Massage Therapist & Aesthetician Job Responsibilities & Qualifications
The work of a massage therapist is to massage customers for therapeutic and remedial purposes. They gently massage different pressure points in the body to ease the tension in the client's body using oils, creams and lotions. The work of an aesthetician is to apply different types of skin treatments on clients such as facials, body massages, waxing and laser hair removal.
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Compensation/Salary
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Massage therapists earn around $16 an hour while an aesthetician earns about $15 an hour. They both work in spas, massage parlors, salons, health clubs and hotels. The salary goes up depending on the number of years of work experience and the level of qualifications.
Job Outlook
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Most massage therapists and aestheticians tend to lean toward self-employment especially after attaining over ten years of work experience. One can open up his/her own beauty shop that provides massages and skin treatments.
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Educational Qualifications
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To become a massage therapist one needs to get formal training, which is offered in massage therapy training colleges. The duration of the courses range from 6 months to 12 months. Some of the courses taught include physiology, anatomy, hygiene, business ethics and management and pathology. One also has to get a license from the State Board in order to practice. An aesthetician is also required to have formal training and obtain state certification in order to work.
Responsibilities and Duties
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The work of a massage therapist is to apply oils, creams or lotions to the client's body and then proceed to knead, stroke and rub the area being massaged. The massage therapists use their hands, elbows and equipment to relax the client's muscles, stimulate their blood flow and help them feel relaxed and rejuvenated. The work of an aesthetician is to know how to apply different skin treatments on clients in a safe and relaxing manner.
Working Conditions
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A massage therapist and esthetician should have excellent customer service skills. Massage therapists and aestheticians have to be willing to work odd hours and sometimes long, taxing hours as clients may want to use their services at different times of the day. It is also important for the massage therapist and aesthetician to be willing to work with different types of people, have great customer care skills and be discreet.
Skills Required
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It is important for a massage therapist or aesthetician to have good management skills as well as great customer care skills. It is important to give great service in order to retain clients. The person should also be friendly and outgoing.
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References
- Photo Credit massage therapist at work image by MAXFX from Fotolia.com customer service image by Kurhan from Fotolia.com
