What Is an Aesthetician and What Do They Do

An aesthetician, sometimes spelled "esthetician," is a skincare expert who specializes in improving the appearance and health of the skin. If you’re wondering what is an aesthetician, they are professionals trained to perform various skin treatments to help clients look and feel their best. The term "esthetician" is commonly used in American English, while "aesthetician" is more frequent in British English. These experts work in settings like spas, salons, and clinics.

• An aesthetician provides treatments such as facials, chemical peels, and waxing.

• While estheticians typically focus on cosmetic skincare, medical aestheticians assist with more advanced procedures in clinical environments.

Responsibility / Focus Area	Description
Providing a Variety of Skin Care Treatments	Administering treatments like facials, peels, and waxing tailored to each client’s needs.
Deep Knowledge of Skincare Products	Understanding product ingredients to recommend effective skincare solutions.

It’s important to note that aesthetician training and services differ from those of medical skincare professionals, who are qualified to diagnose and treat skin conditions.

Key Takeaways

• Aestheticians are licensed skin care experts. They help make skin healthier and look better. They do treatments like facials, peels, and waxing. They work in spas, salons, and medical clinics. Sometimes, they work with doctors for special skin care. You need training and a license to be an aesthetician. Each state has different rules and hours for this. These rules help keep people safe and skilled. Aestheticians cannot do medical procedures or give medicine. Only licensed medical professionals can do those things. Picking a licensed aesthetician means you get safe, personal skin care. This helps you look and feel your best.

What Is an Aesthetician

Definition

An aesthetician, also called an esthetician, is a licensed skin care worker. They help people keep their skin healthy and looking good. In the United States, people use "esthetician" more. In British English, "aesthetician" is used more often. Both words mean someone who gives skin care advice and treatments.

The National Coalition of Esthetician Associations (NCEA) sets rules for estheticians. This group gives a special certificate. To get it, you must finish 1200 hours of training. This helps make sure aestheticians know what they are doing. Licensing boards say estheticians are paid to do skin care work. They do beauty treatments that help skin look better.

Note: Esthetics includes things like cleaning, scrubbing, toning, putting on makeup, and removing hair. It does not include medical or healing work.

Here are some important words to know:

Term	Definition Summary
Esthetician	A person who gets paid to do skin care and beauty treatments.
Esthetics	This means cleaning, toning, scrubbing, makeup, and hair removal.
Exclusions	Esthetics is not medicine or healing. It does not include doctor work.
Esthetics Instructor	A licensed esthetician who teaches others about esthetics.
Master Esthetician	An esthetician with extra training who can do advanced treatments.

Core Role

Aestheticians do more than just beauty work. They are trained skin care experts. They help people get healthy, glowing skin. They suggest products, do treatments, and teach clients about skin care.

Aestheticians can work in spas, salons, clinics, or medical offices. Their main job is to help skin look and feel better. They give facials, chemical peels, and remove hair. Some get extra training to work with doctors and help with serious skin problems.

To become an aesthetician, you must go to school and pass tests. Every state in the U.S. needs estheticians to have a license. This makes sure they know how to keep clients safe. Many people think estheticians only do facials and waxing. But they can also do things like laser hair removal, microdermabrasion, and LED light therapy.

Aestheticians do many things, such as:

• Checking skin types and problems

• Suggesting skin care products and routines

• Doing beauty treatments to help skin

• Teaching about sun safety and daily skin care

Aesthetician training covers many topics. They learn about products, hair removal, makeup, and massage. Many keep learning by taking classes and going to seminars. This helps them know about new trends and tools.

Tip: Not all estheticians use the same products or ways. A licensed aesthetician often changes treatments for each client.

Both words, aesthetician and esthetician, mean a licensed skin care expert. They help people look and feel good. Their work helps people of all ages have healthy, beautiful skin.

What Does an Aesthetician Do

Aesthetician Services

Aestheticians help people get healthy, glowing skin. They offer many different services for the skin. When someone asks, "what does an aesthetician do," they want to know about these treatments. The first thing at an appointment is a skin check. This helps the aesthetician see what kind of skin you have and what problems you might have. After looking at your skin, the aesthetician suggests the best treatments for you.

