August 2024, Q & A

An Esty’s First Year Journey

August 1, 2024 | by LNE Magazine

This month, Sofia shares her experiences with esthetics education.

How did you go about choosing your esthetics program?

When choosing an esthetician program, I looked into multiple schools before I made a decision. Since I was paying for a school out of pocket and I was only 19 at the time, cost was one of the biggest deciding factors. While there were programs I researched that were cheaper, they didn’t have as many practical hours and they didn’t have great reviews. The school I chose was more costly but I heard nothing but amazing reviews, they had over 300 practical hours and the professor was absolutely amazing.

“Exploring educational opportunities is helpful because not only does it keep your mind fresh
with information, it also helps expand connections. Those connections can be utilized in the future to help build your business.”

What factors should aspiring estheticians look for in programs and courses?

I say look for these top three factors. One, how many practical hours you’ll receive. Practical hours is when you actually practice and work with clients or your peers doing services. Yes, the theory class is important because you learn the scientific and anatomical process of skincare, but in order to feel confident in your abilities, practical hours are a must. Factor two is the cost. Especially for younger estheticians who have a hard time receiving financial aid, I would definitely look into the cost and if it’s within your budget. Lastly, make sure you speak to alumni or current students to get a feel for how things work. Make sure it’s a positive environment and that people speak highly of the program itself.

What did you find to be the most beneficial part of an esthetics education?

The most beneficial part of an esthetics education was the practical hours. While I enjoyed my theory classes and they taught me the scientific portion of esthetics, the practical hours helped me become more confident in my abilities. While working, I also felt I retained more of the information I was taught because I was putting it into practice. I am also more of a hands on learner, so it just helped with my comprehension.

Once you decide on an esthetics career, why is exploring educational opportunities helpful?

Exploring educational opportunities is helpful because not only does it keep your mind fresh with information, it also helps expand connections. Those connections can be utilized in the future to help build your business.

What is the value in continuing education (i.e. seminars, online courses, trade shows, workshops) once someone has launched their career?

Once you get your license, every two years or so you have to renew it via continuing education courses. These courses are beneficial as they allow you to keep up with any changes in esthetics and keep your mind refreshed with information, in case there’s a portion that you might have forgotten. Going to trade shows also allows you to meet fellow estheticians and see the developments in skincare. Of course, with technological advancements, skincare is always changing, so by allowing yourself to continue your education, you can keep up with any new devices or treatments.