The beauty industry is a wide field with a variety of experts and specialists focused on different disciplines. Unfortunately, this can lead to quite a bit of jargon getting tossed around, which can make it confusing to know who does what. Though Esthetician and Aesthetician sound so similar and both are highly specialized in skincare, there are some key, but nuanced differences between what each discipline focuses on. As their specialties overlap so much, the terms are often used interchangeably, but there is a technical distinction between their respective roles as skincare experts.

At Inspire Greatness Aveda Institutes, we offer comprehensive training in nearly every facet of the beauty industry. At any of our campuses throughout Arizona, Colorado, and Utah, we can offer you a world-class education in Esthiology so you have the skills you need to survive in the beauty industry.

The Similarities between Estheticians and Aestheticians

Before diving into the differences between the two titles, it needs to be said that there are a lot of similarities between them. Both are professionals that are highly specialized in skincare professionals, but an aesthetician typically performs medical procedures, whereas an esthetician will perform cosmetic and maintenance procedures. While both may be highly trained and qualified skincare experts, the day-to-day responsibilities and training required for both will differ greatly.

What is an Esthetician?

An esthetician is a skincare expert that is also qualified to treat facial and body conditions to promote long-term health and beauty, but they often provide it in a salon setting rather than a clinical one. Their work tends to be focused on overall skin health, preventative maintenance, and facial rejuvenation.

Though they work in different settings, an esthetician often has the same training and skill set as a clinical aesthetician. Estheticians can frequently employ the most advanced techniques and master estheticians with advanced training have unparalleled knowledge of skincare.

What is an Aesthetician?

Aestheticians often work in a wide variety of roles based on their training and education in skincare– often specifically facial skincare. The field is usually divided further into medical, paramedical, or clinical aestheticians based on which area their practice is focused in. Many aestheticians’ work focuses on skin health through cleaning, moisturizing, and the proper application of beauty and care products, but their duties can also go beyond just cosmetic into medical procedures.

Aestheticians commonly work in clinical settings with medical patients on issues like scars from surgeries or serious burns and injuries as well. While some specialize in specific areas, aestheticians’ wide range of skills for skincare often finds them seeing a variety of patients, with both cosmetic and medical needs.

A Career in Skincare

The training required to become a licensed skincare expert is intensive, but not unobtainable with hard work. Esthetician training and certification requires a total of 600 hours of learning, and during that time you learn all the skills that you’ll need to be a valuable skincare expert and to navigate the world of Esthiology.

Here at the Inspire Greatness Aveda Institutes, we believe in a positive and engaging learning experience that gets you time out of the classroom, practicing the skills that you need. Our highly experienced educators at all four of our campuses throughout Colorado, Utah, and Arizona are dedicated to instilling the best tools for success in the next generation of world-class skincare specialists. If you think that a career as an esthetician may be right for you, contact us today to schedule a tour of a campus near you.