It’s an amazing thing when a career and passion come together! Here, we provide a brief description of different occupations in the beauty industry.
Remember, Beauty Professionals almost always work weekends! That is one thing in this industry that stays the same. All occupations should also expect to put in some evening shifts as these are usually the most popular appointment times.
Full time school is useful for learning all aspects of the industry, however, it is up to the employer to determine their hiring standard.
Specialized courses are available as a alternate way to join the industry and take training specific to your career goals.
Entry level estheticians usually start with Waxing and Manicures and Pedicures- 2 staple services in spas.
LASH TECHNICIAN
Lash Techs are not regulated in Alberta. Spas dedicated to Lash extensions is common industry-practice. These spas offer all types of Lash Extension services.
Courses range from weekend (2-3 days) to several weeks.
Certification enables you to buy product from specific distributors.
NAIL TECHNICIAN
In Alberta, this is an unregulated occupation. Spas dedicated to Nail services is common industry-practice. These spas offer manicures and pedicures and potentially a range in specialties (gel, acrylic, specialty nail art). Courses range from weekend (2-3 days) to several weeks.
Certification is required to purchase product from suppliers.
MEDICAL ESTHETICIAN
Medical Esthetics is an extension of esthetics. A medical esthetician should know all the basics of esthetics, especially skincare.
Because this is an unregulated occupation in Alberta, IPL and Laser equipment manufacturers offer short training courses when you purchase equipment, however, best practice is to have an esthetics background in order to understand the complexities of both, the equipment and the human body, and how these will intertwine when you administer a treatment.
MASSAGE THERAPIST
Unlike other provinces, Massage Therapy is a self-regulated industry in Alberta, meaning that Alberta has not regulated Massage Therapy and therefore schools are not required by law to include standard practices in their curriculums.
It is professional associations that dictate the future of massage therapy in Alberta for now, and currently, they are stating 2200 hours is the requirement for insurance billing. Courses range from 6 months to 20 months.
MAKEUP ARTIST
This occupation is not regulated in Alberta.
Freelance Makeup Artists are common in the Beauty industry. Classes range from a few days to several weeks. Online certification is available.
INSTRUCTOR
Instructors can teach in a school or for a product line. Experience in the industry is key. Licensing may be necessary. Ability to publicly speak and communicate knowledge to small or large groups is essential.
SALON/ SPA TECH
Responsible for the day-to-day functions in the salon/spa. Ability to anticipate needs is an asset. Cleanliness and organization are crucial to this position.
Salon assistants can bridge into a Hairstyling Apprenticeship program.
SALON/SPA MANAGER
No certification is required, although having a occupational skill is an asset. Good leadership, organizational, and communication skills are required May be responsible for payroll. Responsible for dealing with dissatisfied clients.
RETAILER
This occupation is not based on personal care and therefore is not regulated. Specific education not necessary, however, in-depth knowledge about products an asset and necessary.
Ability to communicate information and merchandising knowledge are assets. Must be willing to meet targets/goals.
Your career route is flexible, there are Esthetics schools in Edmonton that offer full time programs or module courses. Choosing a Full time Esthetics program will help you be well rounded Service Provider. Completing module courses can help you achieve your career goals as time and funds permit. Here are a few examples of what you can do with your beauty career:
Where Can Your Esthetics Career Take You?
Esthetician, Medical Esthetician, Make-Up Artist, Skin Care Specialist, Lash Technician, Nail Technician…these are just a few of examples of where a beauty career can take you.
In today’s fast paced world with ever changing trends and constant growth of the beauty industry, this is a career that will always be in demand. An Esthetics career offers versatility as a person and as an artist, and gives you the choice to pick your area of expertise.
Esthetician
Estheticians offer a wide variety of services including facials, manicures, pedicures, waxing, body treatments and relaxation massage. Schooling to be an esthetician can be completed in under 1 year and gives you the fundamentals of your future career including theory and practical components. This is your core foundation to build upon and gives you the knowledge and experience to begin your future.
You can choose to work in a spa or open your own business whether it be from home or renting space in an existing establishment.
Medical Esthetician
Medical estheticians have chosen to build upon their core studies as an esthetician and specialize in treatments such as laser hair removal, skin rejuvenation, microdermabrasion, advanced skin care and chemical peels. Advanced training can be obtained from Esthetics schools in Edmonton or you can be trained privately by your employer.
Your place of work can include medispas or a doctor/ dermatologist office.
Makeup Artist
Your beauty career as a makeup artist can prove to be the most versatile of them all. This is a great skill to have in addition to your esthetics certification or on its own. You can work as a freelance artist doing weddings and photoshoots, you can offer makeup services at a spa/ salon or work for a retail brand or company. You can also combine all of these options together to become a well-rounded artist and keep up on the latest trends (not to mention keep your kit stocked).
Some Esthetics schools in Edmonton offer advance training in Makeup Artistry focusing on television, film, high fashion, and creative makeup.
