Nature of the Work

Skin care specialists, also called estheticians or aestheticians, are called upon to assist clients in the maintenance, improvement, and beautification of facial skin. Skin care specialists can be called upon to perform a wide variety of tasks, including analysis of a client’s skin care needs, recommending nonprescription treatment options, applying chemical peels, performing facials, and completing simple extractions to remove blackheads. Skin care specialists are part of a growing industry of beauty and personal care professionals.

They may be employed in a variety of industries and offices, and their jobs will vary accordingly. In physicians’ offices, they may be called upon to assist in preparing a patient’s skin for surgery or to perform chemical peels to reduce lines and age spots. In spas and salons, they may be asked to perform pore-cleansing facials and waxing of eyebrows and lips. If employed by a cosmetics wholesaler or store, they may offer advice on makeup techniques and appropriate products for the client’s skin type.

Skin care specialists can expect to be employed in salons, spas, and medical offices. They are required to work with chemical and herbal preparations, and they are frequently required to wear lab coats and gloves. The maintenance of a clean environment and the use of properly sterilized equipment is essential to ensuring the health of the client. It is essential that a skin care specialist possess steady hands and arms, as many of the procedures they perform require precision and confidence.

An excellent knowledge of the tools of the trade is required to ensure that each procedure is performed properly, as is a firm understanding of a variety of skin types and concerns in order to properly treat specific client concerns. In conjunction with this, it is essential that skin care specialists know how to recognize skin infections and ailments and to sterilize all equipment which may have come in contact with the client in order to minimize the risk of spreading the infection. Skin infections require specialized medical treatment, and the specialists should be confident in urging her client to see a physician present itself.

As skin care specialists frequently perform procedures which may produce some minimal discomfort, it is essential that they possess a strong understanding of people and an ability to read them for signs of nervousness and discomfort. Procedures such as facial and eyebrow waxing, extraction of blackheads, microdermabrasion, and chemical peels are naturally disconcerting, and it is the job of the skin care specialist to not only perform these procedures in an efficient and correct manner, but to also ease any concerns her client may feel.

If a client is uncomfortable or lacking confidence in the skin care specialist during a procedure, she is unlikely to return to that specialist for additional treatments. Because each client’s skin is different, skin care specialists will be called upon to provide product recommendations for a variety of skin types. This may include recommending lotions, tonics, and makeup. In a physicians’ office, it may also entail teaching clients how to conceal redness and bruising following a surgery and ensuring a comfortable healing process through specialized skin treatments. Skin care specialists are also called upon to perform tasks such as eyebrow tinting and facial massage.

It is imperative that the specialist has a firm understanding of facial structure and underlying musculature in order to effectively massage the face, and such procedures as eyebrow tinting require an understanding of how skin tones are flattered by specific hair shades. In particular, skin care specialists will need to be able to work successfully with a variety of ages. With the aging of the baby boomer population, older individuals will make up a large percentage of the skin care specialist’s clientele. It is essential that the specialist learn how to properly care for aging skin.

As more people learn about the dangers associated with UV damage, the skin care specialist should also be prepared to advise clients on how to protect their skin from UV damage and minimize the visible signs of damage that has already occurred. In addition to salons, spas, and medical offices, skin care specialists can be employed in a variety of industries, including as teachers, sales representatives, wedding consultants, and makeup artists in the entertainment and fashion industries.