Information on Becoming an Esthetician
Estheticians--cosmetologists with training in skin care--help people increase their self-esteem by improving their appearance. They counsel clients on the proper care of the skin and help them select appropriate care products. Many people are drawn to a career as an esthetician because most programs require less than a year to complete and the career options are broad.
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Education
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Students entering esthetics school should have either a high school diploma or a GED equivalency. Most states require that students complete 600 hours of training in an approved program. Some states allow hours worked as an apprentice under a licensed, experienced esthetician to substitute for hours in the classroom. When choosing a school, students should look for one with a good reputation that meets the minimum state standards. Most schools will allow potential students to visit and take a tour of the facility and the equipment before making a determination. Courses should cover anatomy and physiology of the skin, skin-care theory and basic chemistry. Students should receive practical hands-on training in how to perform facials, body waxing, body scrubs and wraps, eyebrow tinting and makeup application.
Licensing
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After completing school, estheticians take a state written and practical exam for licensing. Once awarded the license, the esthetician must keep the license current by complying with state requirements, such as paying to renew the license periodically and completing continuing education classes. An esthetician should pursue licensing in the state where she intends to work.
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Careers
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An esthetician can follow many different career paths. Most estheticians find work in a spa or salon setting where they provide basic facial services and makeup applications. Medical estheticians work in physicians' offices and offer advanced services like chemical peels, microdermabrasion and laser treatments. Some burn units employ estheticians to teach patients how to care for their skin and apply camouflage makeup to conceal scars. Estheticians specializing in makeup do work for photography, television and film. Though estheticians can choose to work as contractors or employees in either part-time or full-time positions, they usually need to be available both evenings and weekends.
Traits
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Estheticians work well with their hands and have nurturing personalities that allow them to relax clients. They should be detail-oriented and have an eye for facial structure and color. To apply makeup and groom eyebrows, they should have some artistic talent. Most clients will see an esthetician's personal appearance as a reflection of her skills, so she should be well-groomed. Interpersonal skills will play a large role in success, since estheticians need to develop a rapport with people of all personality types to build a clientele.
Money
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Many esthetician schools offer financing programs and may be eligible for financial aid. Prices for schools can go into the thousand of dollars. An esthetician's apprentice earns money while acquiring the training necessary to become a licensed esthetician. In 2008, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics expected estheticians to see a growth of almost 38 percent because of the popularity of skin-care treatments for relaxation and medical benefits. The average esthetician can expect to earn about $32,000 per year, with the highest earnings going to those working in the medical aspects of the career.
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References
- Photo Credit MakeUp image by Mat Hayward from Fotolia.com
