An esthetician helps to promote healthy skin by giving clients skin care treatments. If you want to work in a spa or salon and want to be a part of the wellness community, an esthetician is a good choice. You can decide if this is the right career for you by learning about the common requirements and potential benefits.
This article explains what an esthetician is, how to become an esthetician, and what the average pay and job outlook are for the field. You will also learn about the skills these professionals typically use.
Who Is an Esthetician?
An esthetician is a specialist in skincare. They work with patients to help them take better care of as well as maintain their skin. The ability to identify and treat skin conditions like wrinkles, sun pigmentation, or blemishes is a specialty of estheticians. Moreover, as an esthetician, you can work in a salon or spa. But some also work in nursing homes, hospitals, movie sets, hotels, and specialty resorts.
Estheticians assist their clients wherever they work. They give them advice on how to take care of their skin at home. They can also provide skin treatments on the spot.
Cosmetic skin treatments such as facials, superficial chemical peels, body treatments, waxing, and makeovers can be administered by estheticians to their patients. Advanced procedures like full chemical peels, pore cleaning, light therapy, and hair removal may also be carried out by them. To aid patients with cancer or burn injuries in recovering from surgeries and other procedures, estheticians may also work with these patients. Other specializations available to estheticians include:
How to Become an Esthetician?
You need not go on Google and search “how to become an esthetician in Texas” or “how to become an esthetician in California.” The rules and regulations for becoming an esthetician are more or less the same all over the country. Even if you are asking, “how long does it take to become an esthetician” or “how much does it cost to become an esthetician.”
If you want to pursue a career in esthetics, here are a few steps you can follow:
Enroll in Cosmetology or Esthetics
Finish a cosmetology or esthetician program approved by the state in which you wish to work. Some states accept applicants if they are at least 16 years old. Others require applicants to have a high school degree or GED before allowing them to enroll in cosmetology or esthetician schools. The cost, location, scheduling, as well as availability of esthetics program can differ. So, it is a good idea to look into all the options in your area to determine which one will benefit you the most.
Training is provided by cosmetology or esthetician programs in the following fields:
- Customer relations
- Cosmetology
- Esthetician treatments
- Methods for sanitizing tools and workspaces
Enrolling in a cosmetology or esthetics program can verify that your abilities are sufficient and provide you with an understanding of the tasks an esthetician does daily. Most of the cosmetology and esthetician programs combine classroom instruction with practical experience in the form of coursework.
Get A License
Obtain a license to practice esthetics in the state in which you intend to work. To ensure you receive the correct license, it’s important to research your state’s specific regulations. Each state may have different requirements or processes for obtaining licensure. A passing score on the state licensing exam and hours of classroom and practicals are required by many states.
Written sections and practical components, such as administering treatments or demonstrating a mastery of techniques, are usually included in these exams. Many states mandate that you renew your license after a predetermined number of years. States may differ in this regard, so as soon as you obtain your license, think about when to renew it to ensure you can continue practicing law.
Certification
While certification isn’t necessary for many jobs, it can demonstrate your commitment to practice and enthusiasm for the industry. This is another of the crucial things you must consider when looking up how to become an esthetician. Having a certification may set you apart from other applicants.
Especially when you apply for jobs as an esthetician because not all candidates have pursued one. After graduating from cosmetology or esthetician school and working in the industry for at least two years, estheticians can begin the certification process. Estheticians who meet all the requirements can take an exam and, if they pass, receive certification.
The National Coalition of Estheticians Association (NCEA) offers the National Esthetician Certification. It is the most widely used certification for estheticians. Moreover, to become certified, candidates must study from a training manual and apply in four to six weeks. You get permission to take the test after submitting an application, and you can use a computer at home to do so. You can retake the exam to renew your NCEA certification after it expires, which is good for three years.
Certification is a big deal when you want to know how to become an esthetician.
