Why should I see an esthetician?
Esthetics is the application of various treatments to the skin to maintain health and vitality. Estheticians are trained in skin wellness, helping clients balance oil and moisture content and achieve a healthy, youthful complexion. In addition to various facial treatments (described in more detail below), they commonly also perform body treatments such as salt or sugar scrubs, moisturizing or slenderizing body wraps, hair removal techniques such as waxing or threading, and hand/foot treatments to rejuvenate the skin.

A variety of treatments and products are used to protect skin from environmental hazards and combat fine lines, wrinkles, and dull, uneven skin tone. Estheticians are also skilled in managing conditions such as acne, rosacea, eczema, and dry skin, to name just a few. Finally, skin care treatments are wonderfully relaxing and rejuvenating. If smooth, healthy skin is your goal, visiting a skin care professional can benefit you.

What’s the difference between dermatology, cosmetology, and esthetics?
Dermatology is a medical profession practiced by licensed physicians specializing in skin disorders. Esthetic practice excludes diagnosis, prescription, or any other service, procedure, or therapy requiring a medical license. If a dermatologist treats you, your esthetician can provide complementary and support therapies. In addition, estheticians are trained to recognize early signs of many medical conditions affecting the skin and will refer you to a dermatologist in such a case.

Cosmetology studies beauty treatments, including nail care, hair care and styling, makeup application, skincare, and more. Esthetics is one branch of cosmetology; some estheticians work in other branches in addition to their skin care practice.

Techniques and products
Estheticians use techniques such as facial steaming, wrapping, exfoliation, waxing, pore cleansing, extraction, and chemical peels. They also use creams, lotions, wraps, clay or gel masks, and salt scrubs. Machines may also be used to help deliver high-tech services.

Some common therapies:

• Chemical peel: An exfoliation process, very effective in treating many skin concerns such as aging, sun damage, acne, and mild scarring, improving overall skin brightness and evening skin tone. Peels can be light, moderate, or deep. Light peels require no downtime from work or normal activities. Moderate peels may require a day or two of downtime, and deep peels can require a week or more to allow the skin to heal fully. Estheticians not working in a medical setting only perform light to moderate peels. Deep peels are performed by a physician or under a physician’s supervision for your safety.
• Exfoliation is the removal of dead skin cells manually (scrubbing, brushing, or 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 the pores, either manually (using gloved hands and cotton or tissue around the fingers, with gentle pressure to remove the impacted pore) or using a metal extraction implement designed to clear blocked pores. It can also include the use of a lancet (a small sharp blade to lift the dead cells of the skin prior to extraction).
• Facial: Facials are the most popular treatment performed by estheticians. They allow your therapist to get a good 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. For most people, facials can be scheduled every four weeks, although your therapist may recommend a different schedule based on your individual needs.
• Microdermabrasion: The process of resurfacing the skin using a machine that sands the skin’s epidermal (outer) layer, using either a wand tipped with crushed diamonds or a spray of unique crystals, which are then suctioned back up along with the dead skin cells. It can be very helpful in improving skin texture, fine lines, and the effectiveness of home care product penetration.
• Waxing: Waxing removes unwanted hair at the root. There are two different types of waxes: hard and soft. Soft wax is applied warm to the skin in a thin layer in the direction of hair growth. Cloth strips are then applied to the warm wax, rubbed toward hair growth, and quickly pulled off in the opposite direction. This method is best used on larger body areas such as the legs, back, or chest. Hard wax is used without cloth strips. It is applied warmly 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 less irritating to sensitive skin and is excellent for the bikini, underarms, and facial areas.

Visiting an esthetician
It is always a good idea to schedule a consultation before your first treatment, 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. During a consultation, your therapist will review an extensive intake form and, most likely, cleanse 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 professional treatments and recommendations for products you can use at home.

What about home care?
Much of the success of maintaining a visible improvement after treatment depends on consistent, correct home care. Your esthetician is trained to select the products that will most benefit your skin and advise you on maintaining your professional results between visits. Like medical or dental care, following the proper daily regimen at home is essential to maximize your visits to a professional.

Your esthetician
Your skin care treatments should be provided by a properly trained professional. Don’t hesitate to ask your skin care therapist about her background, training, and experience, especially concerning the treatment you are considering. Your therapist is a professional member of Associated Skin Care Professionals. Our members have been validated as meeting their state’s licensing credentials and/or core training requirements and agree to follow a code of ethics that ensures you’ll be treated responsibly and with the utmost respect. ASCP also provides its members with comprehensive resources that allow them to keep up with changing trends, making certain you’ll receive the most up-to-date therapies available.