Aestheticians are a unique breed of skin care specialists. If, you meet an aesthetician within any group of cosmetologists, nurses or medical group, you will find she is likely going to stand out with pride. A major contributing factor behind the pride of an aesthetician is that they know while they are not dermatologists and in 99.9 % of the would not want to be , they are skin care specialists of the face and body as it relates to facial aesthetics.

Aestheticians have had great successes and some setbacks through the past 20 years. One of the major contributing factors for aestheticians becoming a more respectable and an identifiable group of skin care specialists is their growing direct working relationships with physicians.

An aestheticians license work requires each licensee to have outstanding communication, facial aesthetics skills and business savvy. They have completed a specialized course of instruction of a minimum 750 to 1200 hours. They continue their specialized courses in Facials Aesthetics, Chemical Peeling Procedures, Medical Aesthetics, Laser Skills, Clinical Skin Care Management, Permanent Cosmetics and Electrology, only after they have received their basic program.

Licensed Skin Care Professionals are truly a unique group of specialized skin care providers when you compare their numbers to cosmetologists. They are not hairdressers.

They do not perform under an " operators license." Aestheticians practice " Facial Aesthetics" and have strengthened their ability to obtain competive skin care roles through organizations like Aestheticians International Association ( AIA) and obtaining Clinical Skin Care Education .

The aestheticians training is hundreds of hours in comparison to the cosmetologists which is about 2-6-8 hours. Although a cosmetologist may legally perform a " facial" under their license they are not aestheticians nor are they licensed skin care specialists.

Aestheticians have had to bridge their backgrounds from nursing and includes an Facial Aesthetics Instructors License to become better qualified skin care providers in the health care system.

In the State of Texas there are approximately 84 Facial Aesthetics Instructors and approximately 1200 licensed aestheticians and only 16 approved TDLR CEU Providers.

What are the problems?

The number 1 problem is that the aesthetician is still regualted through Cosmetology State Board. If , a cosmetologist instructor teaches an aesthetician " Facial Aesthetics" then that instructor should be an aesthetician and a facial aesthetics instructor . The best aesthetics instructors are finding more opportunity for personal and professional growth through teaching nurses, aestheticians and physicians in  Medical Aesthetics Programs offered in clinics, hospitals and Medical Aesthetics FACE ®Conference.

Common questions asked from physicians seeking a Licensed Skin Care Professional for their Medical Office
 

What are best credentials for physicians to look for when they are hiring one for their office?

Physicians should seek an Aestheticians License , Cidesco Diplomate Certification, ITEC certification, CITBAC, nursing license ( LPN/RN ), Facial Aesthetics Instructor License, Medical Aesthetics Certification.

Where did the aesthetician learn clinical skills?

An aesthetician provides comprehensive clinical skin care management skills that niether a nurse or  general aesthetician basic education has provided.  The aesthetician has garnered  Facial Aesthetics clinical treatments through CEU programs provided throughout the U.S. and outside of the U.S.

What did it take to become an  Facial Aesthetics Instructor?

The actual license mandates that you become an aesthetician first then you can apply for an instructors program. You must have practiced 2 years before taking a Facial Aesthetics Instructor Program. You have 1500 hours (aesthetics instruction and instructors hours combined ) of  specialized training and practiced  2 years in order to teach Facial Aesthetics.You must take orals, written, demonstrate skills and present a teaching class demonstation.You receive a License for Facial Aesthetics Instructor once you pass the state exam.

Do you believe an aesthetician coming out of school is prepared to work in a medical environment?

It all depends on the specialization  that she may be entering. In general, the aesthetician needs specialization clinical skin care training/CEU before entering a medical environment.

Why do dermatologists not like aestheticians?

Many dermatologists do have an aesthetician within their medical office. Many believe they add little benefit to their patients dermatological care. In actuality, the aesthetician could provide so much to their practice both in business development and continuity of patient care.

What makes the best qualified Licensed Skin Care Professional?

The  aesthetician that has obtained years of  integrated specialized training,  clinical experience and understanding of how to merge facial aesthetics speciality license with more comprehensive clinical skin care management program is the best  skin care professional prepared to work with dermatologists, plastic surgeons and facial plastic surgeons from day one.

The nurse that has garnered facial aesthetics skills , business skills and understand how to move the client-patient-patron concept is more likely to make a very competive skin care professional.

Licensed Skin care Professionals: Nurse-Aestheticians

Nurses ( LPN/RN ) have a great opportunity to become recognized for their contributions in Medical Aesthetics. Rather the nurse is an LPN or RN, each has an an opportunity to grow as a skin care professional . The key factor here is that the "nurse" obtains a specialized certification in Facial Aesthetics in order to pursue goals as a licensed skin care professional.