Do you only work with an esthetician when you book yourself a pampering spa day? Or not sure if you should book an appointment with an esthetician or dermatologist? Unsure of how an esthetician or dermatologist can help you personalize your skincare routine? Here’s a look at what an esthetician is and how they can help.
What Is A Dermatologist?
A dermatologist is a medical doctor that specializes in the skin, hair, nails, and mucus membranes of the body. They can diagnose and treat over 3,000 conditions. This includes advising on skincare products, prescribing medications, and advising on skincare treatments often provided by estheticians. Many dermatologists refer to or have on-staff estheticians or aestheticians.
Common reasons to go to a dermatologist include:
- Skin lesions
- Acne
- Skin Rashes
- Hyperpigmentation
- Eczema
- Rosacea
- Skin Cancer
- Dermatitis
- Infections
- Loss of Hair
- Problems with nails
- Laser skin care treatments
- Chemical peels
- Fillers and injectables
What Is An Esthetician?
Estheticians are licensed and certified non-medical skin care professionals. They specialize in improving the appearance of the outermost layers of your skin. They can advise on non-medical skincare products and perform non-medical anti-aging skin care treatments. Estheticians often work in spas and salons but may also work in a dermatologist’s office. Your esthetician will refer you to a dermatologist if they believe you may have a medical skincare condition.
Common reasons to go to an esthetician include:
- Facials
- Body scrubs
- Waxing, threading, and sugaring
- Superficial chemical peels
- Microdermabrasion, body contouring, and non-invasive skin care devices
Some estheticians are specially trained and certified in semi-permanent makeup including eyebrow tinting, lash tinting, and microblading
What Is An Aesthetician?
Different states have different guidelines, but some allow advanced certification and licensing for medical estheticians, aestheticians, or master estheticians. With their additional certification, they may be able to perform more intensive skin care treatments, such as:
- Pre-and post-surgical skincare
- Tattoo removal
- Deeper chemical peels
- Laser hair removal under physician supervision
When To See An Esthetician vs. A Dermatologist?
When in doubt, book with your dermatologist first. We often mistake changes in our skin’s appearance with aging, but there may be an underlying medical or skin condition. If you book with your esthetician or aesthetician first, they will advise you to see a dermatologist if they believe you may have a medical condition.
For example, an esthetician may ask if you’ve seen a dermatologist regarding the red spots on your face? Or they may advise that the dry patches on your skin aren’t just dry or dehydrated skin. While estheticians work with clients who have rosacea, eczema, and other medical skin conditions they cannot diagnose you—and cannot explore the underlying cause.
Once you have a medical diagnosis, estheticians can suggest safe and effective skincare treatments. They may even work with your dermatologist to personalize your skincare routine.
If you don’t have a medical skin condition, an esthetician will talk to you about your skin type and overall skin health. They will advise on products, devices, and treatments that address your individual skin care needs. For example, they may advise on microdermabrasion to even out skin texture and tone and fade acne scarring.
How To Continue Your Spa Skincare At Home?
Love your esthetician’s skincare devices, but don’t have the time or budget to keep up with their recommended treatment schedule? Methode Brigitte Kettner offers a range of Spa-Quality Skincare Devices that are safe for at-home use. This empowers you to continue your esthetician or dermatologist-recommended treatments with fewer trips to the salon, spa, or doctor.