17 Medical Aesthetician Interview Questions and Answers

A medical aesthetician is a skincare specialist who works in a medical setting, such as a dermatologist’s office, plastic surgeon’s office, or medspa. As a medical aesthetician, you will provide treatments to improve your patients’ skin health and appearance. You will also educate your patients on how to care for their skin at home.

To become a medical aesthetician, you will need to complete a training program and pass a state licensing exam. Once you are licensed, you will be able to find a job in a medical setting. However, you may need to interview for the job before you are hired.

In this guide, you will find a list of medical aesthetician interview questions and answers. You can use these questions and answers to prepare for your next job interview.

Are you certified or licensed in the field of aesthetics?

Employers may ask this question to make sure you have the proper credentials for working in a medical aesthetician role. If you are not certified or licensed, consider taking classes and getting your certification before applying for jobs.

Example: “I am currently pursuing my certification as an esthetician through the National Aesthetic Association. I plan on completing the course by the end of the year, which is why I am looking for a new position. My previous employer was very understanding about me going back to school to get my certification.”

What are some of the most common skin conditions you’ve treated in your previous job?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to get an idea of your experience and expertise. It’s important to be honest about what you have treated in the past, but it can also be helpful to mention some common skin conditions that are unique to the area where you’re interviewing.

Example: “In my previous job, I saw many patients with acne, rosacea and eczema. These three conditions were among the most common I encountered, however, there was one patient who had vitiligo, which is when patches of skin lose their pigment. This condition is rare, so I was happy to treat this patient and help them find relief from their symptoms.”

How would you describe the role of a medical aesthetician in a dermatology practice?

This question helps the interviewer understand your knowledge of the role and responsibilities of a medical aesthetician. Use examples from your experience to describe what you do in your current or previous job as a medical aesthetician.

Example: “A medical aesthetician is an important member of a dermatology practice because they help patients feel more confident about their appearance by providing cosmetic services like facials, microdermabrasion and chemical peels. I enjoy working with patients who are looking for ways to improve their skin’s health and appearance. In my last position, I worked alongside two other medical aestheticians, one physician assistant and three physicians.”

What is your process for preparing a treatment area for a patient?

This question can help the interviewer understand your work ethic and how you approach a new patient. Your answer should include steps that show attention to detail, an ability to follow instructions and a willingness to learn from others.

Example: “I always start by washing my hands thoroughly with antibacterial soap. Then I clean the treatment area with alcohol or another disinfectant before putting on gloves. Next, I make sure all of my equipment is ready for use, including any tools or supplies needed for the procedure. Finally, I ask the patient if they have any questions about what we’re going to do.”

Provide an example of a time when you had to educate a patient about the proper care and treatment of their skin.

This question can help the interviewer determine how you communicate with patients and your ability to educate them about their skin care. Use examples from previous jobs or experiences where you had to explain a patient’s treatment plan in detail, including what they should expect during each stage of their treatment.

Example: “When I worked at my last job as an aesthetician, I often had to educate patients on proper skin care before performing any treatments. One time, I had a patient who was interested in getting Botox injections but didn’t know much about the procedure. I explained that there are different types of Botox injections, such as forehead wrinkles, crow’s feet and lip lines. I also told her about the recovery process after receiving the injection and how long it would take for her to see results.”

If a patient was already using a product that you did not believe was effective, how would you approach them about switching products?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you would handle a challenging situation with a patient. Your answer should show that you are willing to have difficult conversations and can do so in a respectful way.

Example: “I would first ask them why they chose that product, and if it was because of a recommendation from someone else. If they chose the product themselves, I would explain my reasoning for suggesting another one. For example, I might say that while their current product is effective for some people, it may not be right for them based on their skin type or other factors. I would also offer to give them samples of the new products so they could try them out before making a decision.”

What would you do if a patient was experiencing severe redness and irritation after a chemical peel?

This question can help interviewers assess your ability to handle challenging situations and make decisions that benefit patients. In your answer, you should describe the steps you would take to address this situation and how you would ensure it does not happen again with future clients.

Example: “If a client was experiencing severe redness and irritation after a chemical peel, I would first ask them about their experience during the procedure. Then, I would examine their skin for any signs of infection or other complications. If everything looked normal, I would speak with my manager about what happened and discuss whether we should adjust our procedures for administering chemical peels in the future.”

How well do you work under pressure? Can you provide an example of a time when you had to perform a treatment quickly?

This question can help the interviewer determine how well you perform under pressure and whether you have experience working in a fast-paced environment. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe your ability to work quickly while maintaining quality results.

Example: “I am very comfortable working under pressure because I’ve done so throughout my career as an aesthetician. In my last position, I was often tasked with performing multiple treatments at once. This helped me develop my skills for multitasking and increased my efficiency when performing procedures.”

