A Career in Esthetics
"You're going to be what?"

"An esthetician," I reply.

"You're learning how to put someone under?"

Well, not in the literal sense. Learning to become an esthetician encompasses many facets, relaxation not excluded. However, technically speaking, an esthetician is a licensed professional who provides services such as facials, makeup, and hair removal to aid in improving someone's physical appearance. One of the most gratifying parts of being an esthetician is seeing how people feel better and carry themselves with greater confidence and knowing you helped to make the change.

Choosing a School
Should a career in esthetics interest you, the next step is choosing a school.

If you desire to attend a school in your area, choose a few reputable salons offering esthetic services. Call and ask the salon owner, manager, or estheticians about available schools within the area and ask their opinions. Better yet, book appointments and have facials from graduates who have attended your potential schools, ask questions and get a feel for the style of treatments taught at the respective institutions. If you are willing to travel and live elsewhere while attending school, do some research. Look on-line. Call editors of beauty and esthetic journals and ask their advice. Visit all of your options, tour every school, review the course of study, and ask a lot of questions. When shopping for a quality education, research definitely pays off. Consider that you are investing in your future, so it is essential to find the best fit.

Course of Study
Esthetics is one of those careers that require you know a lot about a lot of different subjects. Because esthetics is primarily a hands-on business, the majority of your education will be devoted to technique. This covers all components of the facial process. These components include, but are not limited to: Skin Analysis, Cleansing, Exfoliation, Alpha Hydroxy Acids, Facial Massage, Deep Pore Cleansing, Use of Various Equipment, Masks, Specialized Treatments for specific skin problems, and Product Knowledge. In addition to facials, practical classes also cover waxing and various other treatments for eyes, backs, and hands.

Modules of study are also devoted to Makeup Artistry and to the theoretical principals that the practice of esthetics is based on. Theory classes include Anatomy and Physiology of the Human Body, an in-depth study of the skin, Basic Chemistry as applied to Product Ingredients and Composition, Nutrition, Sales, Salon Business, Microbiology, Sanitation, and Disorders of the Skin. Although many students enjoy the hands-on aspect of esthetic study, the fundamentals that support the practice are essential.

The depth and detail of these areas of study may vary greatly from school to school.

Career Opportunities
Once you have successfully completed an esthetics program and become licensed (do inquire with your state's board of cosmetology or professional licensure because requirements vary from state to state), there are as many opportunities as there are skin types. Many graduates opt to practice esthetics in a salon or spa or open their own businesses. Some work as makeup artists in a variety of environments, including the salon/spa, portrait or commercial photography studios, fashion shows, television, stage, or motion pictures (additional specialized education is recommended for stage and film), free-lance bridal and special occasion, reconstructive/camouflage cosmetics in medical practices, or a mortuary as a restorative specialist. Estheticians may choose to work in medical practices such as dermatology, plastic surgery, oncology, or burn treatment centers. Other opportunities include cosmetic research and development, sales, management, cosmetic buyer or assistant buyer, a manufacturer's representative for skin care, cosmetics, or equipment. Individuals with a background in communications may choose freelance writing and lecturing on the topic of beauty, or pursue a career as a beauty editor of a newspaper, magazine, or trade journal. Educational positions as teachers of makeup and skin care are possibilities. Some estheticians may become school administrators or state licensing examiners.

Salaries will vary, depending upon career choice and location.

The good news is that the beauty industry is ever growing and people are investing more and more in their appearance. Between 1999 and 2001, the beauty industry rose from five billion to eleven billion dollars in revenue and is expected to reach fourteen billion dollars in 2002. So the next time someone asks you what you're studying to be, say with pride, "An esthetician."

Editorial provided by Cate Tool. She is licensed esthetician and instructor and is the Director of the Elizabeth Grady School of Esthetics in Medford, Massachusetts.