With a population of over 23 million, according to the US Census Bureau*, Florida’s beauty industry is vastly flourishing. A major segment of this industry falls under esthetics, and as the state’s population continues to remain large, the demand for these services continues. Among many different branches of esthetics, medical esthetics is thriving due to clients increasing desire to address cosmetic and dermatological concerns.
What is a Paramedical Esthetician?
A paramedical esthetician plays a significant role within the medical field. They assist dermatologists and other healthcare professionals with the treatments of patients. These patients often require care for conditions such as severe burns, reconstructive or cosmetic surgery, treating skin conditions like acne or psoriasis, and anti-aging procedures.
In contrast, a traditional esthetician primarily focuses on enhancing the appearance and health of skin by offering services such as facials, waxing, chemical peels, body treatments and makeup applications.
Benefits to Becoming a Paramedical Esthetician
As a paramedical esthetician, you will be able to grow into a highly rewarding career with a variety of key advantages:
Specialized Knowledge, Training, and Skillsets: As a paramedical esthetician, you will have advanced knowledge, training, and skills that will set you apart from a traditional esthetician. This expertise enables you to provide more targeted and impactful treatments.
Building Confidence in Others: Medical estheticians play a critical role in helping individuals gain their confidence again. Often, they will work with patients who have serious skin conditions such as scaring from surgeries or trauma. The ability to make a unique positive impact on someone’s self-esteem through their appearance can be incredibly fulfilling as a medical esthetician.
Ongoing Learning & Development: The paramedical esthetician field is constantly evolving as new treatments, technologies, and industry trends change. This dynamic environment offers endless opportunities for you to expand your knowledge, refine your skills, and adapt to the latest industry trends, paving the way for long-term career growth.
Flexible Work Settings: A key feature of a career as a medical esthetician is the ability to work in a variety of settings. Whether you’re working in medical spas, salons, medical offices, or hospitals, you can have the flexibility to select your preferred work environment that aligns with your personal goals and interests.
Career & Financial Growth: As demand for specialized skincare services continues to rise, medical estheticians are highly sought after, especially for post-surgery treatments and medical procedures. Due to their advanced training and skillsets, paramedical estheticians can often charge higher rates than a traditional esthetician. Additionally, by having the ability to work in a medical office or clinic setting can lead to higher compensation.
Daily Role Responsibilities
As a medical esthetician, no two days will ever be identical, and you will face new challenges that you will get to solve. However, there will be consistency with the core tasks you perform each day, from providing specialized treatments to conducting consultations, offering a balanced mix of variety and routine. Some of the key daily responsibilities include:
Consultations with Clients: As a paramedical esthetician, you will meet with your clients to conduct an initial assessment to understand their concerns, medical history, and goals. This helps you provide them with a personalized treatment plan based on their needs and desires.
Tracking Client’s Progress: Throughout working with clients, medical estheticians will evaluate their progress to determine if any adjustments to treatment plans are necessary to ensure optimal results.
Provide Product Recommendations: As clients receive treatment, they may need product recommendations to support their ongoing skincare journey. As a medical esthetician, you might recommend moisturizers, sunscreens, or other skin specialty items to enhance their results and maintain skin health.
Maintenance of Client Records: When meeting with each client, you will want to keep a detailed and up-to-date record that includes treatments performed, products utilized, and any special care instructions. This is pivotal to track progress over time and to provide continuity of care.
Skillsets of a Paramedical Esthetician
Within the medical esthetician field, you will be equipped with a variety of different skillsets and knowledge. These are often taught through a paramedical esthetician program, and can include the following:
- Permanent hair removal
- Utilization of lasers
- Physiology
- Therapeutic applications
- Diagnosis
- Microdermabrasion
- Chemical peels
- Makeup
- Thermolysis including multiple galvanic and blend approaches
How to Become a Paramedical Esthetician in Florida
If you’re interested in becoming a medical esthetician in Florida, you will have to complete the following steps to be fully licensed.
Step 1: Meet the General Requirements
- Any individual who is seeking to become a licensed esthetician must be at least 16 years old or have a high school diploma and a valid Social Security number
Step 2: Education Requirements
- Complete a total of at least 220 educational hours, which can be obtained through a state-certified esthetician program.
- Medical esthetician programs can vary in length depending on the program you select. For example, you could select a 20-week hands-on paramedical esthetician program that will provide you with over 600 hours of theory and practical application covering basic to advanced levels of paramedical esthetics training.
- A certificate of course completion will be required when submitting your application
- Complete a board-approved HIV/AIDS course that is at least four hours and taken within two years prior to submitting your application
- A certificate of completion for this course will be required when submitting your application
Step 3: Pass Florida’s Esthetician License Examination
Once your application for examination has been approved, you will be contacted to schedule your test through Pearson VUE.
Step 4: Submit Your Application & Pay the Fee
- You must submit a completed application which includes the following:
- Provide certificates of completion for your education course of at least 220 hours and HIV/AIDS course
- Complete the background check, including providing an explanation for any response that you indicate yes to
- A signed affirmation of a written declaration of your application
- Pay the $55 application fee via credit card or electronic check
Step 5: Receiving Your Esthetician License
After passing your exam, submitting your completed application with fee, and passing the background check, you will receive your valid Florida esthetician license. The license is valid for two years.
Step 6: Renew Your License
Florida’s regulatory requirements require any individual who holds an esthetician license to complete ten hours of continuing education courses prior to licensing expiring on or before October 31 every other year.
Are you ready to become a medical esthetician in Florida?
Start today and begin your path toward a rewarding professional career as a medical esthetician. Each person’s path will be unique, but with the right medical esthetician program in Florida, you can make your dreams of being a medical esthetician a reality. By stepping out of your comfort zone and exploring the field of medical esthetics, you’re positioning yourself to elevate your career and unlock doors to endless possibilities.