Benefits
Why should I see an esthetician or skin care specialist?
Esthetics is the application of various treatments to the skin to maintain its health and vitality. Estheticians are trained in skin wellness, helping their clients balance oil, improve moisture content and achieve a healthy, youthful complexion. Various facial treatments are commonly performed, as well as body treatments such as salt or sugar scrubs, moisturizing or slenderizing body wraps, hair removal techniques such as waxing or threading, or hand and foot treatments to rejuvenate the skin.
There are a variety of treatments and products used to protect the skin from environmental hazards that combat fine lines, wrinkles, and a dull, uneven skin tone. Estheticians also manage conditions such as acne, rosacea, eczema, and dry skin, just to name a few. Skin care treatments are wonderfully relaxing and rejuvenating, so if smooth, healthy skin is your goal, make sure to visit a skin care specialist.
The differences between dermatology, cosmetology, and esthetics
A medical practice performed by licensed physicians or dermatologists, who specialize in disorders of the skin is called Dermatology. Esthetic practices specifically exclude diagnosis, prescription, or any other services, procedures, or therapy that requires a medical license. While you are being treated by a dermatologist, your esthetician can also provide complementary and supportive therapies. Estheticians are also trained to recognize early signs of many medical conditions affecting the skin, and they will refer you to a dermatologist if that is the case.
Cosmetology is the study or application of beauty treatments that include hair styling, skin care, nail care, cosmetics, manicures or pedicures and more. Esthetics is one branch of cosmetology; some estheticians work in other branches of cosmetology in addition to their esthetic skin care practice.
Esthetician Techniques and products
Esthetician techniques include facial steaming, wrapping, exfoliation, waxing, pore cleansing, extraction, and chemical peels. The esthetician products that can be used are creams, lotions, wraps, clay or gel masks, and salt scrubs are used. Esthetician machines may also be used to help deliver high-tech services.
Some common therapies:
Visiting an esthetician
Scheduling a consultation esthetician appointment prior to your first treatment is always a good idea, especially if you are new to esthetic treatments. This gives you and your therapist a chance to discuss your goals and expectations for the first visit, and long term goals for the future before any treatments occur. During a consultation, your therapist will go over an extensive intake form, and most likely do a cleansing of the skin followed by a detailed skin analysis. This will give your therapist the information she/he needs to create an individualized treatment plan for a series of professional treatments and recommendations for products you can take home and apply yourself.
What about home care?
To maintain a visible improvement after treatment will depend on consistent, correct home care. Your esthetician is trained to select the products that will most benefit your skin, and to advise you on how to maintain your professional results between visits. Like medical or dental care, it is important to follow the right daily regimen at home if you want to get the most out of your visits with a professional.
Your esthetician
Your skin care treatments should always be provided by a properly trained professional. Don’t hesitate to ask your skin care therapist about his or her background, training, and experience. This is especially true as it relates to the treatment you are considering. Your therapist is a licensed member of Associated Skin Care Professionals. Our members have been validated and met their state’s licensing credentials, core training requirements, and agree to follow a code of ethics which ensures you’ll be treated responsibly and with the utmost respect. ASCP also provides its members with comprehensive resources to keep them up to date with changing trends, making certain you receive the most up-to-date esthetic therapies available.
Esthetics is the application of various treatments to the skin to maintain its health and vitality. Estheticians are trained in skin wellness, helping their clients balance oil, improve moisture content and achieve a healthy, youthful complexion. Various facial treatments are commonly performed, as well as body treatments such as salt or sugar scrubs, moisturizing or slenderizing body wraps, hair removal techniques such as waxing or threading, or hand and foot treatments to rejuvenate the skin.
There are a variety of treatments and products used to protect the skin from environmental hazards that combat fine lines, wrinkles, and a dull, uneven skin tone. Estheticians also manage conditions such as acne, rosacea, eczema, and dry skin, just to name a few. Skin care treatments are wonderfully relaxing and rejuvenating, so if smooth, healthy skin is your goal, make sure to visit a skin care specialist.
The differences between dermatology, cosmetology, and esthetics
A medical practice performed by licensed physicians or dermatologists, who specialize in disorders of the skin is called Dermatology. Esthetic practices specifically exclude diagnosis, prescription, or any other services, procedures, or therapy that requires a medical license. While you are being treated by a dermatologist, your esthetician can also provide complementary and supportive therapies. Estheticians are also trained to recognize early signs of many medical conditions affecting the skin, and they will refer you to a dermatologist if that is the case.
