Medical Aesthetician Profile Career 2023 | Full Guide

There is no better investment for any community than investing in more doctors and medical aestheticians. There’s so much appreciation for everyone who makes that investment possible, either by being one of them or by supporting the people training to be one.

Medical Aestheticians are an integral part of the overall healthcare team. The role of a medical aesthetician is to support dermatologists and plastic surgeons in cosmetic care. Medical aestheticians help control, prevent, and correct physical and pathological skin disorders.

What is a Medical Aesthetician?

A medical aesthetician is a licensed skincare professional with specialized training to perform medical-grade procedures and give medical advice about skincare.

A medical aesthetician’s significant role is to improve the skin’s appearance through several cosmetic procedures.

What Does a Medical Aesthetician Do?

Medical aesthetics is a specialized area of the esthetics practice, mainly focusing on medical skincare and treatments. Medical aestheticians work in medical spas, dermatology offices, plastic surgery offices, medispas, and laser centers under the supervision of a physician.

They work alongside dermatologists and plastic surgeons in a medical setting, such as a dermatologist’s or plastic surgeon’s office, treating patients with specific skincare needs.

They are highly skilled at analyzing the condition of your skin to determine the best course of action. They will create individualized treatment plans based on your needs, goals, lifestyle, and budget. Medical aestheticians are also trained to identify severe conditions that require a dermatologist’s attention, including skin cancer.

More so, a medical aesthetician works more technically than a traditional spa aesthetician. They also have a higher level of responsibility than regular estheticians because they work with people who may need more technical skills.

Besides performing facials and other skin treatments, they will provide patients with information about how to take care of their skin and recommend products that may be helpful at home.

How to Become a Medical Aesthetician

Medical aestheticians typically have a high school diploma or equivalent and receive on-the-job training. Some medical aestheticians have undergone formal training in cosmetology or esthetician programs. Most states require a license to perform skincare treatments, such as laser hair removal.

A high school diploma or General Educational Development (GED) certificate is the minimum educational requirement for medical aestheticians.

The job of a medical aesthetician entails performing skincare treatments that demand high delicacy and concentration. Therefore, good eyesight, manual dexterity, and patience are essential for aspiring medical aestheticians.

Besides a high school diploma or GED certificate, medical aestheticians often have completed formal training in a cosmetology or esthetician program at a technical school or community college. These programs offer courses in anatomy and physiology, bacteriology, chemistry, makeup application, and skin diseases.

During this training, students learn how to perform facials; apply makeup; wax eyebrows and remove body hair; cleanse and exfoliate the skin; provide massages; operate microdermabrasion machines, and use chemical peels. Students also learn about different topical medications and how they affect the skin.

Aesthetician vs. Esthetician

The difference between an aesthetician and an esthetician mainly depends on where you live. Most people use the term “esthetician” to describe a skincare specialist, but some areas use the term “aesthetician.” In some states, professionals can be both aestheticians and estheticians.

Aestheticians focus more on beauty treatments for the face and typically work in day spas, med spas, or salons. Estheticians focus more on skin health; they’re usually licensed to provide advanced services like chemical peels, microdermabrasion, and laser hair removal. Both aestheticians and estheticians may perform facials, waxing, tinting, manicures, and pedicures.

Aestheticians and estheticians must complete formal training programs before becoming licensed to work in their state. You can find training programs at cosmetology schools, community colleges, and vocational schools.

Most programs take from three months to two years to complete. In all states except Connecticut, students must pass a state licensing exam after completing their training program before becoming licensed estheticians or aestheticians.

Duties of a Medical Aesthetician

Many aestheticians specialize in medical aesthetics, working for a medical professional such as a dermatologist, plastic surgeon, or cosmetic physician.

A medical aesthetician may work with specialized equipment such as lasers and chemical peels, so additional training is often involved beyond basic aesthetician licensing. Medical aestheticians work with patients receiving cosmetic procedures and need pre-op and post-op care to guarantee maximum benefit.

  • Cosmetic procedures

A medical aesthetician prepares the skin by performing facials, waxing, and applying chemical peels. This prepares the skin for laser treatments, Botox injections, and dermal fillers such as Juvederm or Restylane. The aesthetician also provides post-procedure care by cleaning the skin, applying healing ointments, and providing instructions on how to keep the skin clean and healthy after treatment.

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  • Providing services to patients

A medical aesthetician has to provide services to their patients according to the needs of their patients. An aesthetician offers skin care products and medicines and advises them on caring for their skin, hair, etc. They prescribe particular medication for rare diseases like psoriasis and eczema.

