Choosing An Esthetician: 7 Questions to Ask An Esthetician Before Blowing Your Money On A Novice

© Michelle Howard Smith - All Rights Reserved

From pre-teen through adulthood, the chances are you will face problematic skin.  You may be faced with acne, clogged pores, aging skin or a number of other skin conditions.  You may even need to seek the help of a  dermatologist.  However, there are other skilled professionals that may be recommended to tend to your particular needs.  One such professional is an esthetician or aesthetician.

What is an Esthetician?

Estheticians aka Aestheticians specialize in cosmetic treatments of the skin such as chemical peels, facials, body waxing, pore deep pore cleansing and other treatments to help clear up cases of acne.

It is critical to find a  licensed and experienced esthetician qualified to treat your skin type and specific skin condition. This is why you must do your research.  Otherwise, you may very well find yourself spending your money on services that are not properly formed or worst yet, services that you don't require.

To help you determine if an esthetician is qualified to care for your delicate skin, there are some questions you should ask. If he or she is reluctant to answer them, you are dealing with a novice.  In which case, move on.

Don't ever be in a hurry to get work performed on your skin.  Take the time to find the best esthetician you can.  It may take consultations with 3 or 4 before you can decide. That's OK.

Here are some questions to help with choosing an esthetician:

1. How many hours of training have you had?  Most states require that an esthetician have a minimum of 300-600 hours of training; the more, the better.  This person will be working on your delicate skin and you want to be sure that he or she knows what they are doing.
   
   
2. Do you have experience working in day spas or medical offices?  This is an important question because while day spas receive many clients, estheticians that work in medical facilities have additional training in medical grade facial peels and other services such as laser procedures. Additionally, medical estheticians have access to board certified dermatologists should additional assistance be needed as the two usually work together.  That doesn't mean that you can not be treated by an esthetician in a spa.  The severity of your condition should determine that.
   
   
3. Do you use products specifically for sensitive skin and how are those products packaged?  Products that are in a tube are more sanitary, only being exposed to fingers when dispensed.  Also, if you are in an esthetician's office with a skin condition such as acne, you probably have sensitive skin and need to be confident that the products being used on your skin do not cause a reaction.
   
   
4. Will you provide me with a daily skin care regimen?  This is important because good facial care extends far beyond the facial treatment.  A competent esthetician should be able to send you home with a plan to continue caring for your skin after your service has been completed.
   
   
5. What types of products are best suited for my skin type?  If she replies that it doesn't matter (ex: exfoliators are exfoliators), politely end the "interview."  A good esthetician should be able to determine your skin type and recommend adequate maintenance products.  (Note: those products do not have to come from their office)
   
   
6. What types of facial services do you provide?  It may seem like a mundane question but it is important to know based on your skin condition.  Do they specialize in acne treatments, laser treatments, and specific types of facial peels or do they just do basic facials and a little microdermabrasion (which by the way should be used selectively on people of color)
   
   
7. Can you provide me with references?  This is not necessarily mandatory to obtain a good esthetician but it is certainly recommended.  If she does a good job, there should be clients willing to attest to it.

Choosing an esthetician can seem like a bit of a chore but it's better to do your due diligence. You wouldn't hire a builder to build you a home without doing your research would you?  Your body is just as important.  By finding out certain information from/about your esthetician in advance, you will ensure you receive a higher level of care as well as develop a relationship with someone who can get to know you.

A good esthetician should be able to send you home with a plan to continue caring for your skin after your service has been completed.