Estheticians, Electrologists, and Related Workers

Nature of work

These workers provide facial and body treatments designed to enhance an individual's physical appearance. They are employed in beauty salons, electrolysis studios, scalp treatment and hair replacement clinics and other similar establishments and in cosmetic departments of retail establishments such as pharmacies and department stores, or they may be self-employed.

Job duties

The following is a summary of main duties for some jobs in this group:

• Estheticians give facial and other body treatments using specialized products and techniques.
• Cosmeticians advise customers on the use of make-up and other beauty products and apply make-up to customers; may specialize in applying makeup to models or other individuals for special occasions.
• Electrologists remove unwanted hair permanently from client's face or body using needle only specialized electrical hair removal equipment, laser and other equipment.
• Manicurists and pedicurists clean, shape, and polish fingernails and toenails and provide related treatments.
• Scalp treatment specialists apply medicated lotions to treat scalp conditions and hair loss.
• Tattoo artists apply permanent designs to customer's skin, using electric needles and chemical dyes; may also apply temporary designs to customer's skin.
• Hair replacement technicians (non-medical) prepare and apply custom-made hair pieces to customer's scalp, weave customer's hair to hair pieces and provide scalp treatments.

Sample job titles

• beauty care specialist
• cosmetologist
• electrolysis technician
• esthetician
• hair removal specialist
• manicurist
• nail care technician
• skin care consultant
• skin care specialist
• tattoo artist

Skills

For this work, you must have good manual dexterity, imagination, and creativity. Good communication, organization, and interpersonal skills are definite assets. You should be tactful, patient, and able to follow directions closely. You must be in good health. Business skills are a definite asset.

Job requirements

• Completion of high school, college or beauty school programs for cosmeticians, estheticians, electrologists, manicurists and pedicurists is required or on-the-job training is provided.
• Electrologists usually require certification from an electrologist's educational or training institution.
• Membership in a provincial or national electrolysis association may be required.
• Completion of a registered dermal therapy program may be required to provide electrology laser and vascular treatments.
• Estheticians usually require certification from an esthetician's educational or training institution.
• A business licence is required for workers in this group who are owners/operators of businesses offering these services.
• Practitioners offering these personal services are required to adhere to infection control procedures.

Other considerations

Self-employment is common for these jobs. Earnings for people in these jobs are often supplemented by tips or gratuities. Therefore, an individual's income will likely depend upon their ability to attract and maintain a group of clients. This work usually occurs in clean, pleasant surroundings with good lighting and comfortable temperatures. The work can be tiring and physically demanding. Workers must be on their feet for long periods of time. This work is often carried out during evenings and weekends, when spas are busiest. There is little or no mobility among the different jobs in this group without additional specialized training.

Tattoo artists and body piercers and modifiers are also included in this group, and most apprentice to learn the trade. However, there are very few regulations or guidelines for these jobs in the province and the apprenticeship process is informal.

Regulations

Contacts

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