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Manyclient getting blemishes cared for people are not aware that they have visited an esthetician. Since the job is similar to other specialties within the field of cosmetology, it is easy to consider estheticians as simply beauticians. However, esthetician schools — whether online or regular — are considered distinct from other types of beauty schools.

While they do perform some of the same tasks as beauticians, an esthetician’s skill set is a little more complex.

And they usually have separate programs to train in, though often at the same schools as other beauty professionals.

They are considered in some areas to be skin or skin care specialists.

They can also perform medical treatments if certified after the right esthetician training.

On this page:
State and Provincial School Listings
Aesthetician Schools – what are they?
Different Kinds of Esthetician Classes
Finding a School Near You
Financial Aid for Esthetician Students, Licensing, and Esthetician Certification
Esthetician Jobs and Esthetician Salary
News 2022

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Estheticians and Esthetics Schools – what are they?

Estheticians work in the branch of cosmetology that deals with skin care, hair removal, spa treatments, makeup application, microdermabrasion, blemish & blackhead removal, and occasionally other services as well. Often estheticians obtain their training in cosmetology schools, although there are special programs for the discipline. Estheticians can also choose to specialize even further, and they can work either for themselves or in a salon or spa environment. As further developments are made in the field of skin care, estheticians find themselves learning new treatments and skills constantly.

facial mask being applied
Facial by Sérgio Savarese [CC BY 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Aesthetician vs Esthetician – Often students are confused about the differences between aestheticians and estheticians. Most people are more familiar with the word “aesthetics,” which is the appreciation of beauty in all of its rich and varied forms.

Both spellings for the career are correct, although it is used most often without the leading “a.” Some estheticians prefer to use simpler titles when talking with clients, calling themselves skin specialists or simply beauticians.
Types of Estheticians – The nature of this type of cosmetology skill set allows those who are interested in the field to choose a variety of different titles depending on their individual preferences.

Some estheticians choose to keep their services more generalized. This leaves them open to perform a wider range of appearance services for their clients. Others like the idea of developing expertise in one or more areas. That way, they can provide more in-depth and personalized treatments for their clients. The different types of estheticians include:

  • Skin care specialists
  • Medical estheticians
  • Hair removal experts
  • Makeup artists

Skin care specialists, for example, may perform facials for their customers, as well as instruct them in proper skin care products and techniques. Makeup artists spend time not only applying but also properly removing makeup for their customers. As well they instruct those clients on how to properly perform both functions at home. This can be everyday makeup, makeup for special events, or even theatrical makeup.

Students who want to know how to become an esthetician complete a prescribed course of schooling based on the standards set forth by their state’s or province’s board of cosmetology. Individual programs vary, but the majority begin with a study of skin, both on the face and the entire body. From there, the curriculum branches out into hair removal, skin products, and other necessary information. Esthetician programs can range in length from a few months to one to two years. The specific total hour requirement is laid out by the state or provincial board of cosmetology. Students would do well to compare that information to the school’s curriculum before enrolling. If you are looking for a quicker way to get into the beauty field the course of study for a nail tech is the shortest, followed by makeup artist.
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Esthetician Classes

eyebrow waxing training
Esthetician courses are designed to give students an introduction to the core elements of the program as well as deeper instruction.

As the students proceed through the classes, they learn even more and begin to apply that knowledge to actual clients in most cases.

Some schools offer practical instruction from the very beginning. Others focus first on classroom learning and move to the hands-on experience as training progresses.

Aesthetics training is similar to that of cosmetology, but there is more emphasis on skin care and products, while cosmetology tends to focus on both skin and hair.

Core Esthetics FocusTopics Covered
Skin careFacials
Recognizing skin issues
Microdermabrasion
Peels
Scrubs
Acne treatments and prevention
Hair removalWaxing
Threading
Sugaring
Depilation
Electrolysis
MakeupApplication
Removal
Permanent makeup options
Microdermabrasion
Body TreatmentsPeels
Scrubs
Head and neck massages

Each school has its own core curriculum, and students should ask to see the course of study before enrolling in classes. This helps to ensure that the school is teaching what the student wishes to learn. It also shows that the courses fit with the state or provincial board of cosmetology’s requirements for the licensing exam. The length of time for each school’s course load also varies. Students should check the school’s timetable to see if it meets their needs before enrolling.

Some schools have age and prior education requirements. Most that require students to be a particular age prefer that students are at least 16 or older. Many schools also require that students have a high school diploma or the equivalent. Community colleges and technical schools may offer an Associate’s degree at the end of the program. Private schools are more likely to offer a certificate upon completion. Students who are interested in obtaining a degree that they may be able to build on later should inquire about the type of certification or degree offered before they enroll in the program.

