In recent years, the esthetic industry has shifted from a focus on purely pampering services to treatments that are results and wellness oriented. As clients become more exposed to health, preventative aging and product trends via the Internet and social media, it’s more and more incumbent on us as estheticians to truly be professionals – educated and prepared to answer the growing demands of today’s clients.
What areas of expertise are you passionate about?
That’s a perfect place to start to further your education. Are you a product junkie? Hooked on peels? Intrigued with specialty treatments? Opportunities in the industry are limitless. Position yourself as the expert in the areas of esthetics that most interest you and it won’t even seem like work! Your knowledge and experience position you to greatly enhance your value to clients in this continually changing and growing industry.
Research areas of esthetics you haven’t previously experienced for ideas on how to continue your education. The core skills you learned in training are a given, but new technology and advanced treatments require you to be knowledgeable when it comes to advanced skin care – especially when treating the “new educated client.” New rules and/or regulations imposed since the onset of the pandemic will no doubt remain in place to some degree as part of the future face of esthetics.
Opportunity is limited only by your imagination! Great esthetic instructors will always be in demand. You could be the person who trains the next generation of professionals. Skincare product companies hire estheticians for sales, marketing, and administration as well as companies that manufacture skincare equipment. Website development and writers of content marketing for the esthetic market are in great demand as well.
Stock your skills toolbox
What unique gifts do you have that are like no-one else? The world needs you! Transferrable skills are a key component for not only running your own business but also working for someone else. Take inventory of yourself and your skills. You’ll find you are so much more that simply providing a facial.
Today’s esthetician must provide excellent service, educate their client, and recommend home care advice. It’s critical you provide your client with informed, expertise. Clients can do their own research for treatments, products, and trends so you need to be ahead of the curve. Any client who feels they can DIY won’t need you. And that means they will be missing out on an amazing experience! In addition, you must be organized – taking care of administrative details like accurate client files and records, developing your sales skills, and marketing yourself.
Client Care
Your client should feel warmly welcomed, confident in the treatment they receive and 100% taken care of from the moment they walk in the door to the moment they check out. Your client is coming to you for one or more of 3 reasons: to find a service that makes them feel better (relaxation, wellness, etc.); solve a problem, or prevent one. Treat them with the professionalism and care they seek – client care and customer service is a key to spa success.
Product Knowledge
An understanding of product ingredients and how they interact with each other and on the skin, as well as what works and what doesn’t is essential. There’s a vast of ocean of skincare products available over the counter and online, so it’s important you help clients navigate in the right direction – recommending the right products and showing them how to use them correctly for maximum results. Product education is a necessity.
With the continued growth and rapid change happening in the esthetic industry, more opportunities for continuing education and advanced training continue to emerge. Skincare product and equipment companies offer their own company-led certifications. Specialty training in areas like Oncology Skincare offer estheticians a chance to expand their credentials and spa offerings. Lash extensions and lash lift training, brow lamination, laser treatments, body therapies, nursing training for injecting dermal fillers, esthetic mentoring and business consultation are just a few other areas gaining massive attention. Here’s to raising your personal and professional bar – keep learning!,