So, what do you learn in esthetician school? If you’ve been thinking about your career in esthetics, you’ve probably thought about starting an esthetician program. There are many good reasons to be interested in esthetician careers, beginning with the promising industry outlook. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook for skincare specialists is projected to grow a whopping 29% between 2020 and 2030. It’ll also be an environment where you get to help others feel beautiful and healthy while you explore your passion. 

 

You might be thinking pretty hard about starting your education and going to esthetician school. Are you wondering what you’ll be doing and learning while you’re there? Every esthetician program is unique, and they won’t always offer the same courses. But, there are some things you can expect to see in most of them. We’ll discuss some of the answers to your question “what do you learn in esthetician school”.

Massage

Massage is an integral part of what many salons and day spas offer. It’s also a complex practice with many unique disciplines under the same umbrella. Depending on your program, you might learn about and perform specific massage styles, such as European facial massage or hot stone massages. 

Makeup

Many programs will teach you a lot about makeup. You will likely learn how to apply makeup, but you may also learn how to analyze the ingredients in cosmetics. You might also learn some of the science behind how makeup functions. As a skin specialist, it’ll be helpful for you not only to understand how to apply makeup but how makeup works. 

Electricity

Many esthetician programs will offer courses in electrical technology and the science behind electricity. This might sound surprising, but it makes perfect sense. As an esthetician, you may find yourself using complex technology to treat clients. You’ll likely use a variety of electrical devices to carry out essential skincare procedures and treatments. It’s essential to understand how electricity works so that you can do so safely and efficiently.

Anatomy and Physiology

Many programs will offer courses in anatomy and physiology—studying our physical bodies. That’s because as an esthetician, you’ll be dealing with peoples’ physical appearance. When it comes to skincare, hair removal, and even applying makeup, understanding the science behind our bodies will help you inform your clients better and understand how procedures might affect them.

 

These courses may focus mainly on certain parts of the body, such as muscles—important for understanding massage, and skin—important for understanding healthy skincare. 

Chemistry

Aside from anatomy, physiology, and electricity, other scientific courses you may end up taking might involve chemistry. As a skincare specialist, you will need to understand chemistry for several reasons. 

 

Makeup and many other skincare products have chemical makeups that may be important to you or your clients. This part of the course will also help you understand the chemistry behind healthy skin and how different products might interact with skin. Understanding chemistry will also help foster your understanding of anatomy and physiology. 

Microdermabrasion 

Microdermabrasion is a specialized procedure that can help clear up skin after problems like sun damage and acne. Many esthetician programs will teach you specific techniques such as microdermabrasion. 

 

More specialized procedures like microdermabrasion will likely become more common as technology evolves. Depending on your program, you might spend some time learning about them, how they work, and how to perform them. 

Aromatherapy

You might also learn about other specialized types of care, such as aromatherapy. Different programs will emphasize different specialties, but a common one is aromatherapy. While aromatherapy may sound simple, a lot goes into it, such as blending oils and knowing which oils to use for what purpose. Some oils are safe for the skin but cannot be ingested or put near the eyes, so it’ll be essential for you to be familiar with aromatherapy if you hope to practice it in your career. 

Waxing and Other Hair Removal Methods

Another important thing you’ll likely learn in esthetician school is hair removal methods. As a skincare specialist, you may be interested in removing unwanted body hair for clients. Depending on the program, you might be instructed in specialized procedures such as waxing or laser hair removal. 

Conclusion

So, what do you learn in esthetician school? Esthetician school can teach you a lot! While you might be surprised by some of the course listings different programs offer, they’re all important for various facets of the esthetics world. In esthetician school, you’ll likely learn a large variety of techniques, disciplines, and sciences. Knowledge can be your greatest asset in any career, and becoming an esthetician is no exception.

 

If you’ve been considering a career as an esthetician and you don’t know where to start, consider Chatanooga College. We offer a robust esthetician program that you can complete in as little as nine months. If you’re still wondering “what do you learn in esthetician school”, reach out and speak with one of our advisors today.