Saturday, March 8, 2014

Help Clients find their inner beauty as a Cosmetologist / Esthetician



The art of beauty stretches back for thousands of years. The urge to look our best is innate in humans, and stems from our genetic imperative to attract a mate and reproduce. The use of makeup for both men and women can be dated back to Egypt in the fourth millennium, meaning people were practicing the science and art of beauty six thousand years ago. Various types of cosmetics and perfumes were common throughout the Roman era, but largely disappeared during the Dark Ages. The crusaders began to bring cosmetics back to Europe in the 10th and 11th centuries, and makeup was common among the upper class again by the 1300s.

An esthetician is a cosmetologist who specializes in the care and beautification of the skin. Estheticians are also sometimes known as skin care specialists. Medical estheticians work in doctor's offices and hospitals. Most cosmetology operator training programs include sections on skin care and skin treatments as well as nail care and hair care and styling. Those who want to become estheticians typically take additional classes on skin care and aesthetics, including anatomy of the skin and treatment of skin conditions. Cosmetology programs are typically offered at vocational/technical schools and community colleges, and many offer online options.

Cosmetology training programs range from 9 to 18 months, and graduates usually receive a certificate. Most training programs begin with several weeks of classroom studies. Cosmetology training typically includes practical training in a live salon where students learn techniques working with mannequins, and after sufficient practice, move to on to live clients.

Cosmetologist/Esthetician Licensing

All of the 32,000 estheticians employed in the U.S. in 2012 were licensed to practice in their state. Most states require estheticians to hold a cosmetologist or cosmetology operator license. Requirements for a license typically include graduation from an accredited cosmetology training program, being at least 17 years old and passing a written and practical exam. Some states require cosmetologists to have a high school diploma or GED.

Salaries and Career Advancement

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, skin care specialists earned an average salary of $31,720, or $15.25 per hour, in 2012. Estheticians/skin care specialists employed in outpatient care centers took home the most, with an average salary of $42,860 in 2012. Those employed in the traveler accommodations industry were around average with an average salary of $31,580, and those in the other personal services sector came in at the bottom of the wage range, with an average salary of $28,820.

The BLS is also projecting a solid 16 percent job growth for cosmetologists from 2010 to 2020, and this will result in 4500 new esthetician positions being created over the next few years. Estheticians work in a wide variety of establishments, including resorts cruise ships, doctor's offices, hospitals, spas and beauty salons. Some estheticians decide to put out their own shingle and open up a spa or salon after they get a few years of experience.

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