What to Know When Getting a Medical Aesthetics Certification

Medical aesthetics is a billion-dollar industry. It is one of the 21st-century's most up-and-coming careers. In the US alone, the American Society of Plastic Surgeon (ASPS) has reported that almost $16 billion have been spent in minimally-invasive treatments. Because many of these procedures are quite simple, those who get medical aesthetics certification are qualified to apply these procedures themselves with very minimal supervision.

What do medical aestheticians do?

Medical aestheticians are certified skincare specialists who work under the supervision of plastic surgeons, dermatologists, and physicians. Their main job is to perform non-surgical procedures to enhance skin conditions. Most of the treatments are cosmetic in nature. These include facial massages and skin exfoliation. They may also get to help with IPL, laser tattoo removal, microdermabrasion, and body-sculpting. However, those who work in hospitals may have the opportunity to help burn patients who have suffered injuries. Some will also get to work with cancer patients who have experienced skin problems due to chemotherapy.

How to be a medical aesthetician?
Formal training is needed to become a medical aesthetician. It would be best if you enrolled yourself in an approved general cosmetology school. The time needed to get a medical aesthetics certification varies per school, but it may take from six weeks up to nine months. A good program will provide on-the-job training programs for students so that they can thoroughly practice their skills. A typical curriculum includes topics on aesthetic medicine, skin disorders, physiology, and salon management. Advanced classes on cosmetic chemistry, medical weight loss, and aromatherapy may also be offered by the school.

After taking all the classes, passing all the requirements, and completing all the required on-the-job training hours, you must pass the state-administered examination. A typical exam includes a combination of a written test and practical application. Once certified, you can start applying for a job and improving your technique.

Continuing education

Learning should not stop when you get your license. If you are planning to become a master aesthetician, you need to have 600 hours of advanced training. This will require you to take medical-focused instructions and detailed processes related to the beauty industry. Aside from taking classes, you should also join professional organizations. Examples of these are Associated Skin Care Professionals (ASCP) and Aesthetics International Association (AIA). Being a member will keep you up-to-date with the latest techniques in cosmetology. Furthermore, membership to these organizations will allow you to have discounted workshop rates and insurance premiums. You will also benefit much from its business advice, marketing materials, and networking resources.

Other career paths

Having your certificate will provide you with a lot of opportunities in the beauty industry. Two of the major ones are a skincare specialist who assists patients with skin imperfections and a medical laser technician who helps out in LASIK eye surgery and skin-tightening procedures. However, you can also pursue being a spa therapist or a medical consultant. Additionally, you can also apply as a clinical instructor once you have honed your skills through practice.

Becoming a medical aesthetician is a noble profession. It will take a lot of financial and educational investments if you are planning to pursue this track. However, because of the increasing demand for this field, rest assured that it is a lucrative endeavor. Aside from the profit, you will also get to experience the joy in witnessing people develop confidence.

This is a guest blog entry.