Becoming an Aesthetician
Majors Overview November 14, 2012This article will give you brief information on how to become an aesthetician including all the educational requirements, training as well as information on licensure and the work experience needed for you to start a career in aesthetics.
Estheticians or aestheticians serves as cosmetology professional that are licensed and their primary duties include cleaning and treating human skin. This typically include various responsibilities like massages, waxes, facials, and chemical peels. The places that typically employ aesthetician professionals includes: salons, spas, and medical facilities.
The requirements of being a licensed aesthetician differ with respect to each state’s regulations and rules though the typical ones include undertaking the apprenticeship training as well as formal aesthetics. The most common requirements of becoming a licensed aesthetician are compiled in the following table based on the report released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
| Common Requirements | |
| Key skills: | Stamina, customer service skills |
| Licensure and certification: | You are required a state issued license |
| Degree Field: | Cosmetology/aesthetics |
| Degree Level: | Certificate |
Step 1: Obtain Basic Training in Cosmetology
It is a requirement that any student who wants to become a licensed aesthetician should acquire basic training from an aesthetic program that is approved by the state. You can find such programs in cosmetology schools or community colleges. The program consists of approximately six hundred hours of both practical and technical training. The necessary training involve students focusing on different skin diseases, skin conditions, waxing, chemical treatments, skin analysis, machine and manual facials, as well as makeup application. You can take apprenticeship program as an alternative to traditional education.
Step 2: Obtain Licensure
A state cosmetology board license is ideal for you to become a certified professional aesthetician. To obtain this license, students will be required to graduate from an approved school and pass both practical and written exams. With some cosmetology boards, students can obtain apprenticeship training as an alternative to traditional aesthetics education.
Step 3: Think of Becoming a Master Aesthetician
Once you obtain a license in aesthetics, you can consider furthering your studies by pursuing a master in aesthetics. This training involves completing six hundred hours of advanced training in aesthetics. This entails going through more medical-focused aesthetics training and the courses includes: ant-aging treatments, lymph drainage, chemical exfoliation, microdermabrasion, physiology, as well as anatomy.
Step 4: Continue Education
In order for both the basic and master aestheticians to renew their licenses, some states require that they should continue their education. This will be achieved through taking advanced courses that deals with topics such as lymphatic massage as well as spray tanning. In addition, attending conferences and workshops can serve as an alternative to continuing their education. Continuing education will not only help aestheticians renew their licenses, but encourage them to learn new skills and techniques. You can join any professional organization to have an upper hand in aesthetics career. Such organizations include Associated Skin Care Professional, Aesthetics International Association, and others.
Aesthetician and Skin Care Statistics
Top Schools with Aesthetician and Skin Care Programs
| School Name | Tuition | Size | Degrees Granted | Degrees Granted By Type |
| Florida Career College – Miami Miami, FL |
$16,744 | 5,233 | 280 | Certificate (280) |
| Marinello Beauty Los Angeles, CA |
Unknown | 2,143 | 193 | Certificate (193) |
| Catherine Hinds Esthetics Woburn, MA |
Unknown | 229 | 185 | Certificate (185) |
| Aveda Institute – Minneapolis Minneapolis, MN |
Unknown | 554 | 174 | Certificate (174) |
| Florida College of Natural Health – Pompano Beach Pompano Beach, FL |
Unknown | 291 | 149 | Certificate (116), Associate (33) |
| International School of Skin, Nailcare & Massage Therapy Atlanta, GA |
Unknown | 284 | 138 | Certificate (138) |
| Douglas J Aveda Institute East Lansing, MI |
Unknown | 444 | 124 | Certificate (124) |
| Atelier Esthetics New York, NY |
Unknown | Unknown | 117 | Certificate (117) |
| Michigan College of Beauty – Troy Troy, MI |
Unknown | 331 | 109 | Certificate (109) |
| Marinello Beauty – San Diego San Diego, CA |
Unknown | 593 | 108 | Certificate (108) |
