ESTHETICIAN PROGRAMS MASSACHUSETTS & MAINE

Please Note: Laser training taught in Massachusetts & Maine Esthetics or Cosmetology programs do not prepare a person to work with lasers under their cosmetology or esthetics license. The esthetics license in the state does not cover laser treatments.

Lasers are evolving quickly and laser treatments are in high demand. That being said, the laser is expensive, the licensing is currently in an underdefined state and the liability and expense is extremely high. In the current environment, many states, including Massachusetts, have specifically forbidden esthetics schools from offering training on lasers and laser hair removal. Schools may provide a demonstration of lasers and laser hair removal, but actual training in lasers and laser hair removal is not approved by the state of Massachusetts.

Laser hair removal and other laser techniques can be practiced by anyone who has been trained in the technique. Some states require the practitioner to be a nurse or doctor while others have no restrictions. For this reason, in many states, anyone who can afford to buy the equipment and pay the liability insurance (which is very high) can do laser hair removal and other procedures.

There are several reasons why people who are interested in doing lasers are also interested in becoming estheticians.

1. The laser training only offers minimal education on skin health other than as it applies to the use of lasers
2. Since the laser introduces a level of distress to the skin, it is important to know how to improve the skin health
3. It creates additional business opportunities for laser technicians if they also offer skin health and make-up skills
4. Additional product sales for esthetics is an important supplement to a laser business
5. Since laser technology changes very quickly, there is a constant need to buy new and better equipment
6. Since anyone who can afford the equipment and training can offer laser treatments (in many states) the competition to attract and retain a clientele becomes very expensive if the only service that is offered is laser treatment
7. Having an esthetics license increases the laser entrepreneurs credibility
8. Since lasers have a high liability due to the invasiveness of the procedures, many state boards are considering regulations that may eliminate the ability to offer laser treatment except for doctors and nurses
9. Having an esthetics practice increases your job security and earnings potential

Future regulations for laser hair removal and other laser procedures are under intense review. It is up to anyone who uses lasers to know the status of the laws in their state. It’s important to know that the laws about lasers could change at any time.

At this time there is no license for Medical esthetics in Massachusetts or Maine. Most other states also do not have a license for medical esthetics. Although there are schools that will advertise that they offer medical esthetics, the actual licensing of medical estheticians are rare. Most schools have been forced to drop the terminology of a medical esthetician.

Most esthetician schools offer some degree of information on working in a clinical setting. However, schools that offer only courses of 300 hours are limited in what they can teach during that time.

CLINICAL ESTHETICIAN TRAINING

Working in a clinical setting often involves working with patients either prior to or following surgery. Our programs focus on this information as well as the overall health of the skin. Healthy skin is by far the most attractive skin and the major focus of our programs.

It is important to remember that only trained medical professionals can perform injections and other invasive procedures. Therefore schools should not be teaching Botox, injections or other highly invasive procedures. Schools are also frequently restricted from teaching laser treatments and other various technologies that may emerge in the future. The Board of Cosmetology is very clear about the scope of practice for estheticians.

As always, it is up to the consumer to be aware of what they are purchasing. Be careful that the schools or programs you are selecting are reputable and accurately reflect the current laws and regulations in their pieces of training. The school business is highly competitive and some schools will exaggerate both what they offer as well as the quality of their training.

The best measure of a school’s success is to ask salons, spas and other employers about which schools give the best training.

Please Note: Botox® and other injection therapies cannot be taught in Aesthetics or Cosmetology programs.

Botox®, Restylane®, and other injection therapies are growing in popularity. As with any new technology, the true test of the results and side effects may take several generations to be fully understood. As has been seen with antibiotics, we are still learning about side effects and problems from administering these wonder drugs too often.

At this time, only medical professionals (MD) or someone working under a medical professional (nurse) are authorized to give injection therapies.

There are several reasons why people who are interested in doing Botox® and other injection therapies are interested in becoming aestheticians.

1. Botox® and injection training only offers minimal education on the use of the injectable product but does not address skin health, pathology, wellness, and care.
2. Since the Botox® introduces a level of distress to the skin, it is important to know how to improve skin health and to educate clients on maintenance.
3. It creates additional business opportunities for Botox® technicians if they also offer skin health and make-up skills   This allows for regular client visits instead of annual client visits.
4. Additional product sales for aesthetics is an important supplement to an injectable therapies business
5. Having an aesthetics license increases the Botox® and Restylane® entrepreneurs credibility
6. Having an aesthetics practice increases your job security and earnings potential

There is nothing more beautiful than healthy, vibrant skin.