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The most common task estheticians perform is giving a facial. This can entail a wide variety of services and is catered to the individual customer's needs. Most facials begin with a thorough cleansing of the skin followed by exfoliation to remove dead skin cells. A gentle face massage, lasting between 10 and 20 minutes, encourages relaxation and blood circulation. Following the massage, the customer is usually given a facial mask that is tailored to skin type. Once the mask is washed off, the facial is completed by applying some kind of cream or moisturizer to the skin.
Other possible services included in a facial are skin analysis and the removal or extraction of blackheads. - Another service an esthetician may perform is a body treatment. The process is very similar to that of a facial, only it includes the rest of the skin on the customer's body. Generally, the esthetician would start by cleaning and vigorously exfoliating the skin, usually using some kind of sea salt scrub. The customer then takes a shower to rinse off the salt or exfoliant. Sometimes a massage is offered, which is usually done by a massage therapist. Following the massage, the esthetician applies a body wrap or mask, usually consisting of a special kind of mud and seaweed.
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Some estheticians may be licensed to perform a chemical peel, which involves applying a chemical to the face to cause the top layer of skin to peel off. It is similar to exfoliation but is used to treat more serious topical skin conditions. The resulting effects are more pronounced with chemical peels than with simple exfoliation.
Another service an esthetician may offer is microdermabrasion. In this procedure, a small machine is used to remove the top layer of skin. The rapid release of very fine crystals by the machine can be very effective in treating acne and minor skin blemishes. -
One of the most important parts of an esthetician's job is educating his customers on proper skin care. A well-trained esthetician is able to recognize what each individual needs to maintain healthy skin, and can recommend products to address certain issues, such as oily skin or dry skin.
Although an esthetician cannot medically treat serious conditions, she should be able to recognize problems that require the attention of a dermatologist, such as suspicious moles or skin spots that could be melanoma.
