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16 | SEPTEMBER 2008 | CALIFORNIA STYLIST & SALON
Sharing Our Career
Esthetic Endeavors
Judith Culp
It’s a great time to be an esthetician.
The demand for well-trained estheticians is
steadily growing and the diversity of job choices
keeps increasing. Increasing too is the number
of people considering our profession.
We as licensed estheticians are the best
reference those considering the career could
have. Our experience goes a long way when we
guide candidates toward their successful entry
into the field.
What can we share that will help them
most? We can talk about the types of jobs out
there, the types of schools out there and the
need to stay excited about continuing education.
Most of all, it is our own joy for what we are
doing that attracts other people.
Not everyone is lucky enough to have a
job they love to do and for which they have a
passion. Helping people solve skincare concerns
and improving their appearance can add to their
self-esteem and quality of life. Being paid for
it is just as sweet. Most estheticians also have
a passion for learning, which is important in a
field that is continually changing.
The diversity of job opportunities seems
to be expanding in every direction for estheticians.
Classically, we worked in salons or day
spas—with only a few finding their way into
the medical or resort spa arena. Now, more and
more physicians are adding esthetic services. In
the past, estheticians were only found in the offices
of plastic surgeons. These days, dermatologists,
gynecologists and even dentists are seeing
the value of adding esthetic services. As the
insurance crunch continues, medical professionals
are looking for services where there is
no insurance billing or discounting involved.
Esthetic services fit right into their parameters.
Let’s not forget the opportunities with large
retail cosmetic corporations. They offer lots of
education and benefits that may not be found in
many other areas of the industry. A person may
start out in sales and move into department,
regional or even national management, buying
or education.
Another interesting twist is embracing
both esthetic and makeup artistry skills for the
television, movie and fashion industries. With
high definition TV, all those skin problems that
used to be easily covered with makeup are now
plainly visible. More celebrities and aspiring
celebrities are seeing a skin care professional to
enhance their career opportunities. The makeup
artist does more than paint a pretty face; they
work to enhance the skin that is the canvas.
As the field of esthetics continues to grow,
so grows the demand for those who provide
services to estheticians. This means there is an
increased need for sales representatives, regional
and national manufacturer educators, instructors
at the pre- and post-licensing level and
much more. While offering these services is
fun, writing about it can also be exciting. Trade
publications are always looking for new articles
or a new twist on a hot topic. As new technologies
emerge, the need increases for those who
know how to use them to train others in the
intricacies of their use.
I find it interesting that we are seeing more
people enter the industry who have college
degrees in a diversity of fields. Those with
backgrounds in marketing or administration
have skills they could use in private practice or
as industry consultants. With corporations purchasing
or setting up spas, there is a need not
only for those who know the industry but also
those who have strong managerial skills. More
choices will continue to emerge for creative
thinkers.
It is also helpful to guide future estheticians
in their educational choices. There are both
convenience-based schools and specialty-based
schools for them to consider.
Convenience based schools are those
located in most cities. Their philosophy is to
provide preparatory education so students can
graduate and get their state licenses. Most teach
entry-level positions.
Specialty based schools are those that focus
on a specific area of training, in our case esthetics.
Attending one of these may require relocation
while completing the course.
What should a school teach? Each state has
different requirements, but the National Coalition
of Estheticians, Manufacturers, Distributors
and Associations (NCEA) has created both
a basic and advanced esthetic task list. On their
website www.ncea.tv they list guidelines for the
first 600 hours of esthetic education.
The NCEA has gone on to develop guidelines
for a second 600 hour advanced program
that should be taken only after the completion
of basic training. These are the skills we want
to strive for, and then encourage those coming
into the industry to seek out.
The advanced level builds on the knowledge
gained in basic training, and adds hands on
training with advanced modalities. Knowledge
of these areas allows us to work safely with
these devices and protect both our clients and
ourselves.
This level of knowledge will come from
advanced specialty training programs or from
schools that offer it as a stand-alone program,
combo-program or workshops in specific areas
of interest. With such advanced level training,
job opportunities will only continue to grow.
Judith Culp, a CIDESCO Diplomat has been in the esthetics industry since
1980. A CPCP permanent makeup technician for over 18 years she served a
4-year term as a Director for the Society of Permanent Cosmetic Professionals,
two years as their president. She is president of Culp Enterprises Inc. and
CEO of NW Institute of Esthetics. Judy Culp is available for consulting. For
more information visit www.estheticsnw.com.