Torchora
Back to Home

Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Aesthetician

💰 $30,000 - $65,000

Beauty & WellnessAestheticsSpa & Salon

🎯 Role Definition

An Aesthetician (also spelled Esthetician) is a licensed skincare professional who performs clinical and cosmetic skin treatments, conducts skin analysis and consultations, recommends personalized treatment plans and products, and ensures an elevated client experience. This role blends technical treatment delivery (facials, peels, microdermabrasion, waxing, LED therapy, etc.) with retail sales, client retention strategies, and strict adherence to sanitation and state regulations. The ideal Aesthetician is customer-service oriented, safety-conscious, commercially minded, and continually updates skills with industry best practices and new technologies.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Junior Aesthetician / Spa Assistant
  • Beauty School Graduate / Licensed Esthetician
  • Receptionist or Salon Front Desk with treatment shadowing experience

Advancement To:

  • Senior Aesthetician / Lead Esthetician
  • Clinical Aesthetician or Medical Spa Aesthetician (with additional certifications)
  • Spa Manager or Treatment Manager
  • Aesthetic Trainer / Educator

Lateral Moves:

  • Retail/Brand Specialist or Product Educator
  • Makeup Artist or Brow/Lash Specialist
  • Sales Specialist for professional skincare lines

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Conduct detailed skin consultations and professional skin analyses to identify skin type, conditions, contraindications, and client goals; develop and document customized treatment plans and homecare recommendations to meet short- and long-term objectives.
  • Perform a full range of facial treatments—including deep cleansing facials, enzyme peels, chemical peels (within scope), microdermabrasion, dermaplaning, and dermal-exfoliation techniques—following manufacturer protocols and clinic guidelines to ensure safe, effective results.
  • Administer body and facial waxing, brow shaping, tinting, and other hair removal services with expert technique, thorough patch testing when required, and post-treatment aftercare instructions that minimize adverse reactions.
  • Provide advanced non-invasive therapies such as LED light therapy, microcurrent, lymphatic drainage, and ultrasonic treatments, verifying client suitability and documenting device settings and responses per clinic protocol.
  • Conduct patch testing and pre-treatment assessments for chemical peels, waxing, and treatment packages to identify allergies, sensitivities, or contraindications and to mitigate risks.
  • Create and sell personalized retail skincare regimens using professional-grade products, including explaining active ingredients, usage plans, and expected outcomes to drive product uptake and client compliance.
  • Maintain meticulous client records (electronic or paper), capturing treatment notes, contraindications, allergies, progress photos, consent forms, and follow-up communications in compliance with privacy and regulatory standards.
  • Uphold strict sanitation, sterilization, and infection-control procedures for equipment, linens, and treatment rooms, ensuring a safe environment and full compliance with state licensing board and local health department guidelines.
  • Educate clients on skincare science, treatment timelines, realistic expectations, and preventive lifestyles, positioning yourself as a trusted skincare advisor and improving adherence to prescribed programs.
  • Meet and exceed individual and location sales, retention, and booking targets through consultative service, membership enrollment promotion, and proactive client follow-up.
  • Schedule and manage client appointments, maintain efficient treatment pacing, minimize downtime, and optimize daily service flow while preserving high-quality care and guest experience.
  • Handle pre-appointment intake and post-treatment follow-ups, including telephone or digital communications to confirm upcoming visits, provide pre-care instructions, and check on treatment outcomes to encourage rebooking.
  • Accurately operate point-of-sale (POS) systems for service charges, product sales, gift cards, and package redemptions, reconciling transactions and reporting daily sales as required.
  • Assist in inventory control: track retail and treatment supply levels, place orders, receive shipments, rotate stock, and ensure professional display and merchandising of skincare lines.
  • Train, mentor, and assist junior staff or apprentices in best practices for client care, sanitation, product knowledge, and treatment protocols to maintain consistent quality across the team.
  • Collaborate with medical professionals, dermatologists, or nurse injectors to coordinate pre- and post-procedure skincare plans and referrals when treatments or conditions fall outside esthetic scope of practice.
  • Participate in ongoing professional development by attending manufacturer trainings, industry workshops, and company in-services to remain current on new treatments, technologies, and ingredient science.
  • Develop and implement spa or clinic promotions, seasonal treatment menus, and targeted outreach campaigns (email, social media, in-house events) to grow client lists and revenue.
  • Monitor client satisfaction through follow-up surveys and direct feedback; proactively resolve service issues and escalate clinical concerns or adverse reactions to management according to protocol.
  • Ensure compliance with state licensing requirements, employment regulations, and facility policies; maintain up-to-date certifications (esthetician license, CPR/First Aid if required).
  • Prepare treatment rooms between clients, launder linens or ensure proper linen rotation procedures, and maintain a welcoming, organized treatment environment that reflects brand standards.
  • Evaluate new products and devices in coordination with management; provide feedback on efficacy, client tolerance, and retail potential to inform purchasing decisions and treatment menu updates.
  • Keep accurate treatment time records and contribute to weekly/ monthly reporting for utilization, revenue per service, and product sales metrics to support business goals.

