Becoming an Esthetician

Making the decision to become an esthetician is a big step. It requires a lot of research to firmly commit to this new career path. In addition to the uncertainty of a new career move, specifically choosing to become an esthetician can be risky. The skin care industry is highly competitive.

In order to make an informed decision there is a list of things to consider:

• Salary. What is the average salary of an esthetician in your area? Find out at: Indeed.com or here: Payscale.com.
• Cost of becoming an esthetician.  This, of course will depend on what beauty school you choose.
• The life of an esthetician. The best way to really find out about the life of an esthetician is to talk to estheticians. Here is a great forum for spa talk: Spa Trade.

Another factor to consider is that the beauty industry itself is constantly under fire from the medical profession. To some extent, this is the fault of the sub-standard basic education so commonly offered in this field. In many cases, the requirements for esthetician differ from state to state therefore making it difficult to standardize the industry´s quality. The result of this divergent system often leads to lack of quality control within the field which can be blamed for sub-par treatment or, in some cases, injury. This is a major hurdle for the esthetician and beauty profession.

There does, however, seem to be a movement to establish a standard of training among state requirements. One such body is the National Coalition of Estheticians, Manufacturers /Distributors Association (NCEA). The NCEA is a “group of active skin care associations, companies & individuals, who have united to establish standards and best practices and provide political representation for our profession to state legislators and licensing boards.” The NCEA offers a lot of information for anyone who is considering training as an esthetician. You can find information on every aspect from training procedures to government legislation. This can also be a great resource to find information on state by state regulations for beauty schools. Finding a licensed beauty school that suits your needs and offers strong career counseling is essential in this highly competitive field.

Another excellent way to research your decision to become an esthetician is to become active in the business side of the industry. Look for upcoming tradeshows or conventions in your area. Approach these events as if you were going on a job interview. Dress appropriately and prepare lists of questions. The most important thing you can do is to talk to people who are familiar with the industry. You can also look for industry groups that meet up in your area.

The key to becoming informed in your decision to go to beauty school is to MAKE CONTACTS! This is how you will find out the real nitty gritty about the industry. But be careful because this industry is notoriously competitive and you will inevitably meet someone who might try to dissuade you from entering the field just to avoid the future competition. So before you take the plunge into the skin care field, do research, make contacts, and find the best school for you!