If you are a newcomer to the skin care industry or you’re considering entering it soon, you’re bound to come across the words ‘esthetics’ and ‘aesthetics.’ These two words have caused a lot of confusion and frustration for people who aren’t quite sure which direction to take and can’t find a definitive explanation of what they mean.
What’s the Difference?
As it turns out, the only real difference between esthetics and aesthetics is the ‘a’ at the beginning of the word. The word does have different meanings, but you can use either spelling once you’ve established what that meaning happens to be.
Aesthetics refers to a branch of philosophy that deals with appreciating beauty in art, nature and other areas. According to the Encyclopedia Britannica, you can drop the ‘a’ for this application, and it will mean the same thing.
In the medical sense, aesthetics or esthetics refers to a skin care specialist dealing with a wide range of skin care services. This is the meaning we use for the educational courses we offer.
An Exciting Profession
The field of esthetics is always expanding, and estheticians (aestheticians) are in more demand than ever before. The range of professions is quite diverse. For example, Estheticians have careers in the branch of cosmetology, where they can offer services related to skincare, like microdermabrasion. They can also offer spa treatment services, such as facials and masks, in addition to waxing and head and neck massages. Estheticians may also end up as makeup artists dealing with the cosmetic aspect of esthetics, or they may end up going more in-depth by focusing on the medical aspect of esthetics.
In short, there are many different types of estheticians. Some people will choose to become an expert in one area, while others will take a general approach, enabling them to offer various services to their clients.
Some estheticians also choose to build their personal brand and have their own businesses, while others work in salons, clinics or spas. Regardless of the particular work environment, estheticians will find themselves continually learning new things and beauty treatments as the world of skincare routinely changes and new breakthroughs are made.
Is A Career in Esthetics Right For You?
Are you trying to decide if an esthetic career is right for you? If so, consider the following:
- Do you have an interest in skincare and makeup?
- Do you prefer a more hands-on type of career?
- Do you enjoy working with people and making them feel better about themselves?
- Do you enjoy using new skincare products and other cosmetics?
- Would you prefer a career that allows for future advancement?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, a career in esthetics might be a good fit for you.
Two Separate Courses
The first aesthetics course offered at Cestar College deals with the cosmetic element only and takes 36 hours to complete. Students learn various treatment protocols at our aesthetic school in Toronto and, upon successfully completing the course, will be certified to work at salons and perform services like spider vein removal, microdermabrasion and acne treatments.
The other course, while in the same industry, is much more thorough and includes several medical elements. This medical aesthetics course is 1,040 hours long and includes 500 hours in the lab. Our medical aesthetics course in Toronto also offers the opportunity for students to job shadow, which means they get to see the types of things they will be doing daily as an aesthetician.
Job shadowing might take place at a salon or spa and ultimately provides a very practical understanding and insight into the career. Some of the extra areas that are covered by this course include human anatomy and physiology, bacteriology, skin diseases and disorders, nutrition, hair removal and business management. You will also learn about facials, electrical tools, manicures, pedicures and makeup artistry. Upon completion of the course, students will be awarded a Medical Aesthetics Diploma.
Whichever course you ultimately choose, if esthetics is a field that interests you, this is the perfect place to learn! We have the experience and track record to send you out into the industry fully prepared, whether you want to call it esthetics or aesthetics!
Career Outcomes and Salary
An average entry salary for estheticians is generally around $15.16 per hour. Over time, this will increase to $19.13. Eventually, estheticians can make up to $40,000 a year.
A medical esthetician can make as much as $22 per hour or $50,000 per year. Those who choose to open up their own business have the potential to make even more.
A career in esthetics involves a lot of additional perks from the industry, including accruing a lot of skincare and cosmetic products. You will also build up your clientele as you develop relationships, which will be valuable if you eventually decide to open up your own business.
