Can’t help but notice radiant skin? Perhaps you see ways to improve the appearance of skin among passers-by? Consider getting a skin care degree and help others love the skin they’re in.
Since it is the largest organ of the body, skin care specialists, aestheticians and medical aestheticians provide services to help clients look their best (choosing makeup to enhance the facial features and skin tone of the client), feel comfortable in their own skin (interacting with patients dealing with skin irritations), and learn the importance of taking care of their skin long-term (creating custom skin care plans for clients). Clearly, the work of a skin care specialist goes beyond just the visual results that a facial or body treatment provides.
A skin care degree opens the doors to an exciting, rewarding career in aesthetics. If you are interested in pursuing a skin care degree, there are currently 1,000 aesthetics schools accredited by the National Accrediting Commission of Cosmetology Arts & Sciences; this Commission has the seal of approval from the U.S. Department of Education, so you know that the training and education you receive is of the highest caliber. A skin care degree from an accredited program will provide a solid foundation in offering quality skin care services to your future clients.
Want to get a skin care degree? First, you must be at least 18 years old, have a high school diploma (or equivalent), and be in the clear for communicable/contagious diseases. The work of skin care specialists means close contact with clients, therefore, you must also be willing and interested in developing relationships with people to meet their health needs and beauty goals.
The Basics of a Skin Care Degree
If you pursue a basic, 300-hour program at an aesthetic institute for your skin care degree, expect coursework in the following areas: eyebrow shaping, massage, makeup application, skin diseases and disorders, and anatomy & physiology, to name a few. For an advanced, cutting-edge skin care degree (recommended for those interested in a career as a medical aesthetician), courses in glycolic peels, microdermabrasion and laser hair removal are some of the educational forums available in a 600-hour program.
A skin care degree is made up of many parts; some of your training towards a skin care degree will be hands-on, while other aspects are more academic. As per the Bureau of Labor Statistics, some multi-tasking is also required of aestheticians: maintaining accurate and detailed client records and providing product recommendations (usually available for purchase in the salon) are part of the package.
It’s not just about picking the perfect palette or giving a relaxing head and neck massage. Having successfully completed a well-rounded educational program in the basics and specifics of skin care, your possession of a skin care degree will set you apart from others seeking skin care careers.
The median hourly wage for skincare specialists was $14.55 in May 2016. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $8.96, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $28.74. Employment of skincare specialists is projected to grow 14 percent from 2016 to 2026, faster than the average for all occupations.
In May 2016, the median hourly wages for skincare specialists in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:
| Offices of physicians | $17.96 |
| Personal care services | 14.22 |
| Health and personal care stores | 12.44 |
| Traveler accommodation | 12.04 |