Acquire Practical Experience
Apply for jobs as an esthetician at entry level. After you get to know about how to become an esthetician, this is another of the things you must do. Estheticians can work in independently run spas or salons or for larger companies like resorts, hotels, and hospitals. By practicing what you learn, you can become a more skilled esthetician and become an expert at performing chemical peels, facials, and other treatments. Additionally, it can help you establish a solid clientele that knows you both personally and from your work.
Estheticians can also work in sales, as makeup artists, in public relations, or as representatives of beauty companies in other industries. If you were working as an esthetician for a few years, then you might be presented with these opportunities. During this time, you can hone your abilities and build your reputation in the industry. Then, if you’d like to find a new career that’s still in the esthetics field, you can use your experience and clientele to pursue opportunities in other industries.
Go Back to School
When you begin working in the field, try to continue completing the courses necessary to become an esthetician. This will include maintaining a state license. Being aware of when to renew your license can be beneficial because most licenses require renewal after a set number of years. This could entail retaking the test or putting in a certain number of practical hours.
Estheticians can take advantage of this chance to pick up new treatment methods. Since there are always new discoveries in medicine, estheticians usually keep an eye on changes in both established practices. There is the efficacy of a given treatment and emerging ones. For example, the introduction of novel procedures or treatments. Keeping up with advancements in the field can help guarantee safe, effective treatments that increase patient satisfaction.
Salary and Job Outlook for Estheticians
Data from Indeed indicates that estheticians make, on average, $59,797 annually. This number may differ depending on variables, including the esthetician’s location, experience, company size, credentials, and specializations. These professionals frequently receive 401(k) matching, tuition reimbursement, and support for their professional development.
According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of skincare specialists is set to grow by 29% from 2020 to 2030. This rate is comparatively faster than the average of all the other occupations within this time period. The agency has attributed this growth to the high demand for anti-aging procedures and a popular desire to pursue a healthier lifestyle. This simply means the job opportunities in this field are going to soar.
Criteria To Become an Esthetician
Before you ask about how to become an esthetician, there are certain things that you must keep in mind.
To obtain a license as an esthetician, start by researching the Board of Cosmetology requirements in your state. To be eligible for a license, most states require completion of 150–1200 hours (about 1 and a half months) at an approved training program. Certain states permit apprenticeship hours in addition to or in place of school hours.
When your hours are up, you’ll apply to take the State Board exam. As soon as possible, you should begin preparing for this test by reading and practicing! Approximately 51% of individuals do not pass the written portion of this exam, so preparation is essential.
After completing your hours, you can apply to sit the state exam and earn a professional license. The National-Interstate Council of State Boards of Cosmetology (NIC) exam is used in thirty-one states. It’s likely that other states employ a similar strategy. When it comes to assessing esthies seeking a state license, the NIC is the foremost national authority.
The exam, which takes about three hours to complete, consists of two parts: a written exam with about 120 questions covering science concepts, best practices, and skin care. And a practical exam where you must perform services in compliance with state laws and regulations.
How to Become an Esthetician Online?
Numerous recognized online esthetician programs are available that will give you all the instruction required. It will help you obtain your license and start a lucrative career in esthetics. The average number of hours required for specialized training won’t change if you take an online course. But it may be slightly more flexible and less expensive.
Enrolling in an accredited online program is the first step toward becoming an online esthetician. It must fulfill all state board requirements in your area. The next step is to select the specialization and program type (associate degree, certification, or diploma) that you wish to enroll in.
After that, you will attend your online courses, finish your required hours, pass your training, and then sit for the esthetician exam. You can apply for your license and start working as a licensed esthetician as soon as you pass that! If you wanted to know how to become an esthetician online this is your best bet.
Uses of an Esthetician Certificate
There is a wide range of career options available to estheticians. It includes positions at salons, spas, resorts, and even cruise ships. In addition, licensed estheticians can work as:
- Medical estheticians
- Makeup artists
- Salespeople
- Salon managers
- Product purchasers
- Marketers
- Content developers
- Brand educators
- State board members
- Brand ambassadors
As there is no one way to become an esthetician, once you have your license, the possibilities are endless. Identifying your niche is the trick.
