The beauty industry is constantly growing and innovating services, trends, and terms. Esthetics is a career in which you can continuously learn new skills for career development. Among these specialties, the term “medical aesthetician” presents yet another facet of esthetics. Here, at New Age Spa Institute, we are very often questioned about the difference between medical aestheticians and estheticians. First, let’s review the slight spelling distinction between esthetician and aesthetician. Originally, esthetics comes from the Greek word aesthetikos meaning “perceptible to the senses.” In the medical realm, like cosmetic surgery and dermatology, the term aesthetician is preferred in reference to skilled skin specialists. While the modern term esthetician relates to the newer spa culture.
A medical aesthetician is not an accurate title for estheticians involving the integration of surgical procedures and esthetic treatments. In fact, the state of IL does not recognize “medical aestheticians” or “laser technicians.” In medical settings, like medical spas, dental offices, and hospitals, a clinical aesthetician performs services ranging from working with pre-and post-operative patients to managing a skincare department.
While career development is a brilliant goal, it’s important to understand the rules, regulations, and limitations of an esthetician working in a medical setting. Any advanced services that fall outside of the scope of practice for Illinois estheticians must be delegated by a physician. If the service is delegated, you are not considered an esthetician while you perform that service. This means that you should NOT wear a name tag or anything that says “esthetician” on it. Remember: The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) doesn’t recognize medical aestheticians. If an esthetician performs laser, micro-needling, dermaplaning, or other similarly invasive procedures, they are performing those services as a technician delegated by a physician. It’s every professional esthetician’s responsibility to contact the State Board for current rules, regulations, and renewal updates.
Another point to consider is that advanced esthetics training and certifications for clinical aesthetics must be completed by licensed professionals only. Often, in other states and training facilities, these training are offered while an unlicensed student is under the misapprehension that they can perform these services. Initially, a license in esthetics is needed in order to attain practical training for advanced certifications. And this is why New Age Spa Institute continues to be a top accredited training facility offering a wide variety of license programs and continuing education classes with certifications.
