Are you looking for a rewarding and in-demand career? Becoming a medical esthetician could be the perfect choice for you. This profession offers ambitious, hard-working individuals the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others. Although it may not be one of the highest-paying medical careers, it is still a great option for those who are passionate about skin and beauty. To become an esthetician, you must obtain a degree from an esthetician school, two-year university, or cosmetology school.
These programs involve both classroom instruction and hands-on practice to ensure that students gain the necessary skills to enter this profession. After completing the required number of hours, students are eligible for state licensing. Additionally, they must also complete a certain number of treatments to demonstrate their competence and experience. Having a license opens up many other related career paths, such as becoming a makeup artist, beauty blogger, public relations representative in the beauty industry, or even starting your own store.
Medical estheticians can also work in hospitals or rehabilitation centers to help patients who have experienced illness or trauma with their appearance. They may also work as training inspectors, visiting medical spas and other employers of medical estheticians to ensure that all regulations are being followed. In addition, many medical estheticians have previous professional experience as physician assistants or laser technicians. These treatments are often considered medical rather than cosmetic, so medical estheticians can assist doctors and laser technicians instead of operating the lasers directly.
Cosmetologists are more involved with the application of makeup (cosmetics) and are not as involved in medical care and ongoing medical treatment of the skin as medical estheticians are. They can also work on the medical side and take patients to exam rooms, take patients' vital signs, collect medical records, and assist doctors with procedures. Medical estheticians can be found working in clinics, dermatology offices, hospitals, medical spas, and long-term care centers.
