How To Become a Medical Aesthetician in 5 Steps

Medical aestheticians work with patients trying to repair their skin after trauma or medical treatments.

Those who want to become medical aestheticians need to complete a medical aesthetician training program and earn a license from their state.

Keep reading to learn more about medical aestheticians and discover the five steps to becoming a medical aesthetician.

What Is a Medical Aesthetician?

A medical aesthetician is a professional skin care expert who is trained to perform medical skin procedures to resolve issues that affect the top layers of skin.

Medical aestheticians often treat patients who have skin damage due to injury or medical procedures, such as burns, chemotherapy, and scars.

The job duties of a medical aesthetician may include:

• determining the safest and most effective treatment options
• examining their patients' skin
• maintaining patient records
• meeting with patients to determine what procedures are best
• monitoring patient improvement and modifying the treatment plan as needed
• performing medical skin care procedures
• recommending skin care products to assist in treatment

There are many different treatment options that medical aestheticians may use. Some specialize in certain treatments, while others are general medical aestheticians. Treatments may include:

• chemical peels
• facials
• laser treatments, like laser hair removal or laser tattoo removal
• light therapy
• microdermabrasion

Medical aestheticians typically work closely with dermatologists. They often work in healthcare facilities including:

• burn centers
• clinics
• dermatology clinics
• hospitals
• medical spas
• rehabilitation centers

Medical aestheticians often work more standard hours than other medical professionals, as they aren't usually an emergency service.

Aesthetician Versus Esthetician: What's the Difference?

Despite the similar names, aestheticians and estheticians have different jobs. Aestheticians are medical aestheticians, while estheticians are skin care experts who work on non-medical patients.

While medical aestheticians work in medical settings, estheticians often work in spas or salons. They typically offer less intensive procedures to help clients with things like oily skin or wrinkles.

Both aestheticians and estheticians work on patient skin, but the types of procedures offered, the settings they work in, and the patients and clients they work with are different.

To work as a medical aesthetician, you'll need specific training in medical aesthetics, as well as a license from your state. We've broken down the steps to becoming a medical aesthetician below.

Step 1: Prepare for Aesthetician School

Before you can go to school to become a medical aesthetician, you'll need to earn your high school diploma or the GED equivalent.

While not a requirement for aesthetician school, taking courses in biology and chemistry while in high school can help you as you proceed to your aesthetician training.

You'll also want to research the field more to determine if there's a specific area of medical aesthetics that you want to specialize in. This can also help you choose a school.

Step 2: Attend Aesthetician or Cosmology School

Medical aestheticians train through aesthetician schools or cosmology schools. These are post-secondary vocational schools.

There are many of these schools around the country, but not all offer programs for medical aestheticians.Choose a school that does offer a medical aesthetician program, and also one that's accredited.

You'll also want to make sure that the school that you choose meets your state's requirements for licensure.

Aesthetic schools typically include coursework and practice on topics like:

• laser technology
• safety and sanitation
• skin care
• skin science

Typically, these programs take six to 12 months for students who attend five days a week, but part-time options may also be available.

Step 3: Obtain a Medical Aesthetician License

In order to practice as a medical aesthetician, you'll need to obtain a medical aesthetician license from the state you plan to work in.

Each state has different requirements for licensure, but generally you'll need to have completed a medical aesthetician program approved by the state.

You'll also likely need to pass a licensure exam offered by the state. These are usually a combination of a written and practical examination.

Step 4: Consider a Medical Aesthetics Certification

While certification is not a necessity to obtain a job as a medical aesthetician, holding a certificate can help further your career.

A certificate proves that you know your field well. It can help you land a job, earn a promotion, or get a raise.

One of the top certifications is the National Esthetician Certification through the National Coalition of Esthetics Association.

While this certification isn't for medical aestheticians specifically, it can still help you as you pursue career opportunities.

To obtain this certification, you'll need to pass the certification exam, which can be taken at home.

Other certifications are also available for specialized procedures, such as laser skin care procedures.

Step 5: Pursue Advancement Opportunities

Once you've obtained your medical aesthetician license and certification, you can pursue opportunities for advancement.

Some states offer an advanced medical aesthetician license, which you can usually obtain after you've been working as a medical aesthetician for a certain period of time.

You can also complete continuing educational courses and additional certifications to help boost your career prospects.

Medical aestheticians also need to stay on top of the latest skin care trends and techniques, so it's important to participate in seminars and research throughout your career.

Become a Medical Aesthetician

Medical aestheticians use advanced skin care techniques to help patients with skin problems due to trauma, medical conditions, or medical treatments.

To become a medical aesthetician, you'll need to complete a medical aesthetician training program and obtain a license from your state.