The role of an aesthetic practitioner is ideal for those who want to work in the beauty industry, as the industry is growing rapidly. More and more people are looking into skin care and aesthetics. A survey by the cosmetic treatment website, RealSelf has found that 40% of UK adults are considering undergoing cosmetic treatment in some form over the next 12 months. As more consumers are booking treatments, the demand for aesthetic practitioners is going to increase very fast.

What is an Aesthetics Practitioner?

An aesthetic practitioner is a specialist who provides treatment to the skin. They focus on how the skin reacts to different types of treatments targeting the superficial layers of skin. Their role specifically focuses on skin health, understanding how the skin functions, and the options and treatments that are available to help clients improve and optimise their skin. They may not be able to tell you what condition you have or how to treat it, but they can perform the procedures that work with a dermatologist’s treatment plan.

Aesthetic practitioners cannot administer Botox, facial fillers or provide procedures such as chemical peels. This should be performed by a dermatologist or another licensed medical professional. Furthermore, they cannot diagnose skin conditions because they aren’t a medical professional or health care worker.  They often work at spas, salons or with a dermatologist. But they can also work in medical practices to providing skincare treatments that line up with the doctor’s recommendations.

What does an Aesthetics Practitioner do?

• Assist clients with healthy skin maintenance.
• Focuses on how the skin reacts to certain types of treatments targeting the superficial layers of skin and recommend products.
• Recommends independent skincare regimens.
• They can work with medical experts to help treat skin conditions.
• Provides relaxation for their clients.
• Helps improve the quality and appearance of their client’s skin.

Types of Treatments Aestheticians Offer:

Facials:

Facials are a beauty treatment for your face, that use a variety of products, massage techniques and equipment to give you healthier, cleaner, and radiant skin. Facials not only leave your skin looking good, but they also leave you feeling relaxed and refreshed. The aims of most facials are to:

• Clean and smooth your skin
• Balance and moisturise your skin
• Target specific skin conditions

Acne treatments:

Usually dermatologists treat people with moderate-to-severe cases of acne, but an aesthetician can assist in the plan of care provided by a medical professional. They are also able to give you tips and tricks on how to keep your skin healthy and prevent breakouts.

Extractions:

Facial extractions are the process of clearing clogged pores, though mechanical means or manually. Clogged pores with excess sebum and dead skin cells can cause blackheads, pustules, and pimples. These can all be removed through extractions.

Superficial chemical peels:

Light (superficial) chemical peels removes the outer layer of skin (epidermis). They are used to treat fine wrinkles, acne, uneven skin tone and dryness. Superficial chemical peels can help the skin gain a healthy glow using alpha-hydroxy acids, such as lactic, glycolic or salicylic acid, which exfoliates the skin.

Airbrush tanning:

Sunless spray tanning (UV free tanning) is the spray/mist application to the body to produce an effect similar in appearance to a suntan. These have become increasingly popular in recent years due to the growing awareness of the dangers of sun beds.

Makeup application:

Some aesthetic practitioners offer makeup application as an additional service for special occasions, such as weddings. Of course, aesthetic practitioners should not offer this service unless makeup application is a skill they have.

Microdermabrasion:

Microdermabrasion utilises a diamond-tipped wand or microcrystals that are gently passed over the skin. This treatment will help remove dead skin cells while giving you smoother skin. Microdermabrasion can also help enlarged pores and minor cases of hyperpigmentation.

Body wraps, scrubs, and masks:

Aesthetic practitioners offer a variety of treatments for the whole body. The aim of the treatments is to not only leave you with better looking and feeling skin, but to also leave you relaxed. Seaweed body wraps and masks made of clay can make your skin become softer and brighter. There are also sugar scrubs and salt glows that can exfoliate the skin.

Hair removal:

Aesthetic practitioners have many different methods for removing unwanted hair, such as waxing, laser hair removal, threading, and tweezing.

To sum up, aesthetic practitioners can perform a variety of treatments that focus on the skin and how the skin reacts to different treatments. Even though they are unable to diagnose skin conditions, they can perform the procedures that work with a dermatologist’s treatment plan. As more and more consumers are booking this type of treatment, the need for aesthetic practitioners rises. Therefore, if you are looking to for a career change, aesthetics may be the right change for you.

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