how to become an esthetician in a med spa
let us start by saying, we enjoy every facet of being an esthetician. it's a rewarding career in an industry that's constantly evolving. it also happens to be our true passion, and as the saying goes, if you do what you love, you'll never work a day in your life- we couldn't agree more. we're often asked how we got started, so we wanted to share the process and what options you have if you're considering becoming an esthetician in a med spa...
how we got started
after years of feeling unfulfilled by our corporate jobs, we decided enough was enough. not to be dramatic, but the mundane day-to-day at the office was soul-sucking. we knew it was now or never, so we decided to take a leap of faith and start pursuing the one thing that truly excites us and never gets old, our favorite topic: skincare, beauty and all things anti-aging
step #1: pick a school to get your esthetician license
before picking a school, make sure you do your research as you will spend A LOT of time there. texas requires 750 classroom hours, which equates to about 4 to 6 months for full-time students and up to 9 to 12 months for part-time students to complete the program, so don't take this decision lightly. always ask other estheticians about their experience- they're your best resource and will tell you like it is. we attended the aveda institute in dallas
step #2: start your brand
in today's society, social media is everything. your future clients will look to your instagram page as a portfolio of your work & knowledge. we started our blog and instagram account shortly after enrolling in school. it's crucial to start branding yourself right away. share tips and educate, even if your intention is to work for someone else. always think of yourself as an individual entity. finding a job in the med spa industry is extremely competitive, and we credit our blog and instagram following for how we landed our first gig
step #3: laser school
once you've finished esthetician school, you're going to want to enroll in laser school to become a "certified laser technician." having this certification is what will set you apart from other estheticians when applying for a job at a med spa. this is why some practitioners put an "a" in front of the "e" and refer themselves as an "aesthetician" or "licensed medical aesthetician." the laws are different in every state, but texas law requires you to complete a 40-hour course to meet LHR (laser hair removal) apprentice-in-training status. it's also the only state-regulated treatment. however, you'll be trained on all types of lasers, such as photofacials, skin resurfacing, tattoo removal, etc. we were obsessed with laser school. the course is roughly 2 weeks straight. literally, every single day. we attended national laser institute in dallas
step #4: start applying
we started by walking in and dropping off our resumes. ask to speak to the manager while you're there- don't be shy. we also took to social media and sent DM's to the med spas we were interested in. you may have to start at the front desk, just make sure it's a temporary position that gets you where you want to be. the front desk is a great place to learn the business side of the industry, so consider it a stepping stone. doctor's offices are another option when applying as most plastic surgeons and dermatologists offer laser and aesthetic services
step #5: continuing education
you're not going to learn everything you need to know in school. you'll learn the basics, but it's up to you to continue your education by attending classes (dermatologica institute is great for this), trade shows, reading articles, listening to podcasts, etc. this industry is constantly evolving, so always consider yourself a student and be hungry for knowledge. hands-on experience is one of the best ways to learn and grow. when you work in a med spa, you get to meet with different skincare and laser reps that will train you on their product and usually give you a certificate of completion that you can add to your resume
-in closing-
this career path requires a lot of hustle, so if you're not a people person or aren't truly passionate about skin, then this isn't the right move for you. there's also a lot more you can do with your esthetician license than work in a med spa. for instance, you could work for a skincare or laser company as a rep. however, this post is tailored to those looking to score a job in a med spa
we're always here as a resource, and we hope that this post inspired & informed you! go for it, babe. x