What's the Difference Between an Aesthetician and Esthetician?
Esthetician and aestheticians are licensed skin specialists. They are trained to analyze and cleanse skin through a variety of techniques. Estheticians can be found in spas and salons, while aestheticians typically work in medical settings.
The Difference Between an Aesthetician and an Esthetician
There really is no difference between aestheticians and estheticians just a variation in spelling. However, there are estheticians that work out of different settings, such as skin care specialists, who work out of salons and spas, and medical aestheticians, who work out of medical settings.
Skin Care Specialists
Traditional estheticians, also known as skin care specialists, clean skin through skin exfoliation, massage, aromatherapy and facials. They also analyze skin for problems, as well as temporarily remove hair. Estheticians may apply makeup and consult individuals on the best products for their skin type. Estheticians can be found in beauty salons, resorts, fitness clubs and spas.
Medical Aestheticians
Medical aestheticians, also known as clinical or paramedical aestheticians, are skin care specialists that work with cancer patients, burn victims and others with health-related issues. They treat and maintain facial skin that's been damaged because of fire, surgery, chemotherapy treatments and other incidents. Medical aestheticians are responsible for helping patients cleanse and moisturize their skin, as well as choose and apply the right makeup. Medical aestheticians work in hospitals, burn units, trauma centers, reconstructive surgery centers and other healthcare facilities.
Education and Licensure Requirements
Estheticians or aestheticians typically complete formal education in cosmetology or esthetician training. Programs are available as associate degree, certificate and diploma programs. Regardless of the type of program, an esthetician must complete practical training to be eligible for licensure. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), all states require personal appearance workers, such as skin care specialists, to be licensed (www.bls.gov). Licensure requirements vary by state, but typically include formal training and a high school diploma.
Career Outlook and Salary Information
According to the BLS, the job outlook for estheticians is expected to be much faster than average at 38% from 2008-2018 (www.bls.gov). Salaries for skin care specialists and medical aestheticians range depending on the years of experience. Naturally, individuals with one year of experience may earn less than those with five or more years of experience. Salary figures reported for December 2010 on PayScale.com ranged from $20,347-66,829 for skin care specialists.
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