What Is An Esthetician?

An esthetician is a skin care specialist. They are trained and educated to perform cosmetic skin treatments to improve the health of your skin and to rejuvenate skin to a more youthful appearance. All states require rigid training and subsequent testing to qualify for a license to perform services. Most states require at least 600 hours of training although the requirements vary by state. An aesthetician may operate independently in a beauty salon, spa or wellness center and may assist a dermatologist. They may also specialize in assisting a cosmetic or plastic surgeon with post surgery healing and minimizing visible scarring.

Esthetician skills. Generally, estheticians deal with cosmetic needs including facials, light chemical peels, masks, microdermabrasion and treatment of more minor forms of acne. More skilled and tenured estheticians may perform more invasive, deeper penetrating chemical peels under the direction of a dermatologist or cosmetic surgeon. A good esthetician is capable of analyzing skin conditions and suggesting viable treatment options utilizing techniques and skin care products specifically formulated for unique conditions. They are expected to suggest at-home regimens to help sustain healthy, younger looking skin. They should be capable of recognizing more serious skin conditions that should be referred to a dermatologist medical doctor.