If you’re involved within the beauty and skincare community, or just doing some research about the topic out of curiosity, it is more than likely you’ve seen both terms “Esthetician and Aesthetician” used interchangeably. Although both work in the skin care industry and have some similarities there is a practical difference between the two. In this blog I will be giving you some insight about these two skin specialists, what is required to begin a career in either and what the industry is all about!
THE SAME BUT DIFFERENT
Both estheticians and aestheticians are highly specialized in skincare and are professionals when it comes to maintaining the skin. Although they both work in the same industry, their day-to-day responsibilities, education and training are completely different. So, let’s get to the major difference these two skincare specialist have. An aesthetician performs medical and non-invasive procedures to the skin whereas an esthetician, mainly performs cosmetic and maintenance procedures.
Lets talk Esthetician!
So what is an esthetician? An esthetician provides facial skincare services usually in a salon, or cosmetic setting. As an esthetician, they also help clients identify any issues they might have with their skin and recommend different maintenance and cleaning routines. The other types of responsibilities an esthetician takes on includes:
Skin analyzing
Skin cleansing
Skin exfoliation
Massages
Facials
Aromatherapy
Hair removal (waxing, tweezing, threading and eyebrow shaping)
Makeup application
Treating skin
Providing skin product recommendations
What Aestheticians are all about
Now onto aestheticians! I like to think of aestheticians as a “skin doctor” when comparing them to estheticians, but although aestheticians are NOT doctors, they are licensed skincare professionals, who can work in a spa, salon, or medical setting. Aestheticians can also work with patients who have experienced skin damage like, scarring, burns, or sun damage. On top of the medical setting, aestheticians also work with clients who are just interested in maintaining a youthful and rejuvenated look with advanced techniques. Some of the medical and clinical services include, acne treatment, pre- and post-operation skincare treatment as well as help manage the impact of skin diseases, injuries, and outbreaks, like rashes. Non-surgical services include:
Cool sculpting
Laser resurfacing & rejuvenation
Laser hair removal
Chemical peels
Injectables
Career Path
The Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupation Outlook Handbook projects that industry of aestheticians and estheticians will grow 29% (much faster than average) between 2020 and 2030! Which means that there is so much room for growth within this industry! The median pay for a skin care specialist in 2020 was $36,510 per year, $17.55 per hour
Training & Requirements
Aestheticians and estheticians must be licensed and complete formal training to work legally. To begin a career path within either profession the basic requirements include:
Highschool diploma or GED certificate (you only need this to begin our esthetician program)
Higher education in a cosmetology program
Obtain license from state’s cosmetology board
American Laser & Aesthetics Institute
Luckily here at American Laser and Aesthetics Institute we have an affordable esthetician program for all those who are interested in obtaining their license within months. We are also known for our advanced medical aesthetics courses where you can gain an AMA certificate and learn a whole new range of advanced techniques. Don’t be shy to give our institute a call and book a tour with us!!