Estheticians, also called skin care therapists, work at salons, day spas, and medi-spas. Estheticians are trained in the cosmetic treatment of the skin. They perform various cosmetic procedures including facials, body treatments, and waxing. Most estheticians offer a variety of specialty spa treatments.
All estheticians must be licensed in the state that they are working in. They complete 260 to 600 hours of training (depending on the state) and pass both a written and a practical, or hands-on, exam.
A good esthetician also completes many hours of post-graduate education, and strives to stay abreast of the latest developments in skin care.
Estheticians are not medical doctors so they can't diagnose skin conditions, prescribe medications, or suggest treatment for any skin condition outside of cosmetic products. They can however, perform treatment complementary to a doctor's treatment. Some estheticians may work closely with dermatologists, either in-office or through a referral system.
Find an Esthetician through Associated Skin Care Professionals
Source:
Gerson, Joel; Ph.D.. Standard Textbook for Professional Estheticians. 8th edition. Albany, NY: Milady Publishing, 1999.
