Jamie Garland, Kassidy Garland, and Ashlee Ludwig from the Institute of Medical Aesthetics discusses the often-confusing differences between the fields of esthetics and medical aesthetics.
Since the humanities' early beginnings, people have spent time establishing beauty and health routines to set them apart from other groups, extend their lifespan, and feel better and beautiful. In every culture, there has been an expert that establishes set practices to serve their communities. The field of esthetics as we know it today, took off in the early 19th century, growing constantly with new developments in technology, beauty standards, and practices. Originally, the idea of beautification consisted mostly of makeup, nails, basic skincare, and hair removal. Now the field of esthetics has grown exponentially, including medical aesthetics.
Often, people use the words esthetics and aesthetics interchangeably, however, there is a difference. The difference comes because the field of aesthetics (or medical aesthetics) is actually a subsection of the overall field of esthetics. Traditional esthetics (esthetician) typically includes facials, waxing, spray tans, makeup, etc. Esthetics is often seen as pampering. While it can be just that, it also has a goal of cleaning, exfoliating, and hydrating the skin to maintain the health of the skin. Medical Aesthetics (aesthetician) is a branch of esthetics that is results-oriented. Medical aesthetics demands extensive expertise in human anatomy, physiology, chemistry, biochemistry, pharmacology, and laser physics. These procedures are usually conducted in a medical environment under the guidance of a medical director.
Although there is a difference between esthetics and medical aesthetics, one is not better than the other. Each field has its time, place, and clientele. Traditional esthetics is found in day spas, destination spas, holistic health centers, etc. Traditional day spas cater to a diverse clientele seeking relaxation, rejuvenation, and pampering with lower price points. Medical aesthetics, however, is found in medical spas, dermatologist offices, plastic surgery centers, and typically comes with a clientele that is more focused on specific concerns, medical-grade treatments, and higher price points. The treatments in medical aesthetics can be more aggressive, invasive, non-invasive, or prescription, offering faster or more significant results. These treatments may consist of laser treatments, higher-grade chemical peels, injectables, and more.
When you are considering how you would like to grow in your career, it is important to understand the differences between esthetics and medical aesthetics. For one, because of the price points of your treatments, there may be a difference in compensation between the two segments of the beauty industry. Compensation is a significant concern for many people planning their career goals, and it is absolutely something to take into consideration, but not the only one. Traditional esthetics and medical aesthetics provide entirely different work environments, meaning different clientele, liability, compliance, rules, and especially, education. If you are to choose medical aesthetics, it is imperative to understand that traditional esthetics licenses are a prerequisite, but additional education and training is almost always required. Some businesses may choose to train you on the job, but understanding the quality of training and how it may affect your contract is also not something to take lightly.
In general, esthetics and medical aesthetics differ in various aspects such as the treatments offered, the practice settings, and the required education for these procedures. If you are passionate about providing relaxation and beauty enhancement services in a more laid-back environment, a career in esthetics might be the right fit. However, if you're intrigued by the advanced science, devices, and protocols and enjoy working in a clinical setting with a focus on advanced treatments, medical aesthetics could be your ideal career path.