How long does it take to be an esthetician? – The nature of the profession of cosmetology is evident in the name. The word “esthetician” comes from the word “aesthetics,” which is the study and appreciation of the concepts of beauty and art. As such, estheticians are professional “beauticians” who perform a wide range of cosmetic services.
Beauty experts are basically skincare professionals. They offer skin care treatments to clients. Common treatments include face wax, make-up treatments, chemical peels, and beauty consultations. Often there are beauticians in salons; here, they perform waxing, pore cleaning, and exfoliating treatments.
What does an esthetician do?
Estheticians or beauticians are also trained in identifying skin conditions and can provide daily skin care advice to clients and help discover daily skin treatment regimens. They also help with plastic surgery recovery for dermatological patients, as well as provide advice on makeup and cosmetology.
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Many beauty experts are also involved in the marketing of cosmetics and selling creams, lotions and other skin care products. Basically, the world of the esthetician is large and extensive and there are a number of possible career paths one could take.
Skin care treatments are highly specialized, so estheticians need proper training and have a deep understanding of skin’s composition and biological properties. As such, estheticians must first undergo a rigorous training program to learn these skills. Most states require aestheticians to have a state approved license to operate. This is granted by passing the licensing exam.
While many beauty experts are employed in a salon or spa, more and more beauty experts are choosing to work on their own.
Qualities of an esthetician
Cosmetologists specialize in skin care, so they need to know a lot about their main topic of study: skin. As such, cosmetologists study to see the biological and mechanical properties of the skin and how these facts relate to cosmetic applications. Being a beautician is basically a service position, so beauticians need good skills and must frequently focus on customer service.
- Creativity
Beauticians are all about beauty. Part of this art is to destroy shared expectations. As such, estheticians need a unique and creative eye. Creativity in your style / designs is an important part of reaching and retaining clients and a dose of originality is essential to enhance your unique style in the market. Following the same trends is a surefire way to keep yourself from getting apart.
- Sympathy and compassion
Cosmetologists work in an area that deals with some of the most vulnerable aspects of human psychology. Many people are self-conscious about their appearances and have serious issues about the ways in which they present themselves.
Beauty experts exist in the first place to make people feel good about themselves. Sometimes this means matching their idea of themselves in their head with their actual physical appearance. For this reason, being a beautician requires a level of empathy, compassion, and a willingness to create a judgment-free space for clients where they feel comfortable. In fact, there is a lot of the joy of being a beauty guru in helping people feel more comfortable with their looks.
- Time management and organizational skills
Since most estheticians work on a client-by-client basis, it is up to them to find and keep clients and keep their schedules private. Doing so requires possessing good organizational and time management skills. You must be able to organize your appointments and have a meticulous work style.
Oftentimes, appointments are often late so schedule flexibility is a must. Beauticians often work on the weekends, too.
- Technical knowledge
Being a beautician is a specialized profession that requires a lot of in-depth knowledge and technical knowledge. Aside from performing specific procedures, estheticians need to know the theory and science of how and why their procedures work and how they can be modified according to the specific needs of the client.
- Working skill
More beauty professionals are self-employed than ever before. Even non-self-employed estheticians still need to understand the details behind the beauty business, including how the salon is run or managed, and deals with regulations, taxes, and product trends.
How long does it take to be an esthetician?
Generally, beauticians need a state-issued license to operate. Exact requirements vary from state to state, but most require that licensing applicants be at least 16-17 years old and have received a technical education from a Certified Beautician program.
The exact lengths of these programs vary, but most states require at least 600 clinical hours. Twenty-nine states require aspiring cosmetologists to complete a program of at least 600 hours of training. According to the ASCP, about 80 percent of estheticians graduate with 600 hours or more of training, although some states require less than 300 hours or as many as 1,500 hours.
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There is no specific license for a Florida cosmetologist, but you must complete at least 260 hours of training to become a registered beautician. In order to become a Connecticut esthetician, you must obtain a beautician license, which requires 1,500 hours of training. Before you begin your aesthetic training, be sure to contact your state’s aesthetic board to determine the exact aesthetic licensing requirements where you live.
Do you need to go to college to be a esthetician?
To get the education required to take the state licensing exam, there are two main options: you can take an intensive beauty course or attend a full-fledged beauty school.
A beautician degree can open that door as well, but estheticians usually need additional licensing and certification to work specifically as a beautician.
Many programs also offer MSc courses in cosmetology that are more advanced subjects and require much more training hours. Most states require at least 1,200 practical hours to obtain a esthetician certification.
Esthetician Accreditation
Strictly speaking, you don’t need to attend a certified beauty program to become a beautician. However, attending an accredited program makes it much easier.
First of all, cosmetology programs accredited by the National Accreditation Commission for Professional Arts and Sciences (NACCAS) ensure that your degree from program completion is recognized in all states. Second, an accredited program means that the program meets certain educational requirements that are acceptable to all states and beauty employers. Third, students in nationally accredited programs are eligible for federal financial aid from the U.S. Department of Education. In contrast, non-accredited programs are not subject to the same national educational standards and do not qualify for federal financial aid. However, unapproved software can still be licensed.