High School Esthetician Programs – If students are lucky enough to know at an early age that they want to pursue a career as an esthetician, high school programs may be a good solution. These are often provided as part of a vocational or tech school option, and the coursework is accredited. Due to the fact that these programs are only open to high school students, they are not open to the general public. Once the students complete the program, they can take the licensing exam. Once they’ve received their license, they can begin work. Some students may want to follow this program as a prelude to more advanced training, particularly if they are interested in a position later as a nurse esthetician.
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Continuing Education for Estheticians
Once licensed, estheticians must display their license in their place of employment. The license has an expiration date, at which time it must be renewed. Most state or provincial boards of cosmetology require continuing ed as a part of the license renewal process. Estheticians provide proof that they have kept up with their profession via additional coursework and esthetician classes. Often the hours required for these courses are minimal, and sometimes they can be done at home. The classes allow the licensee to stay up to date with current trends in the field. Many of the top schools offer not only initial courses to those just starting out but also offer continuing education for estheticians as well.
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“Is there an esthetician school near me?”

By now, you may be asking yourself, “Is there a skin care school near me?” The answer is probably “Yes.” Some states even allow apprenticeships as training to minimize your need for in-school instruction.

map of north america
By TUBS [gfdl], via Wikimedia Commons
Use your ZIP to find a school – click here.

From New York to L.A., most states — and most Canadian provinces — have places that will train you so that you can be employed in your area. It is important to realize that different states will have different requirements. Your diploma will not automatically be accepted wherever you go. Due to reciprocity agreements, retraining is often not too hard or lengthy, if needed.

However, some states, including Ohio and New York, have no agreement in place, so you must take the full training in order to work there. NY has “endorsement agreements” with some states. Connecticut, on the other hand, has no requirements for skin care experts, so you can go into business even if you have no training. Check the table below for examples of hours and so on needed to get licensed. Your decision on where to go to college, and if you should go to one nearby, could depend a lot on what the requirements are.

STATEPREREQUISITESTRAINING HOURS, etc.RECIPROCITYRENEWAL REQUIRED?
California• Sixteen yrs old or more
• Tenth grade or better
• 1600 hrs or 3200 hr apprenticeship
• Show your current license
• Show work activity for at least three of the past five years
• No disciplinary actions against you
• $40 fee
• Every other year
• $50 fee
New York• Seventeen yrs old or more
• Physician's certificate (communicable disease-free)
• 600 hrs• No reciprocity but there are endorsement agreements with several states: AK, AZ, CO, D.C., ME, MA, NM, NH, NC, OR, PA, SC, TN, UT, WV, & WY• Every four years
• $40 fee
Connecticutnot applicablenone requirednot applicablenot applicable
Ohio• At least sixteen yrs old
• Completed 10th grade
• 750 hours (+ microdermabrasion)• No agreement in place. Pass state’s written, practical and manager’s exam• Renew on January 31st of odd-numbered years only (e.g. 2017, 2019)
• $45 fee

Esthetician’s Tools and Equipment – Supplies for Your Kit

beauty treatment equipmentOnce you get accepted into school you’ll need to gather the necessary supplies to practice the various techniques you’ll be learning. The things you need make up a significant part of training costs. Some academies will supply you with everything you need as part of your tuition. Others will have ready-made kits that you can purchase separately from tuition. In some cases, it will be fine to buy your own esthetics tools and supplies. For the beginning student esthetician, you can break these supplies down into three categories.

  1. Facial Skin Care Tools – these implements include such things as cleansers and toners for different types of skin, masks, moisturizers, scrubs, and a scrub brush for exfoliation.
  2. A Makeup Kit – Once the skin is thoroughly cleansed, in most cases, makeup will need to be applied. A kit includes such things as foundations for different skin types, concealer, eyeshadow, mascara, lip gloss, lipstick, eyeliner, lip liner, blush, brushes for eye shadow & blush, a palette for makeup, and a mirror.
  3. A Waxing Kit – The main things in this kit will include a wax warmer, wax strips, and an apron and gloves.

Most estheticians also like to have a lighted magnifying floor lamp to get a really good look at the skin imperfections they are working on.

All in all, the basic esthetician implements aren’t that expensive. If you want to get into such things as spa facial equipment, then you will be spending a lot on professional-quality machines.
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Financial Aid for Esthetician Students

Many students do not consider the option of financial aid when they consider esthetics school costs. These are not options that will fall into a student’s lap. Instead, students must actively seek out and apply for this type of assistance for their tuition and expense needs.

An often overlooked resource for financial aid is the school itself.

The schools want to bring as many students through their program as possible. They are motivated to help prospective students find the financial resources that they need.

