By: Joan Tupponce, Joan Tupponce & Associates, Inc.

Whether you know it or not, your skin is your largest organ. That's why skincare is so important. Estheticians provide services that help people improve their skin conditions.

"All estheticians are trained in facial treatments, consultation, skin analysis, skin types, skin conditions, makeup, hair removal, body and back treatments and masks," explains Margaret LaPierre, licensed master esthetician of Skin Therapy of Virginia. "They are also trained in the equipment used for facial treatments as well as spa management, booking appointments and the sale of retail products."

Estheticians who work in the clinical arena (medi-spa or with dermatologists or plastic surgeons) are further trained in the different types of chemical exfoliation procedures, anatomy and physiology, microdermabrasion, lymphatic drainage massage, microcurrent and other advanced skin care equipment.

Estheticians can work in a spa, medi-spa, plastic surgery or dermatology office, resort hotels or aboard a cruise ship. They can become a sales representative for a skincare product line, spa industry consultant, spa manager or they can work in the film industry, open a solo skin care clinic or become an esthetics instructor. They can also write articles for trade journals. All estheticians in Virginia must be licensed beginning July 1 whether they are a basic or master esthetician.

"Estheticians can further their education in order to become more proficient in chemical exfoliation, microdermabrasion and advance procedures," LaPierre says. "They usually work in a medi-spa or with a dermatologist or plastic surgeon."

Virginia and Utah are the only two states currently that have two-tier esthetics licensure. Esthetics schools come under the Board of Cosmetology and regulatory hours of training vary from state to state.

"Required hours can range from 300 in Delaware, Massachusetts or Pennsylvania, for example, to 1,200 in Utah and Virginia," LaPierre says. "To receive your license, you must pass a written and practical examination."

Training can be offered in specialty schools or in community colleges that offer esthetics programs.

LaPierre believes that anyone entering the field should have good communication skills, be a keen observer and good at analyzing and solving problems.

"You need to be able to ask the right questions that will help you choose the right product and for the right treatment," she explains. "The client may be taking a medication or have a medical condition that will prohibit you from doing certain treatments. For example, if someone has diabetes, an esthetician should not be performing a waxing treatment on them."

Estheticians should also enjoy working with people.

"That's one of the top criteria," LaPierre says. "You have to be a people person. You also have to be good at critical thinking and you have to be a very caring person."

Staying on top of new products and technologies can be challenging.

"You have to continue to take classes and improve yourself," LaPierre says. "You have to stay up-to-date on new technologies and products."

The work is rewarding, she adds.

"There is nothing more gratifying than having a client come in that has had skin problems and you are able to help them."

Pull Quote: "You need to be able to ask the right questions that will help you choose the right product and for the right treatment."