A skin care specialist who works in the cosmetology field is known as an esthetician. An esthetician analyzes the skin and performs facials as well as other skin treatments such as body wraps, pore cleansing, and exfoliation. Hair removal and aromatherapy are two other services offered by some estheticians. There are two types of esthetician programs available to those interested in pursuing a career as an esthetician.
A degree program is one type of esthetician program. Students enrolled in an esthetician degree program will study theory and practice treatments on live models to learn about esthiology. When a student completes the program, she will be ready to take the licensing exam for the state in which she lives. These programs are usually offered at a local technical or community college and require additional coursework in order to earn an Associate’s Degree.
A certificate program is the other type of esthetician program. Students in an esthetician certificate program will primarily focus on practice when learning about esthiology. Certificate programs emphasize on-the-job training and do not award an Associate’s Degree to students who successfully complete the program. A student who completes a certificate program, like a degree program, will be prepared to take a state licensing exam. Certificate programs are available at community colleges and technical schools, but they are most commonly found at private beauty academies or schools.
Both types of esthetician programs are available by studying cosmetology, regardless of which program you choose. A student will enroll in a cosmetology program with the option of specializing in esthiology. This is a popular option because students graduate from their respective programs with a broader set of skills than if they had only focused on esthiology.
Before enrolling in an esthetician program, it’s critical to understand the benefits and drawbacks of the various options. Students who want to continue their education can benefit from esthetic programs that offer an associate degree. Many estheticians choose to work as paramedical estheticians in the medical field or in a specialized field like dermatology. Esthetician programs that offer an Associate’s degree are frequently eligible for Federal Financial Aid to assist with tuition costs.
Students who are certain they do not want to pursue a formal education will benefit from esthetic certificate programs. Many private certificate programs, on the other hand, are very expensive, and federal financial aid is rarely available at these schools and academies.