The Facts About Esthetician Careers

January 16th, 2008

Most little girls love to play dress-up with their friends and give each other makeovers. Even though little girls grow up, some don't stop trying to make others beautiful. They continue to give skin and beauty tips to their friends, and even give them makeovers. Some even get paid to give people healthy skin and make them look beautiful everyday. These people are estheticians.

You're probably wondering, what is an esthetician? Estheticians perform all sorts of skincare treatments. Or in other words, they do makeup, facials, body wraps and sometimes waxing.

The role of an esthetician varies greatly depending on their training and where they work. Some only perform makeovers, while others have many specialties like waxing or massage therapy. Some even cut hair and perform manicures in addition to esthetics, making them full-service beauty consultants.

The field of esthetics is a relatively new thing. Many estheticians started cutting hair or doing nails in a salon. They would provide other services, such as makeovers, skincare treatments and waxing to their clients on the side to make extra money. The demand for these services increased, and now many salons are filled with estheticians.

One of the keys to success as an esthetician is good training. Most states require certification to practice as an esthetician, but becoming a licensed esthetician has never been easier. The best way to prepare for your certification is to complete a training program, and there are hundreds of institutions offering these programs because the demand for estheticians is on the rise. Many institutions offer programs that can be completed in as a little as 17 weeks, while others are more involved and take longer to complete.

However a good esthetician doesn't stop learning after they become certified. They seek out classes and seminars on new products and treatments so they can stay on the cutting edge, and offer their clients the best service possible. Continued education can also expand your skill set to include nails, hair or massage therapy. An esthetician has to be a salesperson, so the more services you offer, the more money you can make. This is why the investment you make, in both time and money, to continue your education will pay off in the long run. Not only will your clients respect you and recommend you to their friends, but keeping up with the industry makes you more employable and increases your earning potential.

These additional areas of expertise for estheticians include skincare, facials, make-up application techniques, massage therapy, manicures, pedicures, artificial nail application, waxing, unwanted hair removal and specialized skin care. Although these are not the only areas of study an esthetician can add to their repertoire, these are the most common.

Although the field of esthetics developed in beauty salons, estheticians don't just work in salons. Many also work in stores that sell make-up and skincare products, department stores, make-up studios, luxurious resorts and day spas. Estheticians can also freelance or start their own salon.

Some even work in a medical setting for cosmetic surgeons or dermatologists as paramedical estheticians. These paramedical estheticians prepare the skin before and after cosmetic surgery to reduce scarring and help it heal better with less pain. They can also show clients how to conceal bruising or redness resulting from the surgery.

Where an esthetician works has a great deal of influence over their salary. Estheticians can make anywhere from $15,000 to more than $75,000 depending on their level of experience, employer and clientele. The average yearly wage is for an esthetician is $27,113*. However, estheticians can greatly increase their earning potential as they build a strong clientele. A strong clientele ensures job stability and demand for your time services. It may take time to develop, but a strong clientele is one of the keys to long-term success for an esthetician.

So if you're ready to make the world a more beautiful place, start your training to become an esthetician today.

*Source: Occupational Employment Survey of Employers by EDD/LMID