Estheticians are licensed skincare specialists who are trained to provide a variety of aesthetic services. Becoming one can open a lot of opportunities for career choices including becoming a medical esthetician, working in a salon or spa, becoming a skincare specialist, or even working for a dermatologist.
Estheticians are also in high demand in an industry that’s evolving rapidly—so it is a career choice that also offers long-term stability. In fact, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment projected the demand for estheticians to grow 29 percent from 2020 to 2030, much faster than the average of all other occupations.
If you are considering becoming an esthetician, picking the right school to get your required hours to sit for the state license is the first big step. While there are many in-person schools to study, there are also online options as well. We rounded up the top five online esthetician certification courses that will help you be on your way to becoming a superstar esthetician.
What Does An Esthetician Do?
As we stated above, estheticians are licensed skincare professionals who examine the skin and determine the best treatments for the client and then perform those services. Facials, hair removal, chemical peels, body wraps, microdermabrasion, waxing, threading, make-up application, and selling skincare products are among the services offered. Estheticians are not allowed to treat or diagnose skin conditions or diseases.
Rather they focus on skincare that contributes to overall health and beauty. Their understanding of the skin is also helpful in spotting conditions in clients that may need to be seen by a dermatologist or other medical doctor.
How Long Do Certification Courses Take?
When it comes to pursuing the online coursework to obtain the license to become a practicing esthetician, the requirements will come down to each state to determine how many hours are needed including required hands-on practical training.
The average time it takes to finish an online course to become an esthetician is around six months with 600 hours of training. However, some states require 750 hours completed before sitting for the state licensing exam. It can take up to 2 years or more to earn an associate degree or higher in esthetics.
What Are The Costs?
Pricing for online esthetician courses on average can range from $3000-$10000 (but can certainly be more) depending on the duration of the program, location, and the number of mandated hours to meet the state requirements. Other variables when trying to determine the cost of the online program will be textbooks and registration fees.
What Should You Look For In An Online Course To Become An Esthetician?
If you are looking for online certification courses, it is wise to seek schools that are part of a state-approved and accredited esthetics or cosmetology program. The National Accreditation Commission for the Arts and Sciences of Cosmetology (NACCAS) is one of the best bodies for accreditation. Esthetician students can study a specialty in some online programs.
Certain specialty services like wraps, microdermabrasion, aromatherapy, body treatments, laser hair removal, treatment for active acne, and tattoo makeup require additional training to perform. Check with your state to see what the requirements are.
What Kind Of Degrees Are Available Online For Estheticians?
Online training programs for estheticians can lead to a variety of credentials ranging from the basic Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) to a master’s degree. These degrees are then subdivided into further categories in the field of aesthetics including a professional hairdressing certificate, professional aesthetic certificate, hairdressing, as well as other specialties.
The professional certificate comes before the CPC with online schools. The CPC training prepares you to work as a practitioner at a salon, spa, cosmetic store, and aesthetic institute, among other places. For those who wish to run an aesthetic institute, the professional certificate is a continuation of the CPC.
As such, coursework in management is added to the training. For those looking to work in management or in a scientific role in aesthetics, there are bachelor and master programs. For those who hold beautician or cosmetology licenses, they can take specialized coursework to help them meet their requirements in anatomy, physiology, massage techniques, and management.
What Are The Top Five Online Programs?
NIMA: NIMA offers coursework that puts a premium on science and staying on the cutting-edge of the aesthetic industry. Furthermore, the school offers an advanced curriculum that goes beyond the typical skincare and massage classes to include education on lasers and injectables. NIMA is considered one of the most forward-thinking programs that provides a more clinical approach to esthetics. So, if you are seeking training that is more science-based, this could be a great option.
Aveda: Aveda is a skincare and cosmetics company in addition to being one of the most widely recognized and reputable schools for cosmetology and aesthetics and they often have famous lecturers. Certification from an Aveda school helps future estheticians stand out from the pack due to the strong reputation the company has built through the years.
Estelle Esthetics Program: Another online esthetic program that is loved by students is the Estelle Esthetics Program. Classes can be taken at your own pace, and you can choose the coursework you want so you avoid additional fees. The school also helps with job placement once the coursework is completed. Estelle Esthetics offer several courses that give students studying esthetics the opportunity to get a peek of other parts of the field, which helps them to know what they may pursue within the industry.
Catherine Hinds Institute of Esthetics: Established in 1979, Catherin Hinds Institute of Esthetics is one of the top online schools for studying esthetics. The school focuses on providing the latest cutting-edge information in the field and trains its students in skincare, spa therapies, waxing, make-up artistry, and advanced esthetics.
Bottom Line
The field of aesthetics is growing at a rapid pace. If you are considering pursuing a career as an esthetician, there couldn’t be a better time. Just make sure you pick the most appropriate online school for your goals. The online certifications offer flexibility for students to do the coursework on their own schedule, they are generally affordable, and they are packed with enough information to begin creating a solid foundation in the field of esthetics.