confidence in the hygiene and safety of your work.
Creativity
Having extensive knowledge of scientific formulations and concepts is essential and ideal if you have a knack for creatively applying makeup. You will need a steady hand and deft fingers for techniques such as eyelash extensions and permanent makeup.
People Skills
An esthetician works one-on-one with people all day long, and the rewards of the job come from this close interaction. You will need to be a good listener and have a high level of tactfulness and sensitivity, especially if you plan to train as a medical esthetician.
Sales Skills
Product sales are an important revenue source for a salon or self-employed esthetician. You will need to recommend suitable products for your clients, guiding them in what is best for their skin type and lifestyle.
Stamina
Although you may be able to carry out some skincare treatments seated, this job also involves standing for long periods during the working day, so good health and stamina are important. You will need to maintain a professional and friendly manner from opening to closing time.
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