Some popular services are:

• Facials and skincare treatments: These include classic facials, anti-aging facials, hydrafacials, and brightening treatments.

• Chemical peels: These use special acids to take off dead skin and make skin smoother.

• Waxing and hair removal: This means shaping eyebrows, waxing legs, and bikini waxing.

• Body treatments: These are things like body wraps, back facials, and hot stone therapy for the skin on your body.

• Makeup application: Aestheticians help with makeup tips and put on makeup for special events.

• Lash and brow services: These include lash lifts, tinting, brow shaping, and eyelash extensions.

Note: Waxing is the most common service in the United States. Many people also get facials and eyelash extensions. Over 7 million people had facials in the last six months.

Here is a table that shows which services are most popular:

Service Type	Popularity / Notes
General Waxing	Most popular service across all US states
Eyelash Extensions	Tied for 2nd place in popularity (5 states)
Facials	Tied for 2nd place in popularity (5 states); over 7 million consumers had facials in last 6 months
Face Cream	Tied for 2nd place in popularity (5 states)

Aesthetician services are 83% of all treatments in medspas. IPL and skin tightening are each chosen by 63% of clients.

Advanced Treatments

Many estheticians learn extra skills for advanced treatments. These are more than basic skin care and need special training. When people visit an aesthetician, they might be surprised by all the choices.

Some advanced treatments are:

• Laser treatments: These help remove hair, tighten skin, and lighten dark spots.

• Microneedling: This uses tiny needles to help skin make more collagen and feel smoother. Estheticians must do microneedling with a doctor because it is a medical treatment.

• LED light therapy: This uses different lights to help with acne, redness, or aging.

• Medical esthetics: Some estheticians work with doctors to give cosmetic injections or help cancer patients with special skin care.

• Holistic esthetics: These use natural products and focus on feeling relaxed and healthy.

To do these advanced treatments, estheticians must finish special classes, pass tests, and keep learning new things. Safety is very important. Before starting things like laser therapy or microneedling, the aesthetician checks if you have any health problems. They tell you how to care for your skin before and after the treatment. Some treatments need a doctor to watch to keep everyone safe and stop problems like burns or infections.

Tip: Always ask about the aesthetician’s training and experience before getting advanced treatments.

Why Do People Visit an Aesthetician

People visit an aesthetician for many reasons. Most want help with skin health, beauty, or special skin problems. Some want to fix acne, dry skin, or signs of aging. Others want to relax and enjoy a facial. Aesthetician services can help people feel better about how they look.

Common reasons to visit an aesthetician are:

• Making skin look and feel better

• Treating acne, scars, or uneven skin color

• Reducing fine lines and wrinkles

• Removing hair you do not want

• Getting ready for special events with makeup or lash services

• Learning about the best skin care products and routines

When people ask what does an aesthetician do, they find out that estheticians give expert advice, special treatments, and help with all kinds of skin care needs. At an appointment, you get a skin check, talk about your goals, and get a plan made just for you.

Many people are very happy with treatments like chemical peels, laser skin resurfacing, and dermal fillers. These treatments often help skin look better and make people feel more confident.

Aesthetician services help people of all ages take care of their skin. Estheticians are important because they guide people and help them get good results for their skin.

Estheticians vs. Aestheticians

Key Differences

Estheticians and aestheticians both help with skin care, but they are not the same. Estheticians focus on beauty and helping people relax. They do facials, remove hair, and put on makeup. Their main job is to make skin look and feel better. Most estheticians go to school for about six months. Each state has its own rules for getting a license. In the U.S., estheticians usually work in spas or salons. They offer many services for general skin care.

Aestheticians get more training than estheticians. They often work in medical places. They do harder treatments like chemical peels and laser therapy. They use special skin care products. Aestheticians may help with cosmetic procedures before or after surgery. They often work with doctors, like dermatologists or plastic surgeons. In some countries, like France, estheticians train for years and learn more skills. What estheticians and aestheticians can do depends on local laws and what people think about skin care.

