What does a medical esthetician do?

What is a Medical Esthetician?

Medical estheticians are skincare professionals who work in clinical settings, often alongside dermatologists, plastic surgeons, and other healthcare providers. They are trained to perform advanced skincare procedures like chemical peels, microdermabrasion, laser treatments, and microneedling, often assisting with pre- and post-operative skincare for cosmetic surgery patients. In essence, medical estheticians bridge the gap between cosmetic beauty treatments and medical skincare.

What does a Medical Esthetician do?

Duties and Responsibilities
A medical esthetician specializes in providing skincare treatments and cosmetic procedures in a medical or clinical setting, often under the supervision of a healthcare professional. Here are the key duties and responsibilities:

• Skin Assessments and Consultations: Medical estheticians conduct thorough skin assessments to determine clients' skincare needs and recommend appropriate treatments. They perform consultations to discuss treatment options, explain procedures, and address any concerns or questions.
• Performing Treatments: They administer various skincare treatments, such as chemical peels, microdermabrasion, laser hair removal, and advanced facial therapies. They ensure that treatments are applied correctly and safely, adhering to medical protocols and hygiene standards.
• Pre- and Post-Treatment Care: Medical estheticians provide pre-treatment instructions and post-treatment care guidance to clients. They monitor clients' skin reactions and progress, offering advice on skincare routines and products to enhance results and maintain skin health.
• Maintaining Equipment: They are responsible for the maintenance and sanitation of skincare equipment and tools. This includes routine cleaning, sterilization, and ensuring that all equipment is functioning correctly to provide safe and effective treatments.
• Documentation and Record Keeping: Medical estheticians keep detailed records of clients' treatments, skin conditions, and progress. Accurate documentation is essential for tracking results, managing client information, and ensuring continuity of care.
• Collaboration with Medical Professionals: They often work alongside dermatologists, plastic surgeons, or other healthcare providers to support and complement medical treatments. Collaboration ensures that esthetic procedures align with medical care plans and enhances overall patient outcomes.

Types of Medical Estheticians
Now that we have a sense of the scope of the medical esthetician’s work, let’s look at some different types of these estheticians, often distinguished by their specific areas of expertise, the environments in which they work, and the types of treatments they provide:

Clinical Estheticians

• Work primarily in dermatology clinics or medical offices
• Focus on treating skin conditions such as acne, rosacea, and psoriasis
• Perform procedures like chemical peels, microdermabrasion, and laser treatments

Spa Medical Estheticians

• Operate in medical spas, combining spa relaxation with clinical treatments
• Provide both cosmetic and therapeutic skincare treatments
• Offer services like facials, body treatments, and advanced anti-aging procedures

Plastic Surgery Estheticians

• Work alongside plastic surgeons, often in surgical clinics or private practices
• Assist with pre- and post-operative skincare for patients undergoing cosmetic surgeries
• Help manage recovery processes and enhance surgical outcomes with specialized skincare routines

Oncology Estheticians

• Specialize in skincare for cancer patients
• Address specific skin issues caused by cancer treatments like chemotherapy and radiation
• Provide gentle, soothing treatments to alleviate side effects and improve the patient’s comfort

Paramedical Estheticians

• Focus on corrective skincare, working with patients who have severe skin conditions or trauma
• Often work in burn units, trauma centers, or reconstructive surgery clinics
• Help patients recover from burns, scars, and other skin injuries through specialized treatments

Sensitive Skin Specialists

• Specialize in treating patients with sensitive or reactive skin
• Use gentle, hypoallergenic products and techniques to minimize irritation and improve skin health

Body Treatment Specialists

• Focus on skincare treatments for the body, such as cellulite reduction, stretch mark treatments, and body contouring
• Provide services like body wraps, scrubs, and targeted laser treatments

What is the workplace of a Medical Esthetician like?

Medical estheticians can work for a variety of healthcare and wellness facilities. These are among their most common employers:

• Dermatology Clinics – These clinics may hire dermatologists to provide advanced skincare treatments and assist in managing skin conditions.
• Plastic Surgery Clinics – Plastic surgery clinics may also employ medical estheticians.
• Medical Spas (MedSpas) – These facilities combine medical treatments with spa services, employing medical estheticians to perform advanced skincare procedures in a relaxing environment.
• Hospitals – In hospital settings, medical estheticians may work in burn units, oncology departments, or dermatology departments, providing specialized skincare for patients.
• Private Practices – Independent dermatologists, plastic surgeons, or cosmetic physicians may employ medical estheticians to offer a range of skincare services to their patients.
• Wellness Centers – Wellness centers that offer comprehensive health and beauty services often employ medical estheticians to provide skin treatments as part of their holistic care approach.
• Cosmetic and Laser Clinics – These clinics specialize in cosmetic procedures and laser treatments, employing medical estheticians to perform a variety of advanced skincare services.
• Rehabilitation Centers – Facilities that focus on physical and esthetic rehabilitation for patients recovering from injuries, surgeries, or medical treatments may employ medical estheticians to aid in the recovery process.
• Oncology Centers – Oncology centers may have medical estheticians on staff to help cancer patients manage skin side effects from the treatments they receive.
• Burn Centers – Specialized burn centers employ medical estheticians to assist in the recovery and rehabilitation of burn patients, providing treatments to improve skin healing and reduce scarring.

The workplace of a medical esthetician can vary depending on the specific setting in which they are employed, but there are some common elements across different environments:

Dermatology Clinics

• Environment – clean, clinical setting with a focus on medical treatments
• Atmosphere – professional and patient-focused, often with a steady flow of patients seeking treatment for skin conditions
• Equipment – advanced skincare devices such as laser machines, microdermabrasion tools, and various chemical peel solutions

Plastic Surgery Offices

• Environment – surgical and clinical, often with private consultation rooms and treatment areas
• Atmosphere – professional, with a focus on pre- and post-operative care
• Equipment – medical-grade skincare products, equipment for advanced treatments, and tools for managing surgical recovery

Medical Spas (MedSpas)

• Environment – a blend of clinical and spa-like ambiance, designed to be relaxing yet professional
• Atmosphere – calming and customer service oriented, with an emphasis on both esthetics and relaxation
• Equipment – combination of medical and spa tools, including laser devices, facial steamers, and massage tables

Hospitals

• Environment – highly clinical and sterile, often part of specialized departments like dermatology or oncology
• Atmosphere – fast-paced and patient-centered, with a focus on medical treatment and recovery
• Equipment – advanced medical equipment, specialized skincare tools, and products for sensitive skin

Private Practices

• Environment – varies depending on the size and focus of the practice, can be more personalized and intimate
• Atmosphere – professional yet personalized, with close interactions between patients and practitioners
• Equipment – tailored to the services offered, including advanced skincare devices and high-quality skincare products

Wellness Centers

• Environment – holistic and health-focused, often incorporating elements of relaxation and wellbeing
• Atmosphere – calming, with an emphasis on overall health and wellness
• Equipment – combination of medical and wellness tools, such as laser devices, hydrotherapy equipment, and holistic skincare products

Cosmetic and Laser Clinics

• Environment – highly specialized and technologically advanced, focusing on cosmetic improvements
• Atmosphere – professional, with a strong focus on results-oriented treatments
• Equipment – state-of-the-art laser machines, advanced skincare devices, and medical-grade products

Rehabilitation Centers

• Environment – clinical and supportive, aimed at patient recovery and rehabilitation
• Atmosphere – encouraging and patient-focused, with a strong emphasis on healing and improvement
• Equipment – specialized rehabilitation tools, skincare devices for treating scars and burns, and products designed for healing