If you’ve been looking into a career as an esthetician but you’re most interested in the medical applications of the profession and have a particular drive and passion for helping people, you might have what it takes to become a paramedical esthetician. A paramedical esthetician, also known as a medical esthetician, has undergone training beyond the standard esthetician school requirements so that they can work in clinical settings and perform specialized treatments. Are you just learning about the job of the paramedical esthetician and how it differs from other esthetic roles? You may have some essential questions about whether the job would be right for you, such as: What is a paramedical esthetician by definition, and how does it differ from a non-medical esthetician? What’s a paramedical esthetician’s job description, and what are the day-to-day responsibilities associated with the role? How do you become a paramedical esthetician, and what credentials are required to practice? And how can I obtain the esthetics skills and training I need to work and thrive as a medical esthetician? Once you know all the answers to these essential questions, you can decide whether becoming a paramedical esthetician is the right career move for you.
What Is a Paramedical Esthetician? A paramedical esthetician is a professional who works with patients whose skin has been affected by illness or injury and who seek medical help for improving their skin’s appearance. Similar to the role of any esthetician, paramedical estheticians may apply makeup on patients or teach them how to perform makeup skincare techniques on themselves in order to conceal bruising, scars, or acne associated with illness, injury, or surgery. Additionally, medical estheticians might prep patients for facials or for other cosmetic or skincare treatments. Medical estheticians specialize in helping patients who are dealing with more serious skin concerns such as skin trauma such as burns, skin disorders, and recovery from plastic surgery. That contrasts with non-medical estheticians, who typically handle minor skin care problems such as sunspots and dry skin.
What’s a Paramedical Esthetician’s Job Description?
Unlike a non-medical esthetician, paramedical estheticians focus their skincare and beauty treatments on patients who need treatment before and after surgery. A paramedical esthetician works to help prepare the patient’s skin in order to minimize damage during surgery and heal more quickly after a surgery is complete. That might include conditioning skin so that patients suffer less pain during their post-surgical recovery. Additionally, paramedical estheticians can teach patients corrective methods to improve the appearance of bruised or reddened skin caused by surgery. They’re also equipped to handle more common esthetic procedures such as facials, hair removal, and spa treatments. By contrast, a non-paramedical licensed esthetician focuses on cosmetic skincare services that may include facials and advanced exfoliation treatments, laser hair removal, brow tints, extractions, nail care, waxing, and more.
How Do You Become a Paramedical Esthetician? As with many professions, the specific requirements vary by state, but generally, to become a paramedical esthetician in the United States, you need an esthetician certificate, diploma, or associate’s degree.
At Cortiva Institute, the objectives of our paramedical esthetician program include training students in esthetic theory and technique so that the state of Florida will recognize them as registered facial specialists; offer integrated training in both holistic and clinical skin care, and ensure students receive hands-on training in skills including advanced chemical peels, microdermabrasion, Ayurvedic treatments, and aromatherapy.
To that end, we offer classes in subjects including medical esthetics, advanced dermatology, product ingredient knowledge, cosmetic chemistry, body treatments, advanced makeup including camouflage and airbrush and makeup, and more. Aspiring paramedical estheticians in our program learn how to execute advanced body wraps, advanced chemical peels, and microdermabrasion, among other skills.
The overarching goal of our 600-hour training course is to prepare you with the skills you’ll need to thrive in a paramedical setting, including clear patient communication, the ability to follow doctor’s instructions, and assessing whether a patient is in pain or discomfort without receiving verbal cues. Those seeking a Florida facial specialist registration need 220 hours in an in-state facial specialty program, completion of the initial HIV/AIDS course for cosmetologists, and a high school diploma in order to successfully apply.
Where Can a Paramedical Esthetician Work and Thrive? Paramedical estheticians find work and thrive in plastic surgeons’ offices, hospitals, dermatologist offices, oncology offices, and other medical practices and settings. They have the option to work in salons or medical spas, but they thrive in the clinical settings, such as plastic surgeons’ offices, that require and value their specialized skill sets.
Once licensed, medical estheticians will likely find many options for places of employment. According to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, job growth in the field is robust, with a faster-than-average 11% growth rate.
Looking for Paramedical Esthetician Schools in Florida?
If you’re ready to hear more about the coursework Cortiva offers to prepare the next generation of paramedical estheticians, request more information. We offer programs in St. Petersburg, Pompano Beach, and Maitland, Florida, that can be completed in as little as six to nine months!