An aesthetician is a licensed professional focusing on the cosmetic improvement and health maintenance of the skin. This licensed occupation involves providing a range of non-medical treatments designed to enhance a client’s appearance and promote overall skin vitality. Understanding the full scope of their professional capabilities, the specific services they offer, and the necessary qualifications is important for anyone seeking specialized skincare help or considering a career in the field.
What is an Aesthetician?
An aesthetician, sometimes referred to as an esthetician, is a licensed skincare specialist who provides cosmetic and non-medical skin treatments. Their primary function involves analyzing the skin’s condition and developing personalized routines to address surface-level concerns like dryness, oiliness, or signs of aging. They focus on improving the skin’s tone, texture, and overall appearance through topical application and manual techniques.
Aestheticians are trained to understand skin anatomy and cosmetic chemistry to recommend effective products and procedures. They act as educators, guiding clients on proper home care and preventative measures. Their practice is distinct from that of a dermatologist, who is a medical doctor focused on treating diseases of the skin, hair, and nails.
Common Services and Treatments Provided
The core offerings of an aesthetician involve a variety of specialized treatments for the face and body, aimed at cosmetic enhancement and skin conditioning. These procedures generally fall into categories such as advanced cleansing, hair removal, and cosmetic artistry.
Facial Treatments
Aestheticians regularly perform customized facial treatments that begin with a thorough skin analysis to determine the client’s skin type and condition. Deep cleansing facials incorporate steaming, exfoliation, and manual extractions to clear pores of buildup and blackheads. Advanced exfoliation methods include microdermabrasion, which uses a device to gently buff away the outermost layer of dead skin cells.
Aestheticians are also trained to apply superficial chemical peels, which use mild acids like AHAs or BHAs to promote cell turnover without penetrating the epidermis. These treatments address concerns such as mild acne, hyperpigmentation, or fine lines, and often include specialized masks and serums to restore the skin barrier and improve radiance.
Hair Removal Techniques
Temporary hair removal is a standard service provided by aestheticians for areas across the face and body. Waxing remains one of the most common methods, involving the application and removal of warm wax to pull hair directly from the follicle. Threading, an ancient technique using twisted cotton thread, is frequently performed for shaping eyebrows and removing fine facial hair.
Depending on local state laws, aestheticians may also operate light-based hair removal devices. Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) or laser hair reduction is sometimes delegated to aestheticians working under the direct supervision of a licensed medical professional.
Body Treatments
Skincare expertise extends beyond the face to the entire body, where aestheticians perform various conditioning and relaxation treatments. Body wraps involve applying specialized products like mud or moisturizing creams before wrapping the client to enhance product absorption. Body scrubs and salt glows utilize abrasive materials to exfoliate the skin on the arms, legs, and torso, removing dead cells and improving circulation.
Back facials are a specialized service that mirrors a traditional facial procedure, designed to cleanse and exfoliate the often-neglected skin on the back. These treatments target common concerns like acne, dryness, and congestion in an area difficult for clients to manage on their own.
Cosmetic Enhancements
Aestheticians often provide services focused on enhancing the appearance of the eyes and providing professional makeup artistry. This includes the application of lash extensions, where individual synthetic lashes are meticulously attached to natural lashes to add length and volume. Brow shaping, tinting, and lamination are popular services used to define and enhance the appearance of the eyebrows.
Professional makeup application is another common offering, especially for special events like weddings or photography sessions. Aestheticians utilize their knowledge of color theory and skin types to select and apply cosmetics that complement the client’s features.
Understanding the Scope of Practice and Limitations
The practice of an aesthetician is strictly defined and regulated by state licensing boards, establishing clear boundaries regarding the procedures they can legally perform. The core limitation is that aestheticians are authorized only to perform procedures that affect the epidermis, the outermost layer of the skin, and are prohibited from penetrating beyond this surface layer.
Aestheticians cannot diagnose medical skin conditions, such as eczema or psoriasis, nor are they legally restricted from prescribing medications, including prescription-strength retinoids or oral antibiotics. Any procedure considered invasive or surgical, such as medium-depth chemical peels, skin tag removal, or injections like dermal fillers, is outside their legal scope of practice.
While some states permit advanced procedures like microneedling or specific laser treatments, this requires the aesthetician to work under the direct supervision of a licensed medical professional. The title “medical aesthetician” is not officially recognized by state licensing boards and can incorrectly imply a medical qualification the aesthetician does not possess.
Environments Where Aestheticians Work
Aestheticians find employment in a diverse range of settings, with the work environment often determining the specific services they are authorized to provide. Traditional settings include day spas and full-service salons, where the focus is on relaxation, cosmetic enhancement, and general skin maintenance like facials, waxing, and body treatments.
A growing number of aestheticians are now employed in medical settings, such as dermatology offices, plastic surgery clinics, and medical spas. When working alongside physicians, their role often shifts to providing complementary or pre- and post-operative care. Medical supervision in these settings sometimes allows the aesthetician to perform more advanced cosmetic treatments, such as certain laser procedures, under delegation.
Some aestheticians also work in retail environments, offering skincare consultation, or establish independent practices, leasing space or operating mobile services.
Education and Licensing Requirements
Becoming an aesthetician requires completing a structured educational program and successfully passing state licensing examinations. The path typically begins with enrollment in an approved aesthetics program offered through a specialized school or a cosmetology college. Required training hours vary significantly by state, ranging from 300 to over 1,000 hours of instruction.
These programs cover theoretical knowledge, including skin anatomy, chemistry, and sanitation procedures, as well as extensive practical, hands-on training. After completing the required coursework, candidates must apply to the state’s regulatory board to take the licensing examinations, which usually involve passing both a written and a practical exam.
Most states require applicants to be at least 16 years old and possess a minimum of a tenth-grade education. Licensing must be renewed periodically, and some states mandate continuing education to maintain the license.
Career Outlook and Specialization
The career field for aestheticians is projected to experience growth faster than the average for all occupations, driven by increasing consumer demand for personal care and anti-aging treatments. The median annual wage for skincare specialists nationally is around $41,560, though earnings vary substantially based on location, work setting, and reliance on tips and commission.
Specialization offers a pathway for career advancement and increased earning potential beyond general spa services. Aestheticians can pursue advanced training in fields like medical aesthetics, focusing on procedures that complement dermatological treatments.
Another emerging field is oncology aesthetics, where professionals are trained to safely treat the compromised skin of cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy or radiation. Many experienced aestheticians also transition into roles as educators or become independent business owners, launching their own salons or product lines.