What is an Esthetician? | Chattanooga College

Apr 6, 2022

What is an Esthetician? Estheticians are cosmetologists who specialize in the beautification, health, and cleanliness of skin, especially on the face and hands. They are highly skilled professionals that their clients trust to make their skin look and feel as good as possible.

What tasks do estheticians do?

Estheticians specialize in a wide variety of tasks relating to skincare and beautification. 

The tasks you will be expected to perform as an esthetician depends on where you are employed, but a few of the most common ones include:

  • Cosmetic treatments
  • Provide facials
  • Superficial Chemical Peels
  • Waxing
  • Massaging
  • And more

Job Outlook

The job outlook for those interested in becoming an esthetician is excellent right now, and it is only going to get better over this decade. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that the job market for estheticians will grow by as much as 17% in the next ten years.

Career Paths

In most places, estheticians go to school to get licensed before joining the field. However, once you do get your license, there are several potential career paths for you to choose from. These include

  • Spa work (as an owner, manager, or general esthetician)
  • Facial hair specialist (primarily related to eyebrows and eyelashes)
  • Makeup Artist
  • Medical Esthetician 
  • Body hair removal expert/ spa waxer
  • Esthetician Course Instructor, preparing the next generation of estheticians for the field
  • Cosmetics salesperson
  • And more

Succeeding as an Esthetician

As with most jobs, there is no single, clear-cut path to becoming a successful esthetician. However, there are some skills and knowledge that it greatly benefits you to possess. For example, you want to have expert social skills, since you’ll need to directly interact and bond with clients. Your customers want to feel pampered and special, and they want to know that you care about them and their wellbeing.

Other skills that benefit an esthetician include:

  • Empathy
  • Attention to detail
  • Patience
  • Organization
  • Time Management
  • Problem Solving
  • Communication skills
  • Networking 

Conclusion

Estheticians are highly skilled skincare experts, and anyone that’s passionate about the subject should consider becoming one. But you need a license and a formal education to get started, and Chattanooga College can help you attain them. You’ll have access to flexible scheduling and, if you qualify, financial aid. Talk to one of our advisors today!

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