Aesthetician vs Cosmetologist vs Dermatologist: What’s the Difference?

If you have a passion for all things beauty, chances are you have considered a career as a cosmetologist or as an aesthetician, or even a dermatologist. So, what’s the difference between these three great career options? And how to their respective jobs compare to one another? We’ve got you covered! We’ve put together this helpful guide to identify the differences, and similarities, between aestheticians, cosmetologists, and dermatologists to help you figure our which career choice might be best for you! Let’s get started!

Aestheticians

What is an aesthetician?

In the very simplest of terms, an aesthetician helps a client’s/patient’s skin look as best as it possibly can. This is achieved through the combination of scientific, evidence based knowledge with practical know-how in order to provide the best possible care for their clients. Aestheticians work in a wide range of different settings from spas, to salons, to medical offices working alongside dermatologists implementing advanced skin care routines and treatments. estheticians provide a variety of services, procedures, products, and consultations to help improve and maintain the appearance and health of the client’s or patient’s skin. Medical aestheticians are trained and licensed skin care specialists who work together with other medical professionals in medical settings doing laser and light-based procedures. Medical estheticians help patients with skin conditions, skin traumas and aging skin to heal and rejuvenate the appearance of the skin. Medical estheticians can administer chemical peels, microdermabrasion, laser therapy, and potent acids.

How to become an Aesthetician?

Medical Aestheticians require advanced and intense training and education in order to provide the skin care treatments many patients require. Aestheticians need to be at least 18 years of age, have a high school diploma, and complete advanced aesthetician training courses which include classroom education hours as well as hands-on training demonstrations of treatments and procedures to demonstrate competency. Each state has different hours requirement for aesthetician licensure. Students who want more training can complete specialized medical aesthetician courses after completing their initial aesthetician program. These courses range in length from a few days to a few weeks and can cover skills that require hands-on training such as laser programs, advanced skin care training programs, or advanced Master Programs for aestheticians.

What Does an Aesthetician Do?”

The primary function of an aesthetician is to work with their patients to improve their skin. In a typical day, aestheticians will consult with patients one-on-one about skin care routines and treatments, advise patients on which skin care products are recommended, and perform professional, non-invasive treatments such as facials, exfoliation, skin rejuvenation, and laser treatments. Medical aestheticians can often be found working hand in hand with a team of physicians or a dermatologist to help carry out a prescribed skin care routine and/or treatment.

Cosmetologists

What is a cosmetologist?

A cosmetologist is primarily concerned with the surface level appearance of their clients. This can include, but is not limited to a client’s hair, makeup/skin, nails, and more. Cosmetologists are equipped with a wide range of skills that they leverage to transform their clients through makeup, hair styling and hair coloring. Cosmetologists are found working in salons and spas, and some have their own business.

How to become a cosmetologist?

Cosmetologists attend a cosmetology school or training program. These programs generally last around 40 weeks, and can take even longer if you choose to specialize in a particular area. Those that choose to go into cosmetology have an artistic talent, can listen well, have a passion for working with people, and can take people’s description/dreams and turn them into a reality be it for hair styling, makeup, or manicures/pedicures.

What Does a Cosmetologist Do?

Thanks to their training in cosmetology school, cosmetologists are able to offer a range of cosmetic services, or they can choose to specialize in a particular service. Cosmetologists are known for their abilities in makeup, hair care, and nail care. Career wise, cosmetologists can become makeup artists, nail artists, hairstylists, or hair colorists. Many cosmetologists choose to enhance their service offerings by becoming a licensed aesthetician once they have completed cosmetology school. In order for a cosmetologist to offer aesthetician services, they need to complete the proper aesthetician training programs and show proficiency in various treatments.

Dermatologists

What is a dermatologist?

A dermatologist is a medical doctor who specializes in treating skin, hair, and nail conditions, illnesses, and diseases. Dermatologists are able to prescribe pharmaceutical medications as treatments in certain situations in order to treat, and often cure, skin issues. Furthermore, dermatologists offer both surgically invasive and non-invasive skin care treatments, depending on the level, or intensity, of the ailment.

How to become a dermatologist?

Becoming a dermatologist takes roughly 12 years of post-secondary education. Dermatologists are medical doctors who, while during med school, develop a special interest in skin conditions and anatomy. Dermatologists must complete a bachelor’s degree, medical school, and four years of residency before qualification.

What Does a Dermatologist Do?

Dermatologists work to treat patients for a very wide range of conditions including everything from acne to skin cancers. Dermatologists often specialize in skincare though, and in these instances, there are parallels between the services they offer, and the ones offered by cosmetologists and estheticians. However, when comparing esthetician vs. dermatologist jobs there are some specialized treatments that only dermatologists can carry out including the removal of cancerous tissue for example, or the ability to prescribe prescription medication as another example. Dermatologists often work alongside medical aestheticians, especially in cases where a patient will require on-going, non-invasive, skin care treatments, such as for chronic acne.

Med-Surg Academy: Helping You Decide Which Career Path is Right For You

Deciding on a career path is never an easy choice, regardless of what industry you are looking to join. However, understanding each role above should at least give you a foundation for making that decision. At Med-Surg Academy, we might be a little bias but we believe that learning how to become a medical aesthetician is the best choice one can make for their career. As an aesthetician, you are able to help patients achieve their skin care goals, while also treating chronic skin care ailments (such as acne). Aestheticians are also on the cutting edge of skin care treatments, learning the latest laser treatment techniques and more. If you are interested in learning more about becoming a medical aesthetician, browse our aesthetician training program offerings or submit an inquiry directly to us to learn more.