Career in Esthetics

Esthetics is an industry that employs nearly 40,000 professionals across the country who have never felt like they have worked a day in their life. The skincare industry is a multi-billion dollar business, estimated to be worth $43USD billion per year. It has steadily grown in the past years, and isn't stopping anytime soon. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor, employment for skin care specialists is expected to increase 37.9% by 2018. Though all parts of the industry are expected to expand, estheticians are the skin care specialists who will see the most job growth.

What does it mean to be an esthetician?

• Provide facial treatments, hair removal, body and spa treatments, and make-up artistry techniques.

• Provide specialized skincare treatments to enhance an individual's appearance.

• Aid in clients looking and feeling their best.

• Analyze the skin and recommend the appropriate treatment (i.e. treating acneic conditions).

• Advise clients on appropriate products for their home care maintenance.

• Possess a broad understanding of overall skin health.

• Enhance clients' beauty with skillful make-up application based on face shape, skin tone, and features.

Why choose Esthetics as a career?

• Extremely rewarding: Helping people feel better is one of the greatest feelings one can have. On a daily basis, estheticians provide men/women with treatments that improve their appearance, thus making clients feel better about themselves.

• Entrepreneurial Opportunities: For those who dream of working for themselves opening a Salon/Spa is a realistic goal.

• Job Flexibility: Balancing work and life is extremely valued in society today. Fortunately, an advantage to this career path is usually the ability to create your own work schedule. This is unlike other occupations that are not understanding when starting a family is something you desire.

• Lucrative: According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor, the average starting salary for an esthetician is approximately $32k/year. One of the most appealing aspects of this career is that you determine your earning potential. Your wealth is truly infinite.

• Endless career possibilities include but are not limited to: esthetician, make-up artist, skincare sales rep, educator, salon/spa manager, and positions in medical spas.

What is the future of Esthetics?

• Again, this industry is expected to grow 37.9% by 2018 according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor.

• Right now Medical Esthetics is the fastest growing and most exciting part of this industry right now. Completing a 1200-hour Masters Esthetics program provides you with further understanding of more advanced facial treatments and laser procedures. This gives you an edge over other estheticians and makes you marketable to a Medical Spa, Dermatology and/or Plastic Surgery office. This is undoubtedly the direction that the esthetics industry is going.

• The esthetician will be in higher demand as aging baby boomers are seeking to look and feel younger.

Editorial provided by Rachel A. Hinds, Director of Public Relations, Catherine Hinds Institute of Esthetics in Woburn, MA.