Secondary Functions

  • Support marketing efforts by creating short educational content, participating in photo shoots, and contributing treatment descriptions for websites and booking platforms.
  • Participate in community outreach and local events to represent the brand, offer sample services, or provide mini-consultations that drive awareness and bookings.
  • Assist management with staff scheduling, cross-training coverage, and ad-hoc operational tasks during peak periods or special events.
  • Help maintain health and safety documentation, including incident reports and product safety data sheets (SDS), and support audit readiness.
  • Contribute to development of standard operating procedures (SOPs) for new treatments, ensuring consistent service delivery and scalable training materials.
  • Offer telephone triage for client concerns post-treatment, assessing severity, providing first-line aftercare guidance, and escalating to supervisors or clinical staff when necessary.
  • Collaborate with the front desk team to optimize the client booking experience, recommend appropriate appointment lengths, and advise on best scheduling practices to reduce no-shows.
  • Track and report trends in client requests, frequently observed skin concerns, and top-selling retail products to influence treatment menu and stock decisions.
  • Provide input on visual merchandising and in-room displays to align product education with sales strategies and clinical recommendations.
  • Participate in peer review and treatment outcome reviews to continuously refine techniques, incorporate evidence-based practices, and improve client satisfaction scores.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Licensed Esthetician / Aesthetician qualification in accordance with state board requirements.
  • Proficient skin analysis and differential identification of common skin conditions (acne, rosacea, hyperpigmentation, dehydration, photoaging).
  • Hands-on experience delivering professional facials, chemical peels, microdermabrasion, dermaplaning, and advanced exfoliation techniques.
  • Waxing and brow shaping expertise, including intimate/body waxing standards and post-wax care.
  • Competence with LED therapy, microcurrent, ultrasonic devices, and other non-invasive modalities used in modern spas and medspas.
  • Product knowledge of professional-grade skincare lines (cleansers, serums, retinoids, vitamin C, exfoliants) and ability to build regimen-based retail recommendations.
  • Understanding of contraindications, patch testing, and pre-/post-treatment protocols to safely manage client care.
  • Familiarity with POS systems, electronic client records (EMR/CRM), appointment booking software, and digital payment reconciliation.
  • Inventory management and stock control skills for retail and back-bar supplies.
  • Ability to document clinical notes, treatment plans, and consent forms clearly and compliantly.
  • Basic business acumen: meeting sales targets, promoting memberships/packages, and executing upsell strategies without compromising client trust.
  • Knowledge of sanitation, OSHA/local health department guidelines, and proper instrument sterilization methods.

Soft Skills

  • Exceptional client communication and active listening skills to build rapport, gather relevant history, and convey treatment plans in accessible language.
  • Sales-oriented mindset combined with consultative, ethical product and service recommendations.
  • Empathy and sensitivity when working with clients who have visible skin concerns or post-procedure needs.
  • Time management and organizational skills to maintain schedule adherence and room turnover efficiency.
  • Attention to detail for precise treatment delivery, accurate recordkeeping, and adherence to safety protocols.
  • Professional demeanor and strong personal grooming standards that reflect brand image.
  • Problem-solving and situational judgment to manage adverse reactions, no-shows, or client dissatisfaction.
  • Team collaboration and willingness to train, learn from, and support colleagues.
  • Adaptability to integrate new technologies, evolving treatment protocols, and product innovations.
  • Confidentiality and discretion when handling client medical histories and personal information.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • High school diploma or equivalent plus a current, active state Esthetician/Aesthetician license and completion of an accredited esthetics program.

Preferred Education:

  • Associate degree or additional certifications in skincare science, cosmetic chemistry, or related fields; manufacturer/device certifications (chemical peel, microdermabrasion, LED, microcurrent).

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Esthetics / Aesthetics
  • Cosmetology
  • Dermatology allied training or skin science
  • Beauty Therapy / Spa Management

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • 1–4 years of hands-on esthetician experience in a spa, salon, or medical spa environment.

Preferred:

  • 3–6 years of progressive experience with a demonstrated track record of treatment excellence, client retention, and retail sales performance; experience in medspa settings or with advanced device-based modalities is highly desirable.
Explore More Careers