Esthetician Information

Where can I locate, compare, and contact esthetician schools?

What is an esthetician?
If you love the field of cosmetology, but would like to specialize in the study of skin care, then an esthetician career may be perfect for you. When you've received your esthetician license, your job at a salon is to make the customer feel pampered and relaxed by providing facials, pore cleansing and exfoliation treatments, body wraps and polishes, manicures and/or pedicures, foot reflexology, aromatherapy and spa treatments as well as hair removal (waxing) treatments.

Students who train to become an esthetician learn about beautifying the skin through a variety of means, including facials, skin analysis, makeup artistry, pore cleansing, microdermabrasion techniques, European facial treatments, spa treatments using body polishes and wraps, aromatherapy and skin care regimens, foot reflexology, depilation and waxing, and eyebrow shaping and lash tinting.

Estheticians are also trained to recognize skin problems that require a dermatologist, or a medical professional. Because of this, you also have the opportunity to become a medical esthetician and move into the medical field. To help you get your medical esthetician license, some esthetician schools may offer courses covering anatomy, physiology, chemistry and pathology of the skin, including bacteriology, disinfection, decontamination and infection control, first aid, and hygiene. However, some states do not recognize a medical esthetician license any differently than a cosmetology license, so if you are considering a medical esthetician career, be sure to check your state cosmetology license requirements to make sure you know what training you need to complete.

How do I become an esthetician and how long does it take?
Becoming an esthetician will require specialized training at a cosmetology or esthetician school. You will complete skincare training with experienced instructors by studying and practicing techniques in a classroom and student salon or spa setting. Once you've completed your esthetician training at the school, you will then need to take the state licensing exam and pass it to earn your esthetician license and begin your new career.

How long it takes to become an esthetician depends on if you are completing your training as a full or part time student. Full time esthetician school can take as little as 4 - 6 months to complete the program, while part time could take up to 9 months. You will need to discuss the length of the esthetician program and class schedules with the schools you are considering attending to help determine what is right for you.

What are the esthetician license requirements?
Training to become an esthetician takes an average of 300 hours, but this will vary based on state requirements. Take a look at our state license requirements page to find out more. We recommend you contact the licensing department for the state you're interested in to verify if there have been any changes in programs or required hours.

Students must also pass a state license exam at the completion of their esthetician course. If you are looking to move into the medical esthetics field, additional advanced courses are required, and a paramedical esthetician license exam must be passed as well.

What are some of the esthetician career opportunities?
A career as an esthetician can lead in many different career paths, including salon, spa and resort employment, manicurist, pedicurist or manager. Some estheticians also find rewarding careers in cosmetics marketing, purchasing, or beauty consulting, while others move into the medical community as paramedical estheticians or esthetician training instructors.

What can I expect to earn with an esthetician salary?
According to a 2003 study by the NACCAS, (the National Accrediting Commission of Cosmetology Arts & Sciences), esthetician graduates can expect to earn anywhere from $30,000-$50,000 a year, depending on the amount of experience, clientele and hours worked.

What qualities does an esthetician need?
A good esthetician should be able to work well with their hands, and have a kind and approachable manner. They should also be able to make the customer feel relaxed and be knowledgeable about their skin care needs, as well as the products used by various skin types.