What is the Difference Between Aesthetician and Esthetician?

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The main difference between an aesthetician and an esthetician lies in the nature of their work and the procedures they perform. Both are skincare professionals, but their focus and training differ significantly:

  • Aesthetician: Aestheticians perform medical skincare procedures and typically work in medspas, health clinics, doctors' offices, trauma, burn, and rehabilitation centers. They are trained to treat various skin conditions and help with skin trauma and aging. Their work often involves medical treatments and procedures.
  • Esthetician: Estheticians, sometimes referred to as skin therapists, focus on cosmetic treatments and work primarily in salons and spas. They perform services like skin treatments, facials, makeup application, and some hair removal. Their work is centered on overall skin health, preventative maintenance, and facial rejuvenation.

Both aestheticians and estheticians must be licensed, which requires completing appropriate schooling and training programs. While their titles may sound similar, their day-to-day responsibilities and the training required for each role are quite different.

Comparative Table: Aesthetician vs Esthetician

The main difference between an aesthetician and an esthetician lies in the types of procedures they perform and their level of education. Here is a table outlining the differences:

Aesthetician Esthetician
Performs medical skin procedures Performs cosmetic and cleaning procedures
Requires specialized education May not require specialized education

An aesthetician is a person who performs medical skin procedures, while an esthetician focuses on cosmetic and cleaning procedures. Aestheticians typically require specialized education, as they are involved in more invasive and medical treatments. In contrast, estheticians may not need specialized education, as their responsibilities are often limited to facials, hair and skin care, aromatherapy, and makeup.