Type of Financial AidWhere to Look
ScholarshipsProfessional organizations
Schools
GrantsProfessional organizations
Schools
Federal/National financial aid
State/Provincial financial aid
Private Financial AidProfessional organizations
Private loans
Federal/National financial aid loans
State/Provincial financial aid loans

Licensing Costs
Licensing costs vary from one location to another. In general, an esthetician should expect to pay less than $100 overall for her license. One consideration to keep in mind is that the licensing test also has a fee. These fees should be listed clearly on the website of the state or provincial board of cosmetology, along with license renewal requirements.

Some applications for financial aid are based primarily on financial need. For these types of applications, students will have to submit financial information. Such information may include tax paperwork, bank statements, and possibly pay stub information with which the determining organization can make a decision.

Scholarships and grants often require the student to prove their love for the field in some manner. Sometimes this is through the application itself, sometimes prospective students are required to show specific activity that demonstrates their desire to work in the esthetician field. Regardless, students should be sure to complete all applications as thoroughly as possible since incomplete applications can be thrown out altogether by some agencies.

Some states and provinces require testing each time a license is renewed, but most do not. If a license is allowed to lapse, estheticians may be required to pay a reinstatement fee and retake the licensing exam. Even if an esthetician is not actively using her license, it pays to renew it before it lapses to avoid having to pay the additional fees to reinstate the license.

Esthetician Certification
Once certified, estheticians and nurse estheticians can either work for themselves, for a clinic or spa, or for a doctor’s office. Some licensed estheticians may start out working in a more generalized manner. Later they may decide that they prefer to specialize in specific products or techniques. This typically does not require additional certification unless she intends to become a nurse esthetician.

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Esthetician Jobs & Career

The outlook for estheticians is quite positive. More and more consumers are looking for someone to help them with personal service needs, and they prefer hiring an expert. As such, more and more spas are opening, and they need estheticians to fill out their staff.

Also, dermatologists and other doctors who deal with skin and aging find that estheticians are a valuable part of their team. Estheticians are trained to handle the nuts and bolts of the treatments and the physicians can grow their patient base because they have staff that can handle the influx of patients.

Estheticians who work for themselves — either independently or by opening their own spa — have much more room for growth. Keeping their clients happy and hiring estheticians who mesh well with their own methods are two ways to help ensure that those ventures are successful.

Students who already know that they want to one day open their own spa may want to consider taking business classes along with their esthetician certification. Finding a mentor is another way to ensure that estheticians can reach these larger goals.

Esthetician Salary

Pay rates for estheticians and for nurse estheticians can vary quite a bit, depending on a wide range of variables.

laser treatment for the skin condition rosacea
Laser skin treatments are usually done by doctors.

An esthetician in a smaller spa will earn slightly less than one in a large spa in a metropolitan area. Also, newer estheticians may earn slightly less at the start of their careers than those who have been working in the field for several years. As estheticians gain experience and clientele who return for session after session, they are able to grow their pay rates.

Some spas and clinics provide a commission-based pay scale, which depends greatly on the esthetician’s client base and the upsells that the clients purchase. Others work at an hourly rate.

According to the U. S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics, on average, estheticians can expect to earn $13.92 per hour. At the higher end of the scale, they can expect to earn $27.37 per hour. Nurse estheticians working in a physician’s office can expect starting pay rates averaging around $19.71 per hour or more. Nurse estheticians can also work in hospitals and private healthcare facilities, which can grow their hourly pay rate even more.

In Canada, the average income is $18,870 annually but that doesn’t take into account that many are working less than forty hours per week.

avg. hourly wageavg. annual salary
Esthetician$15.09$31,390
Medical Aesthetician$19.71$40,990

Becoming an esthetician offers students a way to help their clients in both large and small ways. While some clients may only need the occasional facial or waxing treatment, others may need help that they have been unable to get from any other specialist.

Estheticians can provide more specialized treatment plans for their customers than a beautician usually can since they are trained to recognize specific skin problems. With the growth expected for the skin care industry over the next ten to fifteen years, those who are certified to be estheticians can expect their own client base to continue to grow as well. <strong>Get help starting your career by finding a good school using the assistant below:</strong>

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Latest Esthetician News 2022

The continuing saga of Shaketra Payne’s crusade to be allowed to wash her clients’ hair. Seems a no-brainer since she is a hair braider. It kind of makes legislators look foolish when such a common-sense thing is against the law! wghn.com

The crazy-big private spa owned by Vladimir Putin, and it’s only one of many. Corruption much? See the pic on twitter.com

As estheticians, we should all know this: skin care habits that doctors are annoyed about people indulging in. huffpost.com. Interesting point about exfoliation… you’d think the more you do it, the better, but you can do it too much and damage the skin barrier. The skin protects the inside of your body from all kinds of nasty things.

Up-to-date news about the worldwide skin care market shows increased uptake by clients. It’s forecast to continue that way for the next few years too. Who knows, though? Anything can happen, right? globenewswire.com

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