Esthetics and Skin Care Schools

Esthetician school is a must if you are considering a career as a skin care specialist.  Esthetics schools and programs will train you to focus on taking care of clients’ facial skin, to help them maintain or achieve clear, healthy skin through the use of different methods and products. You will gain the necessary skills to work in both the cosmetic and medical fields as a service-oriented professional.  Find the best esthetics school in you area to get started in an esthetician training program today.

Browse All Esthetics / Skin Care Schools in the U.S.

Esthetician Training, Licensing and Certification

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Handbook, all states require that estheticians complete a specialized training program. Some states allow the program to be completed in a vocational or technical high school while others require that the program be completed after high school graduation or once the prospective student has earned their G.E.D. Some training programs can actually lead to an associate’s degree.

Licensing is required by all states for estheticians. The requirements vary state by state but most do require a high school diploma or G.E.D., completed specialized training and passing a licensing exam that can be all written or have both a written and practical component.

For estheticians considering further certification, the National Coalition of Estheticians, Manufacturers/Distributors and Associations offers national certification, for which the licensed skin care specialist must complete a 1200 hour job task analysis and pass an examination that proves she meets national standards. This certification is voluntary and takes at least six weeks to complete. To acquire this certification, the esthetician must have her state license, hold a valid C.P.R. certificate, be a current member of the NCEA and provide proof of insurance.

Estheticians Day-to-Day Responsibilities

The California Occupation Outlook Guide details the responsibilities for skin care specialists. As an esthetician, you will receive clients and inspect their skin to advise them about treatments, procedures and products. You should be prepared to discuss the treatment options available to clients and provide services such as performing facials, removing unwanted facial hair and blackheads, and applying lotions, peels and other aesthetician products. You will advise and teach clients about makeup application, tint eyebrows and provide facial massages.

Estheticians work in spas, salons and barbershops as well as resorts and hotels. Paramedical estheticians work in clinical settings supervised by medical professionals as they prepare patients’ for treatment, surgery and the healing and recovery process. Many estheticians are self-employed and set their own hours. Some go on to open their own salon or beauty centers. There is flexibility in the hours and schedules worked, but many self-employed estheticians work very long hours.  You will need to be a good listener and detail-oriented so that you can identify your clients’ needs and choose the best course of treatment for each. You will also need to have good hand-eye coordination since skin care often requires procedures that depend on great precision.

If you choose to become a paramedical esthetician, you will  help to prepare clients’ skin for medical procedures and to promote faster healing. Additionally, you will teach clients how to apply corrective makeup and how to hide redness bruising and irritation during the healing process.

Esthetics and Skin Care Specialists Career Outlook

According to the BLS’s Occupational Outlook Handbook, positions in the skin care industry are set to continue growing by 14 percent through 2020. Many of these jobs will come from the need to replace skin care professionals who are retiring or leaving the profession. The increase in positions is also projected to be a result of baby boomers getting older and seeking more skin care treatments, advances in technology and clients’ interest in repairing sun damage. The competition for the higher-paying spa and salon jobs will also increase since these positions are more limited in availability.