What Is a Medical Aesthetician?

Wondering what a medical aesthetician could do for your skin, or considering training for a career in the field? Today, our team at ClaraDerma+  explores the differences between traditional and medical aestheticians and the services they provide.

Traditional vs Medical Aesthetician Training & Certification

Here's a basic outline of how aesthetician training breaks down

• Traditional estheticians are skincare professionals trained in providing a range of non-medical treatments to enhance the look, feel and health of skin.
• Medical aestheticians undergo more extensive training in skincare and body treatments. This advanced training equips medical aestheticians with a unique combination of beauty treatment skills and medical knowledge, allowing them to bridge the gap between the services offered at standard spas and care from a qualified medical professional.

While it's easy to say that medical aestheticians undergo more advanced training, how is that training reflected in the services they offer? What services do medical aestheticians typically provide, and how do they compare to those provided by traditional estheticians? Let's take a look.

Traditional Esthetician Procedures & Treatments

The services offered by traditional estheticians include a range of beauty treatments such as:

Medical Aesthetician Procedures & Treatments

Medical aestheticians are trained professionals specializing in more advanced skincare and body treatments targeting deeper skin concerns, including:

Medical Aesthetician Procedures & Treatments

Depending on where they work, medical aestheticians may also be involved in taking medical histories from dermatological patients and providing them with detailed instructions for pre- and post-surgical care.

In Canada, injectable treatments using products such as BOTOX® and fillers are administered by healthcare professionals (nurses, doctors and dentists) who have been trained in the use of these products, not medical aestheticians. At ClaraDerma+ we have an aesthetic nurse available to perform these treatments by appointment.

What is the treatment process with a medical aesthetician like?

Now that we have taken a look at the differences between the services provided by traditional estheticians and medical aestheticians, let's look a little closer at what makes medical aestheticians so special and the unique role they play in delivering advanced skincare solutions.

Collaborative Care Through Medical Partnerships

Medical aestheticians often work alongside dermatologists, plastic surgeons, and other medical professionals, caring for patients with more complex skin conditions. They may administer chemical peels, microdermabrasion, laser therapy, or potent acids to treat issues such as skin traumas and signs of aging, helping to heal and rejuvenate the skin's appearance. This collaborative approach to skin treatment, takes the pressure off of specialists and prioritizes both the health and beauty aspects of each procedure. 

Clinical Consultations

In some settings, you may encounter medical aestheticians as part of an in-depth dermatological consultation. With their advanced training and expertise, medical aestheticians are able to sit down with clients and pinpoint potential hereditary, medical and lifestyle factors that may come into play when it comes to the appearance and health of their skin - looking beyond the surface to consider the many possible causes of their issue and determine the safest and most effective treatments.

Medical Grade Skincare Products

While medical aestheticians are not able to prescribe medical-grade skincare products, they are often able to recommend suitable treatments and provide in-depth information. This allows patients to have an informed conversations with their GP or dermatologist about potential treatment benefits and drawbacks. Often medical aestheticians learn about new products and treatments before doctors have had an opportunity to really look into them and discover their benefits. That said, your medical aesthetician is not a medical doctor. Always follow the guidance of your general practitioner or dermatologist when considering new treatments.

Advanced Skincare Products & Treatments

Many high-end products, not available in stores, may be available for purchase exclusively from medical aestheticians. These products may provide superior results or contain fewer additives and stronger formulations than products sold in stores. That said, it is important to remember that medical aestheticians are not able to provide prescription strength skin treatments. They can, however, provide a wide range of advanced treatments, including microdermabrasion, chemical peels, and laser therapy. 

Where do medical aestheticians work?

While traditional estheticians generally work in spas and salons, medical aestheticians are often found in medical offices, collaborating with dermatologists and other medical professionals to complement medical treatments.

Places you may find medical aestheticians include:

• Medical spas that offer clients advanced facials, laser treatments, and other procedures under the supervision of licensed healthcare professionals.
• Cosmetic surgery clinics may offer non-surgical treatments from a medical aesthetician to enhance skin appearance and complement surgical procedures.
• Dermatology clinics where they may assist dermatologists in treating patients and performing procedures such as laser treatments, chemical peels or microdermabrasion.
• Wellness centres, hair loss clinics and health centres may offer services provided by medical aestheticians to help improve overall health and well-being or to promote hair growth:
• Plastic surgery offices where they may assist with pre-and post-operative care. Medical aestheticians can play a vital role in helping patients prepare for procedures and heal well afterwards.
• Hospitals may have medical aestheticians available to assist in burn units or other areas, helping to provide skincare and wound care to patients.

Should you make the move to a rewarding career as a medical aesthetician?

If you have a passion for skincare, beauty, and making people feel confident, training to become a medical aesthetician could be an exciting first step to a fulfilling new career! 

Medical aesthetics is a fast-growing field with high demand, and a wide range of career paths to follow. Whether in med spas, dermatology clinics, or plastic surgery offices, you’ll get hands-on experience with cutting-edge treatments such as laser therapy, chemical peels, and microneedling while continually expanding your skills and knowledge to include the newest treatments and technologies. 

Blending science with artistry and compassion, each day you will experience the satisfaction of helping your clients achieve healthy, glowing skin and newfound confidence.