Here is a table that shows the main differences:

Aspect	Estheticians	Aestheticians
Work Environment	Salons, spas, wellness centers with relaxing, cozy atmospheres focused on self-care and appearance improvement.	Medical spas, dermatology offices, plastic surgery centers with sterile, clinical settings.
Scope of Practice	General skin care: facials, exfoliation, hair removal (waxing, threading), makeup application, and skincare product recommendations.	Advanced non-invasive cosmetic procedures: chemical peels, laser treatments, Botox, dermal fillers.
Job Responsibilities	Skin analysis, personalized skincare advice, facials, hair removal, makeup application, and product recommendations.	Performing cosmetic treatments without surgery, skincare consultations pre/post surgery, medical-grade treatments.
Training Requirements	Completion of state-approved beauty or cosmetology schools; licensing via state board exams or local regulations.	Specialized aesthetics programs with advanced training; additional certifications for complex treatments.
Collaboration	Primarily independent or within salons/spas.	Works closely with medical professionals like dermatologists and plastic surgeons.
Regulatory Variation	Varies by state/country; generally less standardized.	Varies by location; often requires more rigorous certification and training.

Note: In the US, "esthetician" is used for spa and salon workers. "Aesthetician" is used for those with medical training.

Work Environments

Estheticians can work in many different places. Most work in spas, salons, or wellness centers. Some find jobs in hotels, resorts, or on cruise ships. Estheticians might also work in clinics or dermatology offices. Many estheticians choose to work evenings or weekends. Some start their own businesses or travel to clients. These jobs let estheticians get to know their clients and offer many services.

Aestheticians usually work in medical places. They often work in medical spas or with doctors. These places feel more like a clinic. Aestheticians work with doctors and nurses to give advanced skin care. They may help patients before or after surgery. Some medical spas hire both estheticians and aestheticians to offer more services.

• Estheticians often work:

  • In spas or salons

  • In wellness centers

  • In hotels, resorts, or on cruise ships

  • As freelancers or business owners

• Aestheticians often work:

  • In medical spas

  • In dermatology or plastic surgery offices

  • With medical professionals

Both estheticians and aestheticians help people take care of their skin. Where they work and what they do depends on their training and the rules where they live. People can pick the right person for their skin care needs and the place they like best.

Becoming an Aesthetician

Education

To become an aesthetician, you must go to a special school. Most states say you need to finish a course that the state approves. The number of hours you need is different in each state. For example, New York wants 600 hours. California asks for 1,600 hours. Some states let you learn by working as an apprentice instead of going to class. The table below shows how many hours you need in different states:

State	Esthetician Training Hours (School)	Esthetician Training Hours (Apprenticeship)
California	1,600	3,200
Georgia	1,000	2,000
New York	600	N/A
Florida	260	N/A
Illinois	750	N/A
Pennsylvania	300	N/A

If you want to work in other countries, there are special programs. CIDESCO and ITEC are two examples. These programs teach about skincare around the world. They also teach about chemicals in products and special spa treatments.

Licensing

After you finish school, you need a license to work. Most states make you take two tests. One test is written, and one is hands-on. The Board of Cosmetology gives these tests. Some states let you use apprentice hours, but others only count classroom hours. Most states say you must be at least 16 years old. You also need a high school diploma or GED. In Connecticut, you do not need a license to be an esthetician. Aesthetician licenses are not the same as cosmetology licenses. Cosmetology covers more things and needs more hours. Some states let cosmetologists do skin care after extra classes. Before you start working, always check your state’s rules.

Tip: Always look at your state board’s website for the newest rules.

Continuing Training

Aesthetician learning does not stop after you get your license. Some states, like Texas and South Carolina, want you to take four more hours of classes every two years. These classes teach about safety, how to stop infections, and state laws. Many states do not make you take more classes, but it is still helpful. Learning new things helps you get better at your job. You usually have to renew your license every two years and pay a fee. Some states let you renew an expired license if you follow their steps.

