Estheticians & Electrologists

Description

Mirror, mirror on the wall....

Let's face it, we're all just a teensy bit vain. We all want to highlight our assets--and downplay the drawbacks. You know, those pesky hairs in the wrong place, the calluses on your pretty little feet, the blackheads on your nose. . .okay, okay, you get the picture.

Estheticians are concerned with the aesthetics of the human body. They have skills in a number of areas, such as deep facial cleansing, manicures and pedicures, hair removal, makeup application--all those services that help make us feel a little pampered and keep us looking our best.

Specific duties

There are lots of jobs that fall under the category of estheticians and electrologists. Here are just a few of them:

• estheticians give facial and other body treatments using specialized products and techniques
  
• cosmeticians advise customers on the use of make-up and other beauty products and apply make-up to customers; may specialize in applying make-up to models or other individuals for special occasions
  
• electrologists remove unwanted hair permanently from client's face or body using specialized electrical hair removal equipment
  
• manicurists and pedicurists clean, shape and polish fingernails and toenails and provide related treatments
  
• scalp treatment specialists apply medicated lotions to treat scalp conditions and hair loss
  
• tattoo artists apply permanent designs to customer's skin, using electric needles and chemical dyes; may also apply temporary designs to customer's skin
  
• hair replacement technicians (non-medical) prepare and apply custom-made hair pieces to customer's scalp, weave customer's hair to hair pieces and provide scalp treatments.
  

Related careers

You might be also be interested in these careers that have similar educational and/or training requirements, or that share similar duties.

• Hairstylists & Barbers
• Image, Social & Other Personal Consultants

High school path

A CareerMATTERS consultant suggests these high school courses would be helpful. They are not pre-requisites to post secondary programs, nor are they necessary to obtain employment. You should consult with your school counsellor to make the best choices for your own career path.

Recommended Courses
Grade 9	Grade 10	Grade 11	Grade 12
English
ENG1D English, Grade 9, Academic or ENG1P English, Grade 9, Applied	ENG2D English, Grade 10, Academic or ENG2P English, Grade 10, Applied	ENG3C English, Grade 11, College Preparation or ENG3E English, Grade 11, Workplace Preparation	ENG4C English, Grade 12, College Preparation or ENG4E English, Grade 12, Workplace Preparation
Math
MFM1P Foundations of Mathematics, Grade 9, Applied or MPM1D Principles of Mathematics, Grade 9, Academic	MFM2P Foundations of Mathematics, Grade 10, Applied or MPM2D Principles of Mathematics, Grade 10, Academic	MBF3C Foundations for College Mathematics, Grade 11, College Preparation or MCF3M Functions and Applications, Grade 11, University/College Preparation or MEL3E Mathematics for Work and Everyday Life, Grade 11, Workplace Preparation	MAP4C Foundations for College Mathematics, Grade 12, College Preparation or MCT4C Mathematics for College Technology, Grade 12, College Preparation or MEL4E Mathematics for Work and Everyday Life, Grade 12, Workplace Preparation
Science
SNC1D Science, Grade 9, Academic or SNC1P Science, Grade 9, Applied	SNC2D Science, Grade 10, Academic or SNC2P Science, Grade 10, Applied	SBI3C Biology, Grade 11, College Preparation or SNC3E Science, Grade 11, Workplace Preparation or SNC3M Science, Grade 11, University/College Preparation	SCH4C Chemistry, Grade 12, College Preparation or SNC4E Science, Grade 12, Workplace Preparation or SNC4M Science, Grade 12, University/College Preparation
Optional
BBI1O, BBI2O Introduction to Business, Gr. 9 or 10, Open or BTT1O, BTT2O Information and Communication Technology in Business, Grade 9 or 10, Open	BAI3E Accounting Essentials, Grade 11, Workplace Preparation or BDP3O Entrepreneurship: The Enterprising Person, Grade 11, Open or BTA3O Information and Communication Technology: The Digital Environment, Grade 11, Open or TPA3C Health Care, Grade 11, College Preparation or TPE3E Hairstyling and Aesthetics, Grade 11, Workplace Preparation	BTX4C Information and Communication Technology: Multimedia Solutions, Grade 12, College Preparation or BTX4E Information and Communication Technology in the Workplace, Grade 12, Workplace Preparation or TPE4E Hairstyling and Aesthetics, Grade 12, Workplace Preparation

* students planning technical school/college training might consider college-level courses

* students should consult their counsellor for appropriate Technology options in Grades 11 and 12

* Biology and Chemistry will be needed

* a job shadowing/co-op experience is recommended

Post-secondary options

• You'll need to complete a high school, college, or beauty school program for cosmeticians, estheticians, electrologists, manicurists, and pedicurists, though you can get on-the-job training, too.
  
• Electrologists usually require certification from an electrologist's educational institution and/or membership in a provincial or national electrolysis association. To provide electrology laser and vascular treatments, they may need to complete a registered dermal therapy program.
  
• Estheticians usually require certification from an esthetician's educational institution.
  
• A business licence is required if you're the owners/operator of a business offering these services and practitioners offering these personal services are required to adhere to infection control procedures.

There may be several different paths to a career. Post-secondary education or training programs will help, but they are not a guarantee. You should research your options carefully before deciding on any program of study. Click here for a comparison chart of institutions or accreditations.

The following programs offered at Ontario post-secondary institutions may be helpful in pursuing a career in this field. In addition to the institutions listed here, please refer to "For more information" (at left) for a list of organizations and associations that may also offer programs of study.

Institution	Programs offered
College
Conestoga College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning	Basic Esthetics Skin & Beauty Care
Fanshawe College	Aesthetics - Continuing Education
Fleming College	Spa Esthetics
Loyalist College	Esthetician
Sault College	Esthetician
Seneca College	Cosmetic Techniques and Management Esthetician
Sheridan College	Cosmetic Techniques and Management Esthetician
St. Clair College	Esthetician (Fast Track)
St. Clair College - Thames Campus	Esthetician (Fast Track)
St. Lawrence College	Esthetician

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Career path

Wondering how you could prepare for a career in this field? Or what else you might do once you have some experience?

After a number of years experience, you might want to open up your own shop. You'll not only be your own boss but you'll have some employees, too.

Employers

These are examples of the places, businesses and industries that employ people in this field:

beauty salons
electrolysis studios
scalp treatment clinics
hair replacement clinics
cosmetic departments of pharmacies
cosmetic departments of department stores

Work environment

You'll be working in clean, pleasant surroundings with good lighting. Good ventilation is important too, because you might be exposed to smelly chemicals. You may need to wear protective clothing such as plastic gloves or aprons.

You'll probably work at some odd hours such as evenings and weekends when it's convenient for your customers. If you're self-employed, you'll probably work more than a 40-hour week--got to build up that client base!

Common job titles

Also Known As....

Beauty treatment operator
Cosmetician
Electrologist
Electrolysis technician
Esthetician
Manicurist
Pedicurist
Scalp treatment specialist
Tattoo artist

For more information

Links to associations, organizations, unions and other places that may be able to provide more information.

• Canadian Organization of Professional Electrologists
  A wealth of information about hair removal and the electrolysis industry.