Medical Aesthetician Career Profile

September 24, 2021

A medical aesthetician specializes in skin care and works directly with patients. They are closely associated with the field of dermatology, and many medical aestheticians work alongside dermatologists. Aestheticians 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.

In this post, we are going to cover in-depth what a medical aesthetician career looks like, and how to become a medical aesthetician, and why attending medical aesthetician training courses is a great step for aestheticians looking to enhance their earning potential.

The Difference between Aestheticians and Cosmetologists

To the uninitiated it is understandable that aestheticians be confused for cosmetologists. While there does exist some crossover, cosmetologists are generally not employed in a medical setting, nor do they perform any procedures. As the word implies, cosmetologists are more involved with the application of cosmetics, such as make-up and/or hairstyling. Whereas a medical aesthetician provides ongoing healthcare and medical treatment of skin for patients/clients.

Where Aestheticians Work

A medical aesthetician may be employed by a hospital, medical practice, or any healthcare facility. Additionally, aestheticians may also work in salons or medical spas. It is quite common for plastic surgery practices and dermatologists to employ medical aestheticians due to the nature of their clientele and what the clientele desires.

Many aestheticians choose to be self-employed. By going this route, they are able to contract themselves out to medical facilities. In other instances, some medical aestheticians build their own client base and therefore can maintain their own office space.

What do Medical Aestheticians Do?

Thanks to their background, education, and advanced aesthetician training, medical aestheticians are able to provide a wide variety of services and procedures to their clients. Here’s a look at what a typical day for a medical aesthetician might look like:

  • Meet with clients/patients by appointment, in which they provide consultation on skin care needs, routine, and procedures.
  • Examine a client’s/patient’s skin and recommend a skin care regiment and products, provide pre- and post-operative skin care, or help manage the effects of skin diseases or skin conditions such as rashes or other outbreaks
  • Help minimize the appearance of various skin imperfections. This can include clearing of acne, lessening the appearance of surgical scars, and in some cases tattoo removal.
  • Help a patient reduce the look of aging on the skin.
  • Typical services might inlcude:
    • Chemical Peels
    • Scrubs
    • Laser hair removal
    • Laser skin treatment
    • And more!

Medical Aesthetician Job Outlook and Average Income

Now is the time to be a medical aesthetician. The Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates there are over 71,000 skincare specialists employed in the United States. They also predict a huge 11% growth rate each year; which is well above the national average for nearly every other industry.

According to Salary.com, the average medical aesthetician salary in Arizona is over $48,000. Further study into this number indicates that the salary has a direct correlation on where and for whom a medical aesthetician is employed.

How to Become a Medical Aesthetician

Aestheticians must complete a training program that is accredited by the State Board of Cosmetology. These programs are typically offered at a vocational school in the state in which you want to practice. Every state in the United States, except for Connecticut, requires aestheticians pass a licensure exam.

Once a student has passed their aesthetician training, they must then complete additional, medical aesthetician training courses. These additional programs consist of a classroom portion and a hands-on, competency portion in order to gain the added licensures and certifications. Each state has differing requirements as far as hours of classroom education and hands-on training. Examples of medical aesthetician education courses include a laser training course, medical aesthetician skin-care training, or a Master Lever medical aesthetician program designed to prepare aestheticians to work in a medical environment.

Additionally, current healthcare professionals, such as nurses, medical assistants, or physicians can take expedited courses, such as a medical professional laser training program. This program is only 24 hours of classroom didactic education, and upon completion, students are certified to perform non-ionizing cosmetic laser procedures.

Med-Surg Academy: Medical Aesthetician Training in Scottsdale

If a career as a medical aesthetician is something you are considering pursuing, or if you’re a licensed aesthetician looking to bolster your skincare service offerings, then don’t delay and sign up for any of our Medical Aesthetician training programs in Phoenix, Arizona. Med-Surg Academy is located in Paradise Valley and offers multiple medical aesthetician courses and certifications throughout the year. Contact us to learn more, click here for financial information, or register for medical aesthetician courses today!

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