How to Become a Medical Esthetician: the myths, realities, and state regulations

Welcome back to this week’s Aesthetician Coach Blog! Let’s talk about being a medical esthetician. 

Is there such a thing? Is it a made up title or simply marketing?  

There is a lot of controversy and miscommunication on this topic so I thought it would be a good one to discuss. Some are fiercely devoted to not using the term medical esthetician and they don’t approve of those that do. I see lots of arguments break out in facebook groups over the topic. 

So let’s talk about it. There’s not a medical esthetician certification that I’m aware of. I know some states do have a paramedical certification program. Some school’s, depending on your state, will offer advanced classes on dermaplanning, lasers and chemical peels. 

So, why use the title medical aesthetician? To me it designates that you are performing more advanced procedures under a medical director or doctor. You're doing the rf microneedling, lasers, stronger peels etc. the types of services that require you to be under the supervision of a medical director. I personally have no issues with this designation. I think it’s a great way to distinguish yourself and what type of services you offer to your clients. 

However, I realize it’s tricky because of the amount of regulations and non-regulations within our industry and it varies state to state. We do need more continuing education options and there needs to be a standardized system in place across the country, in my opinion. The thing about that though is it also scares me that they would potentially take away things that estheticians can currently do in some states. I definitely don’t want them to take treatments away from estheticians. 

It would be amazing if we did have a standardized medical esthetician program across the country that you could attend and receive a license for a more advanced program. This would ensure safety for estheticians and clients. It would help estheticians get paid their worth in the treatment room. It would also hold esthetics schools to a higher standard of education.  

As of now every state has their own set of rules for estheticians and the hours required to become an esthetician are also varied state by state with some states requiring 250-3000 hours to be licensed. There’s just such a huge gap in hours required to become an esthetician.  Even when offering botox and injections. States are all over the place. Some states you have to be a doctor or dentist to inject while others allow RN's and nurse practitioners to do these services. So the bottom line is to be sure that whatever services that you want to provide as an esthetician or if you want to become an injector– just make sure that your state allows you to practice in that role. 

How to Become a Medical Esthetician—Pathways 

1. Traditional Esthetician Training:

Find a school in your state, attend the required number of hours and take the state board licensing exam.

2. Advanced Certifications:

Depending on your state some schools do offer advanced certification and medical aesthetics training in lasers, advanced chemical peels and dermaplanning. And as I discussed before some do have paramedical or masters esthetician programs that you can obtain through their certification programs.

If you do have the opportunity to attend a paramedical or masters esthetician program, absolutely do it. It will only help grow your knowledge and further your career in medical aesthetics. Commit to continuing education once or twice a year. This will keep your skills sharp and it will keep you excited about the industry.  

3. Working Under Medical Supervision:

You will want to find employment under a doctor or medical director to further your knowledge and training in medical aesthetics. My best advice is to find a job in a plastic surgeons, dermatology office of medspa. This is going to allow you exposure to all of the different types of medical aesthetics treatments and they will also provide training on the different services and modalities. While you're learning you will have a doctor on staff to be able to ask questions and this will be invaluable to your career in this field. 

Practical Advice 

The title to me is not as important as focusing on building your skillset.

1. Make sure that you understand your state regulations and requirements

2. That you are working within your scope of practice

   
   

If you can’t seem to find immediate employment in the medical industry, don’t get discouraged. Look for work in a spa to gain hands-on experience and focus on growing your knowledge on skin health, research and study things you want to learn and even research the practices and medspas that you would love to work at. 

If you are interested in becoming an injector, research your state laws making sure that nurses can inject in your state and then apply for nursing school. Having both an esthetician license and nursing license gives you so many opportunities to grow in the medical aesthetics industry. 

My quote for you today: “Success seems to be connected with action. Successful people keep moving.” Conrad Hilton

No matter where you are at whether you’ve just started esthetics school or you’ve been in the industry for a while, keep moving forward towards your goals. Action will get you closer to where you want to be every single time. Don't give up!  

I hope you have an amazing rest of your week. Follow me on instagram for more weekly tips. Share with your favorite estheticians and I will see you back here at the same time, next week!

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