Medical spa therapists and esthetics professionals are trained experts that perform skincare medical treatments, spa therapies, and other body wellness treatments. Esthetics training programs provide you the skills needed to effectively and safely perform these treatments. Some programs go beyond the general curriculum to offer you valuable specialty skills such as laser hair reduction and laser pigment and capillary removal. It’s also essential to find a program that will provide hands-on training and preparation so you can enter the workforce fully prepared to treat clients upon graduating. If you’re interested in helping people, learning valuable skills, and providing customers with a relaxing and rejuvenating experience, then becoming a medical spa therapist or esthetics professional may be a great fit for your career. Esthetic training programs also offer varying coursework and learning experiences, which is why it’s essential that you research and find the right school that matches your career goals.
To pick the right esthetics school in Ontario, you should ensure that the school has modern equipment available, expert and experienced faculty, a covid-compliant and clean environment, clinical practice, and historical connections to employers. It's necessary to consider the opportunities for hands-on training from qualified faculty because clinical practice hours promise a smooth shift from school to the workplace. An often-overlooked aspect of esthetics schools is coursework in business skills. Courses in sales, marketing, management, and even merchandising can prove to be a game-changer once in the field. Finally, with the uncertainty of the Covid-19 virus, it's essential to review the schools' compliance with Covid-19 regulations and ensure the training environment is safe. Also, check to see if the school provides the option to take classes online. Having the ability to complete coursework online, you’ll not lose any time to graduation due to government restrictions or unanticipated outbreaks.
Esthetics Courses and Career Preparation
An esthetics program in Ontario should meet criteria that will allow you to begin work immediately upon graduation. Coursework will often include training in microdermabrasion, manicures and pedicures, skin treatments, waxing, spa therapies, and body contouring. Some programs offer specialty skills in laser hair reduction and skin pigment and capillary removal. Another critical part of esthetics training is a hands-on experience. Many esthetics programs will offer you opportunities to test your newly learned skills on "customers" in a spa-like experience. After completing the requisite foundational training, you’ll complete services on other students, faculty, or volunteers. This hands-on training aspect allows you to experience different spa equipment, such as laser or body contouring machines, and gain experience understanding skincare protocols and customer service.
Learn the Esthetics Skills to Drive More Income
It’s also important that the esthetics program you choose includes practical classes in business skills. Many estheticians will work for themselves upon graduating, and abilities such as spa management and sales will be invaluable to their success and help drive greater business income. Once in the field, many practitioners will also receive on the job training; however, their coursework will provide them with foundational knowledge which they can apply in any situation.
Look for Qualified, Experienced Esthetics Faculty
Another vital aspect of your training experience is the faculty that you learn from. An esthetics training program is a commitment and immersive educational experience, so it’s critical you learn from qualified educators. Having an educator who has been in the field to help mentor you through the different phases of the program is an invaluable experience. Often faculty who have on-the-job experience can help you navigate situations that may arise during an actual client encounter. You should also verify the credentials of the faculty at the school. Having faculty credentialed in the medical spa field ensures that you’re getting the best learning experience.
Esthetician Licensing from an Approved Program
To qualify as a medical spa therapist or esthetician in Ontario, you’ll need a secondary school diploma or equivalent. You’ll need to complete an approved medical spa therapist or esthetics program. To qualify for a job in Ontario, an esthetician must hold a certification from an educational or training institution that is approved by the Ministry of Training, College and Universities.
How Long Does it Take to Complete an Esthetics Program
Esthetics programs vary in length, and the minimum requirement in Ontario is 900 hours but can be longer depending on the number of skills you’d like to learn. Generally speaking, the more skills you learn, the more valuable you are to employers and the more income you can earn. A broader base of skills allows you to earn more revenue from paying customers. Based on your specialties and career goals, you can choose the program that best suits your needs.
Esthetician Program Prerequisites
First, you’ll also need a secondary school diploma or equivalent to qualify as a medical spa therapist or esthetician. You’ll also need to complete a medical spa therapist or esthetics program preferably from an approved school.
Esthetician and Spa Therapist Career Outlook
Medical spa therapy and esthetics are growing industries. According to the International Spa Association (ISPA), there are 7.7 million active spa-goers in Canada. According to Job Bank published by the Canadian Government, estheticians' job outlook is labeled "good" in the Toronto area primarily due to the growing population and the above-average share of spas and personal care service operations. With more consumers focusing on stress-relief, disease-prevention, and increased awareness of alternative therapies for expanded mind and body wellness – medical spa therapists and estheticians are in high demand. Due to the spa industry's expansion, graduates can find a rewarding career in many different settings upon graduation. Career options can include:
Choose an Esthetician Program with Employer Connections
When choosing an esthetics school, you should ensure that the program you’re enrolling in will allow you to transition into the workforce immediately upon graduating. Program features such as a student spa clinic or hands-on training with actual spa equipment are excellent opportunities for you to be fully prepared to enter into a spa career. You’ll also want to check with the faculty to see what type of relationships they have with industry professionals. Often, faculty can be instrumental in helping place you in a job once your education is complete.
Choosing an Esthetics School Location
Once you feel that an esthetics career is right for you, you should begin to look at different programs, decide the types of specialty areas you prefer, confirm the program's length, and how to gain an understanding of how prepared you’ll be to enter into the career field. In Ontario, for you to qualify for an esthetics job, you’ll need to complete a certification program. Licensure varies across Canada and the United States, so you should consider where you’ll live after graduating to ensure you have the right credentials.
Ensure the Esthetician Program is Safe and Covid-19 Compliant
With the uncertainty of the covid-19 virus, it's essential to review the schools' compliance with Covid-19 regulations and confirm that the school has safety protocols, sanitation measures, and requirements to ensure you training is safe and healthy. Also, check to see if the school provides the option to take classes online. Having the ability to complete coursework online, you can be confident that you will not lose any time to graduation due to possible government shutdowns or unanticipated outbreaks.
Taking the Next Step to an Esthetician and Medical Spa Therapy Career
A career in medical spa therapy and esthetics can be a rewarding career endeavor. If you are interested in helping people, learning valuable skills, and keeping up-to-date on the latest wellness trends, a career in esthetics is right for you. As a professional esthetician, you will help others relax, correct problematic skin and minor health issues, and provide clients with the opportunity to feel better about themselves. People across Canada are embracing health and wellness practices that medical spa therapists and esthetics professionals offer. With the right training and experience, you will provide an invaluable service to your clients and your community.
If you’re interested in learning more about the medical esthetician industry, spa therapy field, and career opportunities, call us at 888-641-6300 or visit our esthetics and medical spa therapy page today!
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