State	Continuing Education Requirement
South Carolina	4 hours every 2 years
Texas	4 hours every 2 years
Oklahoma	None
Oregon	None
Pennsylvania	None

Aestheticians keep learning because new products and treatments come out all the time. Many take extra classes to learn about lasers, new facials, or medical spa work. This helps them give the best care to their clients.

What Aestheticians Cannot Do

Medical Procedures

Aestheticians help people with skin care, but they cannot do medical procedures. State laws and boards of cosmetology make strict rules. These rules keep clients safe. Only trained medical workers can do some treatments. Most states let aestheticians give facials, do surface skin care, wax, and put on makeup. They cannot do anything that goes deeper than the top skin layer.

Some treatments are never allowed unless a doctor is there or the law says it is okay. These include:

• Injections, like Botox or fillers

• Laser hair removal and other laser treatments

• Microneedling that goes into living skin

• Deep chemical peels

• Any invasive procedure

⚠️ If an aesthetician does these medical procedures without the right license, they can get in big trouble. They might have to pay fines, go to jail, or lose their license.

Here is a table that shows some state rules:

State	Restricted Procedures	Legal Notes
California	Laser hair removal, invasive procedures	Only licensed medical professionals can perform these treatments
Idaho	Laser treatments, microneedling with RF	Requires medical director oversight
Illinois	Microneedling, deep peels, device-based services	Physician delegation needed for anything affecting living skin layers
Florida	Microneedling, microblading, bodily intrusion devices	Must be done in a medical setting

State boards and consumer groups watch for rule breakers. They check spas or workers who do not follow the law. Businesses can close, and doctors who break rules can lose their licenses.

Prescriptions

Aestheticians cannot give out medicine. Only doctors or nurse practitioners can do this. Even if an aesthetician works in a medical spa, they cannot write prescriptions or hand out prescription drugs.

In some places, an aesthetician can help with treatments if a doctor is watching. They must always follow the rules for their license. They should never say they are a medical provider. Using names like "medical aesthetician" can confuse people, so it is important to be clear.

Region	Can Aestheticians Prescribe Medications?	Who Can Prescribe?
United States	No	Doctors, nurse practitioners
Malaysia	No	Medically trained practitioners
Singapore	No	Doctors
India	No	Licensed medical professionals
South Korea	No	Licensed medical practitioners
Thailand	No	Licensed medical professionals

Note: Breaking these rules can mean criminal charges, fines, or losing your license. In California, fines can be as high as $50,000, and jail time can be up to five years for illegal medical work.

Aestheticians must always follow the law. They keep clients safe by not doing medical work and letting doctors handle those jobs.

An aesthetician gives expert help for skin care. Estheticians work in spas and help people relax and look good. Aestheticians often work with doctors to help with bigger skin problems. People should pick the right person for their skin needs. They can check licenses on state boards or websites. If you want to be an aesthetician, you need to get certified. You should also practice your skills and learn to talk well with clients. Picking a good aesthetician keeps you safe and helps your skin look better for a long time.

FAQ

What is the difference between an aesthetician and a dermatologist?

A dermatologist is a doctor for skin problems. They find out what is wrong and give medicine. An aesthetician helps with skin care and beauty. Aestheticians cannot find or treat skin diseases.

How long does it take to become a licensed aesthetician?

Most states want you to train for 600 to 1,600 hours. This training takes about six months to one year. After school, you must pass a test to get your license.

Can an aesthetician treat acne?

Aestheticians can help with mild acne using facials and peels. They also give advice about products. They cannot give medicine or treat bad acne. If you have serious acne, you need to see a dermatologist.

Where do aestheticians usually work?

Aestheticians work in spas, salons, and clinics. Some work with dermatologists or plastic surgeons. Many start their own businesses.

Do you need a license to be an aesthetician in every state?

Most states say you need a license to work as an aesthetician. Connecticut is the only state that does not need a license. Always check your state’s rules before you start working.