What does an Esthetician Do?
SDBA
Signature Design Beauty Academy mission is to provide a program of study for students in the field of general cosmetology, nail technology, natural hair and senior instructor. SDBA challenges each student to develop their potential and to provide the basic skills necessary to pass the Tennessee State Board.
If you’re interested in skincare or been researching beauty schools, you’ve probably heard the term “esthetician” thrown around. You might even know that an esthetician is a skincare and skin beauty specialist. But, what does an esthetician do?
Still, with such a broad definition you may be wondering what they do. What are their daily tasks? What tools do they use? Where do they work? How do they become estheticians in the first place?
An Esthetician’s Day-to-Day
An esthetician is licensed to provide specialized skin care treatments such as…
- Facials.
- Skin mapping.
- Hair removal.
- Exfoliation.
- Skin peels.
- Lip renewing treatments.
In addition to skin care, they also apply makeup and make recommendations about skin care routines. Moreover, some states will allow estheticians with extra certifications to perform services like lash extensions and microdermabrasion.
It’s important to note that estheticians are far more specialized in skin care than the average cosmetologist. While the average cosmetologist learns basic skin care as part of their broad education, an esthetician narrows that focus exclusively to what concerns the skin.
How Do You Become an Esthetician?
To become an esthetician, you need to complete an esthetician training program then take the licensing exam for your state. A good esthetician program should come from an accredited institution and cover all the skills you’ll need to complete your day-to-day duties.
Additionally, the program should cover anatomy and science about the skin, safety and sanitation skills, salon management, customer service, and retail sales. While the bulk of an esthetician’s knowledge should be about the skin and skin care, it’s also important to learn how to manage their work, how to clean up after clients, and information about products on the skincare market.
What Does an Esthetician do with their Esthetician License?
Though the broad strokes of an esthetician’s job remain the same wherever they work, the work is more diverse than you might think. The majority of estheticians work in spas and salons, giving relaxing and cleansing facials for clients looking to unwind. On occasion, these spas will exist on resorts or cruise ships—perfect for someone with a sense of adventure. Some also work as makeup artists for special events or on film sets. Those who are more inclined towards helping might work in a physician’s office or a medical spa, helping patients with specific skin conditions. These estheticians usually work in plastic surgery or dermatology, preparing patients for recovery or assisting with specific procedures.
In the U.S., most estheticians make around $17.55 an hour, though they can get paid as much as $31.06 and as little as $10.99. Usually, the estheticians who make the most money are experienced specialists who work with physicians. Even if you don’t see yourself working with doctors, however, you should note that estheticians are in high demand right now. The Bureau of Labor Statistics anticipates esthetician employment to rise by 17% by 2029, which is much higher than average professions.
Do You Want to Become an Esthetician?
Whether you want to travel the world, work in film, help those in need, or just work in skin care, an esthetician may be a viable path for you. It’s a lucrative and fulfilling career path for anyone with a passion for makeup and skin care.
But you might be wondering if you have what it takes. What kind of person does well as an esthetician? Estheticians work with the skin, so of course they need to be good with the people that skin belongs too. If you enjoy working with others and/or being social on the job, you’ll probably be more comfortable in this line of work than someone who prefers working alone.
Though there is some degree of creativity involved with the makeup side of things, you’ll also need a mind for science. In particular, if you like learning niche scientific facts or studying anatomy, you’ll probably enjoy what you need to learn as an esthetician. Independence and a desire for helping people will also make you a better fit for the job.
Some other skills that help in this line of work include…
- Organizational skills.
- Flexibility.
- Communication skills.
- Customer service skills.
- Physical stamina.
- Time management skills.
If you possess these skills or feel confident you could acquire them, then you’re already one step closer to becoming an esthetician.
Conclusion
If you’re thinking about what to do after high school or want a change in career, then consider aesthetics! You could indulge in a love for skin care and makeup with the comforts of strong job security and flexible scheduling.
We at Signature Design Beauty Academy are more than happy to help you pursue this goal. To learn more about our esthetician program and/or connect with an advisor, visit the page for our aesthetics program.