What Is An Esthetician?
What's The Difference Between An Esthetician And A Medical Esthetician?
What is an Esthetician?
Estheticians, also known as Skin Care Specialists can assess the condition of a client’s skin and make recommendations on what can be done to improve skin quality or address concerns. Estheticians perform a multitude of services that rejuvenate the skin, maintain the appearance of, and promote healthy skin. They do this using a variety of techniques for example, cleansing, exfoliating, and moisturizing the skin with various types of products and instruments. Estheticians perform these techniques through a variety of services like facials, body wraps, chemical peels, microdermabrasion, waxing, and treatments that address specific skin problems. Estheticians can also provide a skin regimen to maintain healthy skin.
What Is A Medical Esthetician?
Individuals who complete a Masters Esthetics program (the highest level of esthetics programs) are classified as a Medical Estheticians in terms of formal education.
What Is Medical Esthetics?
Medical esthetics, also referred to as Paramedical Esthetics incorporates a philosophy similar to traditional spa esthetics, and even involves many of the same approaches in developing and maintaining healthy skin. The primary difference is where the service is performed. A medical esthetician can work in a clinical setting alongside medical professionals who may recommend non-invasive skin care procedures for medical purposes, or for strictly cosmetic reasons. Conversely, a medical esthetician may work in a non-medical environment. However, it is important to note, the types of services in a non-medical environment will be limited to what the state permits under non-medical management.
Depending on the type of organization where the esthetician works and the level of education he or she has, more advanced services may be offered. One can get an idea of the estheticians expertise by inquiring about the hours of schooling he or she underwent.
Esthetics Education
All states require estheticians to complete a formal education before they can qualify for state licensure. Individuals who want to learn about esthetics and become licensed enroll in a school that offers an esthetics program, and then upon completion of the formal schooling, the individul must complete a State Board Exam to become licensed.
Levels Of Esthetics Programs
There are different levels of esthetics programs. The programs are similar to a formal university education in terminology of degrees and how they progress: Associates degree, Bachelors degree, Masters degree, and PhD. The following outline illustrates the various levels of schooling Christina Kingsley underwent; where she completed the 1200-Hour Medical Esthetics Program, thus earning a degree in Medical Esthetics.
- 300 HOUR ESTHETICS PROGRAM
- The Esthetics program is designed to prepare the student for a State Board of Cosmetology Examination in Esthetics. This program provides the student with necessary basic information, as required by the State, to operate as an entry-level esthetician performing American or European Facial treatments, make-up artistry, and hot wax depilation techniques.
- 600 HOUR ADVANCED ESTHETICS PROGRAM
- The Advanced Esthetics program is designed to prepare the student to perform comprehensive facial esthetic services. It provides proficiency in esthetic treatments, like collagen blanket, vitamin C, and 4-layer facials. Glycolic and TCA peel applications, ultrasonic and EMS Compu-Lift treatments, advanced extraction techniques, and continued age management.
- 900 HOUR ACCELERATED ADVANCED ESTHETICS PROGRAM
- The Accelerated Advanced Esthetics program is designed to provide an overview of what can be expected in an advanced clinical setting. Students develop an understanding of advanced acne and age management treatments as well as corrective makeup. The program also prepares the student to perform total body esthetic services. Relaxation, exfoliation, and detoxification body treatments are combined with all aspects of facial esthetic treatment theory.
- 1200 HOUR MEDICAL ESTHETICS PROGRAM
- The Medical Esthetics program bridges the gap between esthetic theory and treatment. Students learn advanced facial treatments including dermaplaning, microdermabrasion, and laser hair reduction procedures. In addition, the program educates the students about skin care product ingredient lists and their correlation to skin cell repair and rejuvenation.