Why should I see an esthetician?
Esthetics is the application of various treatments to the skin to maintain its health and vitality. Estheticians are trained in skin health, helping their children balance oil and moisture levels and achieve a healthy, youthful complexion. In addition to various facial treatments (described in more detail below), they also typically include body treatments such as salt or sugar scrubs, moisturizing or slimming wraps, hair removal methods such as waxing or threading, and hand/foot treatments to rejuvenate the skin.

A variety of treatments and products are used to protect the skin from environmental damage and combat fine lines, wrinkles, and dull, uneven skin tone. Estheticians are also skilled in treating conditions such as acne, rosacea, eczema, and dry skin, to name a few. Finally, skin care treatments are wonderfully relaxing and rejuvenating. If smooth, healthy skin is your goal, a visiting skin care specialist can be of benefit to you.

What is the difference between dermatology, cosmetology, and esthetics?
Dermatology is a branch of the medical profession that involves doctors from different countries who specialize in skin conditions. The practice of esthetics, specifically, correction, prescription of medications, or any other service, procedure, or therapy that requires a medical license. If you are treated by a dermatologist, your esthetician can prescribe complementary and supportive therapies. In addition, estheticians are trained to recognize the early signs of many conditions you may have that affect your skin, and in such cases, refer you to a dermatologist.

Cosmetology is the study of beauty treatments, including foot care, hair care and styling, makeup application, skin care, and more. Esthetics is one of the first cosmetologies; Some estheticians work in other areas of cosmetology in addition to their skin care.

Methods and Products
Methods used by estheticians include facial steaming, wrapping, exfoliation, waxing, pore cleansing, extractions, and chemical peels. Creams, lotions, wraps, clay or gel masks, and salt scrubs are used. Machines may also be used to provide high-tech services.

Some common treatments include:

ChemicalChemical Peel:Peeling: An exfoliation process that is very effective in treating serious skin concerns such as aging, sun damage, acne, mild scarring, and improving the overall smoothness and tone of the skin. Peels can be light, high, or deep. Light peels require no downtime from work or regular activities. Moderate peels may take a day or two to recover, while deep peels may take a week or more to allow the skin to fully heal. Estheticians who do not work in a medical setting perform only light and medium peels. Deep peels are performed by a physician or under the supervision of a physician for your safety. An exfoliation process that is very effective in treating a wide range of skin concerns such as aging, sun damage, acne, mild scarring, improving overall skin radiance, and evening out skin tone. Peels can be light, medium, or deep. Light peels require no downtime from work or normal activities. Moderate peels may require a day or two of downtime, while deep peels may require a week or more for the skin to fully heal. Estheticians who do not work in a medical setting perform only light and medium peels. Deep peels are performed by a physician or under the supervision of a physician for your safety. Exfoliation: The removal of dead skin cells by hand (by scrubbing, brushing, or using a system such as microdermabrasion), with a chemical peel (a product that causes dead skin cells to slough off), or with an enzymatic product that breaks down dead skin cells (microdermabrasion), a chemical peel (a product that causes dead skin cells to slough off), or an enzymatic product that breaks down dead skin cells. Extraction Extraction: This is the process of deep cleansing the pores, either manually (using gloved hands and cotton wool or a cloth around the fingers, using gentle movements to remove clogged pores) or using a metal extraction tool designed to clear blocked pores. It may also involve the use of a lancet (a small, sharp blade used to lift dead skin cells before extraction).This is the process of deep cleansing the pores, either manually (with gloved hands and cotton wool or tissue around the fingers, using gentle pressure to remove clogged pores) or using a metal extraction tool designed to clean. 

sources of blocked pores. This may also involve the use of a lancet (a small, sharp blade used to lift dead skin cells before extraction).
TreatmentsFacials: Facials are the most popular treatment performed by aestheticians. They are a good way for your therapist to get a good idea of ​​your skin before suggesting more aggressive treatments. Facials typically include makeup removal and skin cleansing, mechanical, enzymatic or chemical exfoliation, steaming, extractions, facial massage, a treatment mask, serum/moisturizer and sunscreen. For most people, facials can be prescribed by a doctor four weeks apart, although your therapist may recommend a different schedule depending on your specific regimen. Facials are the most popular treatment performed by aestheticians. They are a good way for your therapist to get a good idea of ​​your skin before suggesting more aggressive treatments. A facial typically involves removing makeup and cleansing the skin, exfoliating with mechanical, enzymatic or chemical means, steaming, extractions, facial massage, a treatment mask, serum/moisturiser and sunscreen. For most people, a facial can be scheduled every four weeks, although your therapist may recommend a different schedule depending on your individual needs.
MicrodermabrasionMicrodermabrasion: The process of microdermabrasion is a skin resurfacing procedure using a machine that abrades the epidermal (outer) layer of skin, either by using a wand with a mineral diamond attachment or by spraying special crystals which are then sucked back up along with the dead skin cells. This can be very useful for improving skin texture, fine lines, and the effectiveness of professional home care products. skin resurfacing is a machine that sands away the epidermal (outer) layer of skin using either a wand tipped with crushed diamonds or a spray of special crystals that are then sucked back in along with the dead skin cells. This can be very useful for improving skin texture, fine lines, and the effectiveness of home care products. Waxing: Waxing removes unwanted hair in a grooming setting. There are two different types of wax: hard and soft. Soft wax is applied to the skin in a warm layer as the hair grows. Fabric strips are then placed over the warm wax, rubbed in the direction of hair growth, and quickly pulled off in the opposite direction. This method is best used on larger areas of the body, such as the legs, back, or chest. Hard wax is used without the fabric strips. It is applied to a warm layer about the thickness of a nickel, allowed to dry, and then quickly removed in the opposite direction of hair growth. Hard wax is less irritating to sensitive skin and is great for the pubic area, underarms, and face.
Visiting an Esthetician
It is always a good idea to schedule a consultation before your first treatment, especially if you are new to aesthetic treatments. This gives you and your therapist the opportunity to discuss your goals and expectations for your first visit, as well as your long-term goals for the future. During your consultation, your therapist will review a simplified appointment form and will likely perform a skin cleanse followed by a detailed skin analysis. This will provide your therapist with the information needed to develop a customized treatment plan, both for a series of professional treatments and for recommendations for products to use at home.

What about home care?
A large part of the success of the conclusion, the visible improvements after treatment, depends on ongoing home care. Your esthetician will discuss the selection of products that will benefit your skin the most and advise you on how to maintain professional results between visits. As with conditioning or dental care, maintaining a daily routine at home is critical if you want to take advantage of the services of a professional visit.

Your Esthetician
Skin care treatments should be performed by a properly trained professional. Don’t hesitate to ask your skin care therapist about their background, education, and experience, especially regarding the treatment you are reviewing. Your therapist is a certified member of the Association of Skin Care Professionals. Our members have been verified to meet their status’s signature requirements and/or basic training requirements and agree to an ethics code that ensures you will be treated responsibly and with the utmost respect. ASCP also provides their credentials to fully utilize resources that allow them to keep up with changing trends, ensuring you receive the most up-to-date treatments available.