  • Consulting doctors

A medical aesthetician consults with doctors on the health conditions of their patients. An aesthetician is more concerned about the person’s physical appearance so that they can find out certain clues about the health condition of their patient through the physical appearance, like the color of the skin, nails, hair, and even eyes.

Aestheticians’ duties can vary depending on whether they work in a day spa or medical setting. “Medical aesthetics is the anti-aging part of the skincare industry,” says Dr. Susan Ciminelli, a holistic health and beauty guru who has been operating her eponymous spa for over 30 years.

Medical estheticians might have additional responsibilities, such as drawing blood or administering Botox injections.

Education, Training, and Other Requirements

To become a medical aesthetician, you must complete a high school education and a postsecondary training program. A high school diploma is generally required for enrollment in any vocational program. You’ll also want to consider taking classes in related subjects such as biology, chemistry, and art to prepare yourself for the profession better.

Next, you’ll need to complete your postsecondary education at an accredited school of esthetics or cosmetology. These programs typically take nine months to one year to complete, depending on where you go to school and what classes you take.

The coursework will include classroom instruction and hands-on practice with various clients. When you’re done with the program, you’ll need to take an exam to receive your license as an aesthetician.

After completing a program, applicants must take and pass an exam to become certified by the state’s board of cosmetology. The exam covers safety and sanitation, skin care techniques and treatments, anatomy and physiology, and cosmetic procedures.

Job Outlook for Medical Aestheticians

There are many reasons to become a medical aesthetician, but one of the best is the job outlook. Medical estheticians can expect a 34% increase in jobs over the next 10 years. This growth rate is much faster than the average for all professions, meaning there will be around 20,000 new jobs in the next decade.

This growth rate is because of several factors, including an aging population, new technologies, and increasing demand. The aging population in the United States and worldwide requires more medical care.

As people age, they are more likely to need medical aesthetic services to treat skin problems associated with aging. New technologies and procedures are also increasing the demand for these services.

Also, people are increasingly turning to medical spas, which are similar in structure to today’s spas but are under the supervision of a medical doctor. Medical spas offer more invasive procedures, including chemical peels, microdermabrasion, and Botox injections. As the number of medical spas increases, more skincare specialists will be needed to perform treatments.

Average Income

The average salary for a medical aesthetician is $40,000 per year. But that average can change dramatically depending on where you work and your experience.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median wage is $11.95 an hour, or about $24,800 annually. Aesthetician jobs in physicians’ offices pay a median salary of $14.25 an hour, or about $29,700 annually.

If you’re looking for a high-paying job in this field, consider working at a plastic surgeon’s or dermatologist’s office. Those pay more than medispas because the demand for those services is higher, and most patients will pay more for products and services from those offices.

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What are the Perks of Being an Aesthetician?

What are the pros and cons of a career as an aesthetician? Let’s start with the perks. Aesthetician work is very flexible and can be done part-time or full-time, which appeals to many people.

There is also a wide variety of specialties that you can choose from, so it’s easy to find something that fits your interests and abilities. For example, you might focus on body massage, facials, and scrubs, but other specialty areas exist. Another benefit is that you may have the chance to work in high-end salons and exclusive spas where you’ll have access to the latest beauty products and techniques.

Finally, although the pay may not be high initially, it can multiply as you build up your clientele and become more experienced.

What are the Drawbacks of Being an Aesthetician?

Being an aesthetician can be rewarding, but like any profession, there are some potential drawbacks. Here are a few to consider:

  1. Physical demands: Aestheticians spend a lot of time on their feet, which can be exhausting and lead to physical strain and discomfort.
  2. Irregular hours: Many aestheticians work evenings and weekends to accommodate clients’ schedules, making it challenging to maintain a work-life balance.
  3. Exposure to chemicals: Aestheticians often work with products that contain chemicals, which can be irritating or harmful if not used properly.
  4. Emotionally taxing: Aestheticians often develop close relationships with clients, and it can be emotionally taxing to listen to clients’ problems while remaining professional.
  5. Income variability: Aestheticians’ income can vary depending on the location, the clientele, and the services provided. Some aestheticians struggle to make ends meet, while others earn a comfortable living.

Another potential drawback is that many states regulate this profession strictly, so getting your license or certification may take longer than usual because of many requirements.

Conclusion

If you are looking for a job as a medical aesthetician, it is understandable that you would want all the information possible before fully committing to the position. Because of this, you need to take your time, ask questions and research your options carefully. Start by determining the training program’s reputation and whether it is full-time or part-time.

Then you should research the experience they will offer the students and the type of clinical hours they provide, and decide if this is what you are seeking. Analyzing these crucial questions, whether online or in person, can help ease some of your concerns when investing in your profession.

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