Do you know the skin is the largest organ in the body? Well, an Esthetician does. And he or she knows the technical know-how involved in the organ.
Contrary to what you may have thought since you knew how to read and write up till thirty seconds ago, estheticians aren’t make-up artists or those amateur organic skin care online vendors we have all over the internet. We know you thought they were makeup artists, and it’s no, it’s not bad to think that way. The good news is that you can unlearn and relearn.
Estheticians are ‘professionally-trained’ workers who offer a variety of beauty services to improve your appearance. This includes facial massage, hair removal, treatment of skin disorders, permanent makeup – basically anything that includes improving the quality of the skin.
There are Estheticians and then there are Aestheticians. Although they may be used interchangeably, Aestheticians offer specialist services, while Estheticians focus more on cosmetic remedies.
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Factors You Must Consider Before Enrolling on an Esthetician Programme
1. Age
The least age allowed to take an Esthetics training program is 16. Because you can’t pop up saying you want to study esthetics with some primary (middle) school diploma, you need proof that you’re intellectually capable of handling what you’re signing up for. That proof is your secondary (high) school diploma, WAEC, or GCE; the equivalents of a GED.
2. Check your State’s Requirements
It is advisable you check the requirements of the state you plan to hold your license, to avoid unnecessary frustration. Imagine applying for a Californian school and you discover that they require 600 hours of learning while your friend in Florida is done because Floridian schools require just 250 hours and no apprenticeship. You, on the other hand, have to go for 3200 hours of apprenticeship. It’ll be inconvenient if you plan on being a part-time student. (These are accurate time requirements).
3. Find an Accredited School
This is extremely important. Try to imagine the pain of spending hours reading and practising, taking tests, exams, tuition fees, and other financial commitments — including your data, and 2 minutes to graduation you find out the school is not accredited. Heads may roll, and it can’t be ours. To avoid stories that touch the kidney, it is imperative you do this.
The certification program can take up to 6 months. However, it can take up to 2 years or more to earn an associate’s degree in esthetics. Regardless, you may be able to complete your apprenticeship at the same time as your school studies, or after graduation.
4. Select a Field
You may want to be a standard esthetician, or a professional esthetician, working in a clinic. We recommend that you choose a school of esthetics that offers a program in line with your area of interest/expertise. The courses in the various school of esthetics differ. Cosmetology, Hair removal and waxing, human physiology, safety and sterilization, etc.
5. Take the Exam
This is the final step. You have to prove that you are worthy of the license you’re about to be issued. After completing the required esthetician training and learning time in the state, take the exams.
The exam is both written and practical. You will need to show your skills directly to the proctor. Medical estheticians however must take and pass a special paramedic examination.
6. Search for Employment
On meeting every requirement to become an Esthetician, you can start applying for a job, as you most likely didn’t go through all that process just to use the certificate and license to cool yourself.
When approaching future employers with a polished resumé, do well to focus on the technical and professional training you received.
It is very okay to start your own business as some do. We however recommend that you gain enough experience and gain satisfied clients. The importance of this cannot be overemphasized, except if you want to open a business for your family and village people alone. We also recommend additional business management. This will help you take your business steps ahead.
7. Keep Learning
To refresh their memory of things they already know, and to prevent being archaic, Estheticians in some states are required to take continuing education courses to keep up with the latest technology and techniques.
Hence, it is important to follow all state guidelines to avoid losing your license which may prevent you from continuing to work until you get your license back. Certain electronic gadgets are a must-have to succeed in the online School of esthetics.
List Of Accredited Online Esthetician Courses
The online courses offered at the School of Esthetics are different. While some are focused on beauty, others are focused on skincare. Therefore, it is highly important for anyone who wants to become an esthetician to decide what they want to focus on. Here are some of the courses offered by Esthetician schools online.
- Beauty Therapy & Makeup
- Human Anatomy
- Physiology
- Colour Theory
- Cosmetic Chemistry
- A Foundation in Skincare
- Hair Removal
How Long is an Online Esthetician Programme?
Well, for full-time students, the school of esthetics can last 4 to 6 months. For part-time, it can take 9 to 12 months. Before you apply for an online school and a program too, it is wise you consider the time you have to focus on it because it’s a lot of commitment.
Some states require up to 750 hours of training, but on average you can expect to spend about 600 hours on an esthetician school online course in 6 months. If you lack the passion for this discipline, it will be difficult to get through the 600 – 750 hours for the next 6 months. You can look up specific training time requirements based on state board licensing requirements.
