Job Description of an Esthetician
An esthetician provides special care to client's skin. This professional's objective is to improve the skin appearance and, as a result, the client's overall look. Estheticians can also catch serious skin problems and refer clients to proper medical personnel. Estheticians are important because they not only provide skin treatments, they also advise clients on how to care for their skin on a regular basis.
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Description
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An esthetician provides skin treatments to the face and body in order to enhance a client's personal appearance. They provide facials, full body treatments, neck and head massages, and apply makeup. They can also remove hair through waxing or, when properly trained, laser technology. Estheticians are also known as aestheticians, skin care therapists, skin care specialists, spa technicians, skin care technicians, medical esthetician, or nurse esthetician.
Hours and Environment
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Estheticians work in clean and sterile environments. They must frequently sterilize equipment and organize their environment for safety and work efficiency. They may also wash their hands frequently or wear gloves, depending on the procedure. Some estheticians work in spas where the atmosphere is calm and pleasant, often with relaxing background music. Other estheticians work in salons, but are often placed in private rooms. Estheticians are known to work evenings and weekends. They may stand on their feet for long periods or may have the option to sit, depending on the treatment they are providing. They can work fulltime or part-time. Some estheticians work more than 40 hours a week.
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Education and Training
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A high school diploma or GED certificate is required to practice and often required to get into a cosmetology school, with the exception of programs that offer classes during high school and licensure testing during or immediately after graduation. Licensure is mandatory and must be achieved through going into a cosmetology program. When attended fulltime, a cosmetology program takes nine months to complete. A student must be at least 16 years old to be eligible for a license. The licensing examination may include a written test, an oral portion, and practical testing, such as styling. Many states offer a separate examination for skin care specialists. An esthetician may also continue advanced training upon achieving proper licensure in order to accommodate the requirements of a salon or gain a competitive edge within the industry. On-the-job training may also occur in order to learn the specifications of an employer's salon or spa.
Other Qualifications
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A skin care specialists requires customer service, as well as personal service. Face-to-face interaction occurs between employee and client, so the ability to comuniate and listen well are important for a skin care specialist. Time management is also important. Manual dexterity and arm steadiness are vital in order to effectively perform esthetician duties.
Earnings
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According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook, an esthetician's median wage is $13.81 hourly and $28,730 annually. The precise rate vareies with state, location, training and experience.
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References
- Photo Credit taliesin: morguefile.com