Most esthetician schools only provide rudimentary instruction in following state board guidelines. They may not adequately equip you for “the real world.” You should consider furthering your education or taking up an apprenticeship in facials, hair removal, or other modalities. You can opt for microblading, threading, or eyelash extensions for advanced training in your chosen field.
Are Estheticians Rich
State-by-state variations exist, but the average salary for a licensed esthetician in the US is approximately $40,000. Remember that this is the average pay for an esthetician working in a salon, exclusive of tips. Additionally, this figure excludes the possible income of independent contractors and estheticians who work in industries other than providing skincare services.
Can Estheticians Make Six Figures
Those with a license in esthetics have a lot of career options and a lot of opportunities to make six figures. There is truly no upper limit to the question, “How much can an esthetician make?”
Estheticians can make a lot of money, from high-end service providers in salons to salon owners and executive beauty marketers. With your work, you can even elevate yourself to the status of social media celebrity esthetician, at which point you can start earning some serious cash!
Building a devoted clientele takes time if you’re a salon professional, but once you have a high-volume clientele, it’s time to buy your own place or open your own salon.
It’s a good idea to start your career as an apprentice at upscale salons or spas before branching out on your own and charging top dollar for your chosen esthetic services.
If you are a waxer, for instance, your goal should be to become an expert in more costly services that you enjoy performing. One of them is Brazilian waxing, which can help you charge the higher end of your market rate for that service.
Those who provide expensive services like microblading or eyelash extensions may be able to make six figures annually. Nursing graduates who work as medical estheticians can provide more costly and invasive treatments like high-percentage acid peels, laser therapy, and Botox.
Estheticians’ Products
Regardless of the esthetics field you choose, selecting the appropriate products requires expertise. Here are some pointers for selecting the ideal products for your company
- Select goods and brands that have a reputation for serving salon professionals.
- Collaborate with brands that provide comprehensive brand support and wholesale goods.
- Positive reviews ought to be attached to your products.
- To enable full service in your chosen field, select full-service curated kits such as a spa starter kit.
How To Become an Esthetician: Get Rich
Regardless of the esthetic niche you have selected, creating and managing educational and captivating content for digital marketing purposes can be your main source of income.
It’s essential to have an online store if you want to sell retail goods. It’s also critical to provide online reviews, payment processing, and appointment scheduling for your clients. If you want to make six figures, even if you provide the best services in your field, you will still need to market yourself. This calls for strong business and marketing skills.
Additionally, it’s critical to ensure that you’re providing your customers with a distinctive, varied, and extensive selection of goods and services as take-home extras and for services.
By providing your customers with services that are tailored to their individual skin types or lifestyle preferences, you can take advantage of niche markets. It will also help you build a devoted clientele that will come back time and time again.
Make sure your wax types suit the needs, skin types, and hair types of your clients, especially if you’ve entered the waxing specialty. Think about who else you’d like to attract to your salon in addition to your current clientele when choosing which waxes to use.
Wrapping Up
If you’re interested in making the career switch, it can be difficult to know where to start. There are so many options to consider when learning how to become an esthetician. After you’ve determined that this is the career for you, be sure to enroll in a course that will help you succeed in your field.
Your success in the field is largely up to you once you start practicing! You will be able to treat skin conditions such as sun pigmentation, wrinkles, and blemishes. This will allow you to make a name for yourself in an unbeatable niche and promote your brand and company. You must also keep abreast of market trends and customer preferences. The possibilities are endless once you’ve figured out a workflow and procedure that suits you!
If you have thoughts to share or questions to ask about how to become an esthetician, please leave a comment below. We would love to hear from you!
We also have more information if you want to know how to become a pediatrician, a therapist, a phlebotomist, an orthodontist, an anesthesiologist, a psychologist, or a physician assistant.
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Dean Phillips
Keep up the amazing work!