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Insightful Synopsis of a Skincare Therapist
In the professional realm of beauty, there is generally either a misconception about the occupational versatility of pursuing a beauty degree/license or a very vague perspective of beauty applications. Most often, people tend to categorize beauty in its entirety with notions of limitations to the stereotypical roles associated with only hairdressing and makeup artistry. When in actuality, because of their lack of knowledge in the study of beauty, people fail to recognize beauty education for indeed being a very multifaceted career choice. Of the various beauty occupations that people choose to pursue, one of the most indistinct titles is that of an esthetician.
Define Esthetician/What is an Esthetician?
For most individuals, the exact role of an esthetician isn’t thoroughly understood. The skills for this occupation have the tendency to overlap with that of other beauty professions and this typically creates a bit of confusion. So you may ask yourself, “What is an esthetician?” Well, to be more precise, the most accurate esthetician definition is “a person licensed to administer skincare beauty treatments.” Estheticians, who are also known as “skincare specialists,” are equipped with additional skills to do makeup applications and nail treatments, but they are specially trained to analyze, cleanse, and treat the skin via a variety of methods. Skincare treatments performed by a skincare specialist include the following:
- Chemical peels
- Massages
- Facials
- Hair extraction
- Aromatherapy
- Body wraps
- Exfoliation
Although the licensure of cosmetology requires one to have some training in skincare therapy, an esthetician license demands an in-depth knowledge of all aspects of skincare. As a specialist, one must be able to consult with the client and provide the best treatment possible upon a thorough skin evaluation.
How to become an Esthetician
Being that most people may be unfamiliar with or uncertain about the role of a skincare specialist, many people also might not be aware as to how to become an esthetician. The process of becoming a skincare specialist is really quite simple. All an individual has to do is enroll in an accredited esthetician school or beauty school that offers the program, fulfill the requirements of the program, and graduate to receive an esthetician license. Esthetician schools can be found in numerous locations and they are so easily accessible that classes are even made available online. In school, in addition to obtaining the basic knowledge of human anatomy and physiology, students are required to receive training in diseases, safety, sanitation and hygiene practices, ethics, and business. Depending upon whether the student is training to receive a basic license or a master license, training programs for skincare specialists will take anywhere from 6-12 months to complete.
How much do Estheticians make?
Upon graduation, skincare therapists can expect to earn anywhere from $27,000 up to $58,000 per year with an average esthetician salary reported to be $32,990/yr (equivalent to being about $15.86/hr). The pay range for an esthetician’s salary varies accordingly to location, experience type, and the number of years of experience.
Of the many different esthetician jobs that one can choose to pursue, they will either fall under the role of the traditional spa therapist or under the role of the medical therapist. Traditional skincare therapists typically work out of salons and spas, whereas medical skincare therapists generally service within medical settings like hospitals and clinics alongside the care of plastic surgeons and dermatologists. Although both types of specialists conduct skin evaluations to remedy the health and appearance of the skin, they differ in the type of clientele and amount of pay they receive. In contrast to a spa skincare therapist whose main concern is to cosmetically enhance and pamper the client, a medical esthetician’s primary concern is to help heal and restore the skin of patients who have suffered trauma or who have been ill-affected by disease. Nonetheless, a medical esthetician salary averages out to be around $8,000 to $10,000 more than a spa therapist with an average annual salary of $38,680 to $40,490/yr.
In the professional quest to mastering the art of beauty, making the commitment to become a skincare specialist parallels with developing a deep appreciation for skincare and being able to share that appreciation via service. Whether it be applying a mask, removing hair, or just recommending the right products to the client, being a skincare specialist carries the responsibility of having the knowledge and skill of being able to effectively conduct business to meet the needs of the client to ensure consistent customer satisfaction. It is a business that entails the preservation of health and happiness and a personal concern for the well being of customers. To say the least, it is a very well-paid profession and suitable occupational choice for those who possess excellent communication skills, have a true passion for the beauty of skincare, and take an extreme interest in mixing beauty applications with the pleasure of being able to help others. Read about esthetician resumes here.