How much do Esthetician Schools Cost?
Basic Esthetician Training Cost
The cost of the school of esthetics varies widely. Medical esthetician training programs are more expensive than basic esthetician training.
Tuition fees at public colleges are more affordable than at private schools. Tuition fees range from $3000 for a 6-month training course to $ 20,000 for a master esthetician training.
Master esthetician training can often cost twice as much as basic esthetician training but chances are that there are financial aids for esthetician schools.
Medical Esthetician School Cost
Medical esthetician school costs vary according to program but typically cost between $4,000 and $10,000. In some cases, as mentioned above, you can choose a course that can be specialized in a particular area. However, if you need more training in a particular area like micro-needling, microdermabrasion, or chemical peels, the cost depends on the program and who is offering it.
Top 20 Online Schools of Esthetics
Of all the schools of esthetics, we’ve selected the top 20 schools, and each offers a comprehensive program that covers a wide range of topics so that graduates are prepared for their licensure exams. These schools offer esthetician certification course or license online and in-school.
Penn Foster High School
West Tennessee Business College
West Georgia Technical College
Victory’s Academy of Cosmetology
Westside Tech
W Academy of Salon and Spa
Aveda Institute
Empire Beauty Schools
Catherine Hinds Institute of Esthetics
Ogle School
Mirage Spa Education
University of Spa and Cosmetology Arts
Wiregrass Georgia Technical College
Universal Career School
Paul Mitchell Schools
University of Spa
Marinello School of Beauty
Victory’s Academy
Xenon Academy
Hollywood Institute of Beauty Careers
1. West Tennessee Business College
Founding year: 1888.
2. W Academy of Salon and Spa
Location : 520 San Ramon Valley Blvd, Danville, California, United States.
3. West Georgia Technical College
Location: Waco, Georgia. Founding year: 1966.
4. Westside Tech
Location: Winter Garden, Founding year: 1933.
5. Universal Career School
Location : United States.
Founding year: 1999.
Offers extra courses like Nursing and Home Health Aide, Nail Technology, AS.Patient Care Technician.
6. Paul Mitchell Schools
Location : US.
7. Wiregrass Georgia Technical College
Location: Valdosta, Georgia.
Founding year: 2010.
Highest degree offered: Associate degree.
8. Penn Foster High school
Penn Foster High school is yet another esthetician school online that offers numerous online esthetician classes.
9. Victory Academy of Cosmetology
This school offers courses like cosmetology, barbering, esthetics, massage, and as coaches for the workforce of today.
10. Empire Beauty School
Location : United States
Founding year: 1946.
11. University of Spa and Cosmetology Arts
Location : 2913 W White Oaks Dr, Springfield, IL, United States.
Founding year: 1978.
12. Mirage Spa Education
Location : British Columbia.
Founding year: 2005.
13. Aveda Institute
Location : Miami.
14. Catherine Hinds Institute of Esthetics
Location : 300 Wildwood Ave, Woburn, MA, United States.
Founding year: 1979.
15. The Ogle School
Location : 17174 Preston Rd, Dallas, TX, United States.
Founding year: 1973
16. Xenon Academy
Xenon Academy is devoted to helping students to attain their career goals. The academy provides the perfect harmony between education and experience. Also, the academy offers the opportunities to receive professional acquaintance.
17. Marinello Schools of Beauty
This is a privately owned school, where students come under the tutelage of world class beauticians. If you’ve got enough money, go for it.
18. Hollywood Institute of Beauty Careers
Founding year: 1974
19. Paul Mitchell School
Location : United States.
Founding year: 1980.
How do I get my License?
This applies to online and in-line schools too.
1. Complete esthetician training classes or complete an apprenticeship (allowed in some states).
2. Tender evidence of training/apprenticeship hours to your state board.
3. Sit for and pass all required exams.
4. Pay a license fee.
Summary
With the rise in the knowledge curve on the graph of life, the beauty industry seems to follow the path of that of knowledge too. Don’t limit your mind to thinking it’s all about the saturated market of makeup artistry and organic skin care products. With so many diverse career opportunities in the fields of beauty and aesthetics, you can niche down and find the esthetician in you!
For beauticians, it’s a very emotionally rewarding profession. You making people feel good makes you feel good too. One of the pros of this career is you can have a very flexible schedule.
Find a problem you know you were born to solve, and embark on an exciting and rewarding professional journey.
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