What Is the Difference Between an Esthetician and a Cosmetologist?

Often when looking for a career in the beauty industry, people look into cosmetology and esthetician programs but aren’t exactly sure what they entitle and which is best suited for them professionally. Read this guide to understand both career options and learn which type of program would be best for your long-term goals.

What Does an Esthetician Do?

Estheticians are state-licensed skincare professionals that focus on the health and treatment of the skin foremost. There is a wide variety of services that an esthetician can provide, but these generally include external skin beautification treatments, hair removal, and advisement for healthy skin. Esthetician students learn how to perform services like waxes, facials, chemical peels, microdermabrasion, and other cosmetic procedures. Ultimately, estheticians love to promote healthy skin and learn how to help people achieve their skincare goals. They also use their expertise to help treat skin conditions like acne and eczema.

Esthetician Career Options and College Programs

Estheticians have many different career options to explore, from working in a spa to running their own skincare business. Some estheticians will focus on providing an array of general services, while some will develop one area of esthetics, such as opening a studio for hair removal procedures. Others decide to work with product design within the corporate skincare marketplace or even create and sell their own skincare or cosmetic line.

To get there, an aspiring esthetician will have to receive an education in esthetics from an accredited institution. These programs will not only give you all of the hands-on experience that you need, but they will fulfill the required hours to apply for an esthetician license.

These programs are generally between 600 and 750 hours to complete. Different class schedules are available for greater flexibility. Schools like PJ’s College of Cosmetology have a course in esthetician training that will guarantee you the clinic hours you need.

What Does a Cosmetologist Do?

Cosmetologists are professionals that specialize in the beautification process of our hair, skin, and face. This typically includes providing services relating to hair cutting, styling, and coloring, along with make-up and skincare services. Cosmetologists can perform haircuts, coloring, styling, perming, relaxing, braiding, extensions, repair treatments, and much more. They also provide some level of skincare services and professional event makeup applications.

Cosmetology Career Options and College Programs

The potential for a cosmetology student is basically limitless. Most cosmetologists will focus on an area of expertise, whether that be haircare or becoming a makeup artist. Some professionals work solo or own their own salons, while others prefer to work in salons already established with recognition and existing clientele. Other professionals decide to work behind the scenes in television, the fashion industry, or in the corporate marketplace for hair and makeup products.

Most states have accredited cosmetology colleges that can get you the training you need, even with some financial assistance. These institutions usually require a high school degree or equivalent to enroll. Research the course framework and timeframes that work best for you. Many schools offer both full-time and part-time courses. This can be anywhere from 1,000 to 2,000+ hours of training.

PJ’s College of Cosmetology in Indiana and Kentucky offers a cosmetology course with 1,500 hours of training, classroom theory, and hands-on experience.

Which Program Is Right for Me?

Ultimately, the program that is right for you will boil down to your interests and the number of hours you are willing to complete. If you live and breathe skincare, esthetician training will likely be the program that you need to reach your professional goals. On the other hand, if you are interested in becoming a hairstylist, cosmetology is the better fit for reaching the licensure requirements and gaining the proper hair training. It is also important to keep the timeframe of each program in mind. A cosmetology course tends to be a more intensive and all-encompassing program for beauty services, but it typically requires more hours than an esthetician course. On the other hand, an esthetician course will focus on skincare at a more extensive level. Whichever course you decide to go with, both can ensure a long and fulfilling career in the beauty industry.

If you are interested in esthetics or cosmetology, colleges like PJ’s College of Cosmetology offer programs in both. Enrollment advisors are available to help you decide which course will best work for your goals and lifestyle. Connect with us online or call today at 800-62-SALON (72566) to get your career started.