Is an esthetician and a medical esthetician the same? If you’re considering one of these job titles as a career, it’s a question you’re likely asking. An esthetician is a professional, usually employed by a salon or spa, who provides skin-related treatments, hair removal, and nail services to clients. These skin treatments are usually cosmetic and include services such as makeup applications, facials, manicures, pedicures, waxing, and body treatments.
In addition to everything an esthetician can do, Medical estheticians can provide laser-based treatments and therapies leading to additional employment opportunities. Medical estheticians can be employed in medical settings, such as a dermatology office.
If you’ve been interested in joining this fast-paced career that is expected to grow faster than average through 2031, then you’ve come to the right place because, here, is where we answer your questions about the difference between esthetician and medical esthetician in Canada.
Those who succeed in this role possess a desire to help others, have great communication skills, and a desire to constantly teach themselves. If this describes you, then a career as a cosmetic or medical esthetician may be right for you.
Here’s what you need to know about this industry, including what your day-to-day tasks will be and what training you’ll need to undergo to start working.
As briefly mentioned above, an esthetician is someone who provides cosmetic skin-related treatments and services. Though they are most commonly employed by privately owned spas and salons, they are also quite in demand in hotels, hair replacement clinics, and health centers.
As an esthetician, your focus will be on beauty treatments. Daily treatments may include:
In addition to providing these services, you also have to be up-to-date on the latest sanitization and sterilization procedures to ensure the health and wellness of your clients.
As noted above, a medical esthetician can perform all of the same techniques as traditional estheticians.
What makes medical estheticians different is that they undergo additional training to be able to work in a medical setting. You’ll find medical esthetician job opportunities available at medical spas, and burn clinics, as well as in private dermatology or plastic surgery offices.
Daily tasks include but aren’t limited to:
In addition to providing these skin-related services, medical estheticians will also have clinical and patient support tasks such as:
As a medical esthetician, you will be responsible for not only providing these services to patients but also advising them on how to take care of their skin after treatments.
If all of this sounds good and you’re interested in moving toward a rewarding career as an esthetician in Canada, you’ll need to undergo proper training to get started.
In Canada, all estheticians, including medical estheticians, need to have a high school diploma or the equivalent and complete an esthetic school program or related college program.
Bryan College offers a medical esthetic course that runs over 40 weeks. During this program, you’ll learn about specialized treatments that include everything from waxing techniques, laser hair reduction, skin treatments, lymphatic drainage, vein removal, and photo/ fractional facials.
This Advanced Medical Spa Therapy curriculum is continually updated so you’ll only be learning the latest techniques. Plus, because all of our massage and spa clinics are open to the public, you’ll be able to engage with clients and gain invaluable hands-on experience.
Once you complete your training and depending on where you reside, you may need to obtain certification from your local regulatory authority. For estheticians, this includes Manitoba, Nova Scotia, Saskatchewan, and New Brunswick.
In addition to having a rewarding career due to your ability to help people feel better, treat pain, (remove)and increase self-esteem, working as an esthetician has many professional benefits, such as being in demand. In fact, according to the International Spa Association, more than seven million Canadian residents utilize spa treatments. This means employers are always on the lookout for qualified and outgoing candidates!
Furthermore, a career as an esthetician offers a ton of flexibility. You have your pick of what kind of facility you want to work at, including cruise ships, and can even work for yourself.
Quit Googling “What is the difference between an esthetician and a medical esthetician,” and instead call Bryan College!
At Bryan College, you’ll receive the in-demand skills and training that employers want. Estheticians and medical estheticians offer a rewarding career that allows you to implement your creativity, technical skills, and interpersonal skills every day.
If you have further questions about the difference between an esthetician and a medical esthetician in Canada, reach out to our enrollment team to request information. We can be reached at 1-888-641-6300 or via our secure submission form.
Registration:
Registered as a career college under the Ontario Career Colleges Act, 2005.
Member of OCPMTC