Do you have experience performing body contouring treatments? If so, what treatments have you performed?

This question can help interviewers understand your experience level and what you’re comfortable doing. If you have no experience, it’s important to show that you’re willing to learn new techniques and perform them safely.

Example: “I’ve performed several body contouring treatments in my previous role as a medical aesthetician. I’m most experienced with performing laser hair removal, which is one of the most common procedures I performed. I also regularly performed skin tightening and cellulite reduction treatments.”

When performing a chemical peel, what is the ideal pH level of the solution?

The interviewer may ask you a question like this to test your knowledge of the chemical peeling process. This is an important skill for medical aesthetician because they often perform chemical peels on clients. In your answer, explain that the ideal pH level of a solution depends on the type of peel being performed.

Example: “The ideal pH level of a solution depends on the type of peel being performed. For example, a lactic acid peel should have a pH level between 3 and 4. If the pH level is too high or low, it can cause damage to the skin. I always make sure to check the pH level before performing a peel.”

We want to increase the number of clients who return to our practice. What strategies would you use to encourage clients to come back for additional treatments?

An interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your customer service skills and how you plan to increase the number of clients who return for future treatments. Use examples from previous experience in which you helped clients schedule their next appointment or encouraged them to try additional services.

Example: “I always encourage my clients to come back for a follow-up treatment after they’ve had time to heal from their initial procedure. I find that many people are nervous about coming back, so I make sure to give them plenty of encouragement and advice on what to expect during their second visit. In my last role, I increased client retention by 10% over the course of six months by encouraging clients to come back for a follow-up treatment.”

Describe your experience with fillers and other cosmetic enhancements.

This question can help the interviewer determine your experience level and how you apply that knowledge to a client’s needs. Use examples from previous work or school experiences to highlight your skills, such as:

Example: “I’ve used fillers in my practice for two years now, and I find them to be an excellent way to enhance facial features without invasive procedures. In my last position, I worked with clients who wanted fuller lips, cheeks and brows. I would first assess their skin type and color before recommending a filler that was safe and effective for their unique needs. I also recommend hyaluronic acid fillers because they’re non-animal based and have no risk of allergic reaction.”

What makes you the best candidate for this position?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your qualifications and how you can contribute to their team. Before your interview, make a list of all the skills and experiences that make you an ideal candidate for this role. Focus on highlighting your soft skills such as communication and interpersonal skills along with any hard skills like medical aesthetic experience or customer service experience.

Example: “I am passionate about helping others feel confident in their skin. I have always been interested in skincare and beauty products, so becoming a medical aesthetician was a natural career choice for me. Throughout my education, I learned many techniques and treatments that help patients achieve beautiful skin. I also understand the importance of following safety protocols when administering procedures.”

Which aesthetic treatments do you enjoy performing the most?

This question can help the interviewer determine if your interests align with those of their practice. It also helps them understand what you enjoy doing and how much experience you have performing aesthetic treatments. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a few specific procedures that you enjoy performing and why.

Example: “I really enjoy performing chemical peels because I love seeing the results they produce for my clients. Chemical peels are great for improving skin tone and texture, which is something I see in many of my clients. Another treatment I enjoy performing is microdermabrasion because it’s so versatile. You can use it to treat fine lines, acne scars and other issues.”

What do you think is the most important aspect of performing aesthetic treatments?

This question is an opportunity to show your interviewer that you understand the importance of providing quality care and customer service. Your answer should include a statement about how important it is to listen to patients’ concerns, perform treatments with precision and provide information about treatment options.

Example: “I think the most important aspect of performing aesthetic treatments is listening to my clients’ concerns and educating them on their available options. I make sure to thoroughly explain each procedure so they know what to expect during their appointment and after returning home. This helps me ensure that my clients feel comfortable and confident in their decision to undergo treatment.”

How often should a person get aesthetic treatments?

This question can help the interviewer determine how much experience you have with recommending treatments for clients. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific situation in which you helped a client decide when they should get aesthetic treatments and what those treatments were.

Example: “I believe that everyone’s skin is different, so I always recommend my clients come in for treatments based on their individual needs. For example, one of my clients came in every six weeks for a chemical peel treatment because she wanted to maintain her current results. Another client only needed to come in once or twice per year for a similar treatment because her skin was more resilient.”

There is a new treatment that is becoming popular among our patients. How would you find out more about it and decide if we should offer it at our practice?

This question is a great way to show your research skills and how you would apply them to the role. You can use this opportunity to showcase your ability to find information, evaluate it and make decisions based on what you learn.

Example: “I would start by researching the treatment online. I would look for reviews from patients who have tried it and read any articles that discuss the pros and cons of the treatment. After doing some initial research, I would schedule a meeting with our medical aesthetician to discuss my findings. Together, we could decide if it’s something we want to offer at our practice.”