Other areas of expertise
These areas of expertise are specialized and can be added to your repertoire at any time during your career. Whether you are an esthetician looking to advance your education and service offerings or just wanting to learn and focus on one skill, these services are in demand and always on trend. Some of the most popular examples of specialized skills are nail technician, lash technician, microblading, dermaplaning and cosmetic tattooing.
These skills help you to stand out professionally as well as personally and give you the opportunity for optimum growth. These skills look great on a resume and help to make you highly employable and in demand.
Start Your Beauty Career Today!
What’s not to love about having a beauty career with so many avenues of growth?! The ability to customize and focus on the services that interest you and build on your strengths is empowering, the opportunity for advanced growth and education is endless. The beauty industry is one that will always be growing, always in style, and will always provide you with the opportunity to make a living loving what you do.
Talk to Executive Spa Group about esthetics schools in Edmonton, other training options, paying for your education, plus more!
Beautiful Futures is an 8 week beauty industry employment program. The part time program trains participants in technical and employment skills, and provides work experience opportunities to participants that are keen on joining Alberta’s beauty industry.
So you want to work with botox injections and fillers…
The popularity of cosmetic injections continues to grow immensely. The social media buzz over the treatments have helped them to become some of the most in demand treatments offered at dermatologist offices and medispas.
First let’s take a look at these treatments and some of amazing things they can do:
BOTOX and DYSPORT
These are the two most widely used products that are erasing lines and wrinkles around the world. Prior to 2009 BOTOX® was the industry-leading injectable and go-to choice for establishments offering injections. Dysport launched in the summer of 2009 and has since been in direct competition with BOTOX. DYSPORT has surprisingly enough been holding it’s own and has become a serious contender in the battle against aging.
These products both work by temporarily relaxing the muscles responsible for causing expression lines. The effect generally last anywhere from 3-6 months.
Let’s take a look at some facts:
BOTOX® Cosmetic is a trademarked product manufactured by a pharmaceutical company, Allergan Inc. Anyone who offers botox injections in their medispa is a consumer of this product, and the client in turn, is a consumer of the medispa.
Allergan is the biggest manufacturer of onabotulinumtoxinA (Botox).
Both of these companies also manufacture a wide variety of drugs including filler injectables.
FILLERS
Volume, volume, volume- this is what fillers do.
The most popular fillers have an immediate plumping effect and are comprised of hyaluronic acid, a natural occurring sugar protein found in the skin.
Lips, cheeks and nasal labial folds are a few of the most common areas that are injected. Results are immediate and depending on the brand can last anywhere from 6 months to 1.5 years.
There are many different brands to choose from and with the treatments becoming so in demand, the variety continues to grow. Fillers plump the skin from the inside out and vary in molecular size which means some are specifically designed to treat certain areas. Fillers are also a wonderful treatment for deep, indented acne scarring.
Some of the most popular choices for filler are:
Restylane and Perlane which are manufactured by Ispen Pharmaceuticals.
Juvederm, Juvederm Volbella and Juvederm VOLIFT which are manufactured by Allergan.
Teosyal is another popular brand which offers a variety of different fillers to choose from depending on the area being injected including TEOXANE, REDENSITY and KISS.
These are a few of the most known and used plumping agents available although currently there are over 30 approved filler products approved by Health Canada.
Who regulates Allergan’s products, specifically, botox/filler injections, in Canada?
Health Canada is the ministry responsible for ensuring every drug prescribed to Canadians performs its purpose safely.
By following the Food and Drugs Act and its associated cosmetic regulations, Health Canada regulates the safety, efficacy and quality of drugs and medical devices, including injections and fillers.
Health Canada conducts post market surveillance on all marketed health products.
Health Canada also monitors research on interactions between drugs, medical devices, natural health, and food products, and communicates information to health professionals and consumers about the risk of potential interactions.
Manufacturers are required to provide Health Canada with reports of serious adverse reactions for health products they sell in Canada. Consumers and health professionals are also encouraged to report adverse reactions.
FYI
Clients who choose to receive BOTOX or DYSPORT injections must see an authorized doctor annually for a check up to ensure they are a candidate for treatment.
Contact Executive Spa Group to add information.
Carying your business card is always a good idea for marketing yourself. For example, if someone compliments your nails, as a Nail Technician you can say, “I did them!” as you give them your business card, and there- you just got yourself a new client, who might get you another 2 clients, and so on.
Always keep your conversations positive when you meet new people. A good service provider makes the service all about the client.
Social Media Pages
Create a professional social media page. The platform choices are endless! For example, a professional Instagram page is a perfect portfolio as you post before and after pictures of your work. It requires pictures only, so you do not have to worry about writing anything. Give yourself an easy user name for people to remember. Remember, the beauty industry is visual, people will judge your work based on what they see.
Word of Mouth is a slow and steady climb for marketing yourself. However, it results in the strongest foundation possible for your business. Here are example of things your clients might judge:
