| Degree Required | Esthetician certificate or diploma |
| Key Responsibilities | Provide skin treatments to surgical patients; teach patients to apply makeup to conceal bruising or scars |
| Licensure | Requirements vary by state, esthetician or cosmetology license may be required |
| Job Growth (2020-2030) | 29% for all skincare specialists* |
| Median Salary (2021) | $40,695** |
Sources: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, **PayScale.com
What Are the Job Duties of a Paramedical Esthetician?
A paramedical esthetician offers skin care and beauty treatments to patients before and after surgery. You may work for a plastic surgeon or doctor in a private office, hospital or other medical setting. Your treatments help patients to heal quickly after surgery and minimize damage during surgery. You may also help to condition skin so that patients feel less pain after surgery. You may teach patients how to apply makeup or use other corrective methods to conceal bruising or redness that results from surgical procedures. You may offer general esthetician services such as facials, spa treatments and hair removal.
What Skills Do I Need?
You need to feel comfortable working with people and feel comfortable providing care for individuals after surgical procedures. You should have excellent communication skills and be able to explain clearly to patients what you are doing. Additionally, you need to be able to listen to directions from doctors and follow them in detail. You also need the ability to be able to tell if a patient is uncomfortable even if they are unable to communicate their distress.
What Requirements Must I Meet?
For the best job opportunities and to learn necessary skills, you need to complete an esthetician certificate or diploma program. Programs may offer courses covering cosmetic surgery skin care, facial treatments, dermatology, camouflage makeup techniques and esthetics procedures. Most programs include clinical or practical study, which may cover sanitation of equipment, facials, waxing and corrective makeup application.
The State Board of Cosmetology or similar agency usually handles each state's individual licensing requirements. Some states may have a license specifically for estheticians or they may require you to hold a cosmetology license. To become licensed, you may need to provide proof of education and training, fill out a form and pay a fee. States may also set education, age and examination requirements.
Some careers with similarities to the work of paramedical estheticians include those of barbers, pedicurists, manicurists and cosmetologists. All of these professions require a postsecondary certificate or postsecondary training and state licensure. They are also all involved in improving the appearance of their clients. Barbers trim hair, and may also shave clients. Pedicurists and manicurists clean, shape and may also paint a client's toenails and fingernails. Cosmetologists may perform treatments on a client's scalp or skin, and they may also prepare wigs and hairpieces.