Cosmetology is the study or application of beauty treatments that include hair styling, skin care, nail care, cosmetics, manicures or pedicures and more. Esthetics is one branch of cosmetology; some estheticians work in other branches of cosmetology in addition to their esthetic skin care practice.
Esthetician Techniques and products
Esthetician techniques include facial steaming, wrapping, exfoliation, waxing, pore cleansing, extraction, and chemical peels. The esthetician products that can be used are creams, lotions, wraps, clay or gel masks, and salt scrubs are used. Esthetician machines may also be used to help deliver high-tech services.
Some common therapies:
- Chemical peel: An exfoliation process very effective in treating a large range of skin concerns such as aging, sun damage, acne, mild scarring, improving overall skin brightness and evening skin tone. Peels can be light, moderate or deep. Light peels do not require any down time from work or normal activities. Moderate peels may require a day or two of down time, and deep peels can require a week or more to allow the skin to fully heal. Estheticians who are not working in a medical setting perform light to moderate peels only. Deep peels should only be performed by a physician, or under a physician’s supervision, strictly for your safety.
- Exfoliation is the removal of dead skin cells by manually scrubbing, brushing, using a system such as microdermabrasion, with a chemical peel (a product that causes dead skin cells to shed) or with an enzymatic product that digests dead skin cells.
- Extraction is the process of deep cleansing pores. This is done manually using gloved hands and cotton or tissue around the fingers with gentle pressure to remove the impacted pore or it is done using a metal extraction implement designed to clear blocked pores. This can also include the use of a lancet (a small sharp blade to lift the dead cells of the skin prior to extraction).
- Facial: A facial is the most popular treatment performed by estheticians today. It is a good way for your therapist to get a better understanding of your skin prior to suggesting more aggressive treatments. A facial generally includes makeup removal and skin cleansing; exfoliation by mechanical, enzymatic or chemical means; steaming; extractions; facial massage; a treatment mask; serum/moisturizer and sunblock. Facials can be scheduled every four weeks for most people, although your therapist may recommend a different schedule based on your individual needs.
- Microdermabrasion is the process of resurfacing the skin using a machine that sands the skin’s epidermal or outer layer, using either a wand tipped with crushed diamonds, or a spray of special crystals which are then suctioned back up along with the dead skin cells. This can be very helpful in improving your skins texture, fine lines and wrinkles.
- Waxing removes unwanted hair at the root. There are two different types of waxes used, soft and hard wax. Soft wax is applied warm to the skin in a thin layer in the direction of hair growth. Cloth strips are applied to the warm wax, rubbing in the direction of hair growth, and then quickly pulling off in the opposite direction. This method is best used on larger areas of the body such as the legs, back or chest. Hard wax is used without cloth strips. It is applied warm, in a layer about the thickness of a nickel, allowed to dry and then removed quickly in the opposite direction of hair growth. Hard wax is much less irritating to sensitive skin and is excellent for the bikini, underarm and facial areas.
Visiting an esthetician
Scheduling a consultation esthetician appointment prior to your first treatment is always a good idea, especially if you are new to esthetic treatments. This gives you and your therapist a chance to discuss your goals and expectations for the first visit, and long term goals for the future before any treatments occur. During a consultation, your therapist will go over an extensive intake form, and most likely do a cleansing of the skin followed by a detailed skin analysis. This will give your therapist the information she/he needs to create an individualized treatment plan for a series of professional treatments and recommendations for products you can take home and apply yourself.
What about home care?
To maintain a visible improvement after treatment will depend on consistent, correct home care. Your esthetician is trained to select the products that will most benefit your skin, and to advise you on how to maintain your professional results between visits. Like medical or dental care, it is important to follow the right daily regimen at home if you want to get the most out of your visits with a professional.
Your esthetician
Your skin care treatments should always be provided by a properly trained professional. Don’t hesitate to ask your skin care therapist about his or her background, training, and experience. This is especially true as it relates to the treatment you are considering. Your therapist is a licensed member of Associated Skin Care Professionals. Our members have been validated and met their state’s licensing credentials, core training requirements, and agree to follow a code of ethics which ensures you’ll be treated responsibly and with the utmost respect. ASCP also provides its members with comprehensive resources to keep them up to date with changing trends, making certain you receive the most up-to-date esthetic therapies available.
