Medical Aestheticians-Paramedical Aestheticians

Aestheticians are licensed skincare specialists. They treat facial skin to maintain and improve its appearance. Medical aestheticians, also called paramedical aestheticians, work with patients whose skin or appearance is affected by trauma or medical procedure, such as surgery. They work with burn victims and provide skincare services to radiation patients.
There is a need for medical aestheticians in cancer treatment because radiation sometimes causes skin irritation. In the basics of skincare and makeup application, Medical aestheticians’s job is similar to that of most other aestheticians. But helping patients apply makeup after medical treatment presents special challenges. For example, chemotherapy patients must learn how to measure their natural browline so that they can draw eyebrows to replace the ones lost to treatment. And hair that has fallen out sometimes grows back in a different color, affecting the choices for makeup colors that patients might consider.

Medical aestheticians’ jobs vary, depending on where they work. They often work for licensed healthcare providers, including offices of plastic surgeons and dermatologists. Duties of those who work in offices of plastic surgeons, for example, include providing pre- and postoperative skincare treatment. Medical aestheticians under the supervision of a dermatologist may perform exfoliation or other procedures. Those who work in burn units might teach burn-recovery patients how to apply makeup to conceal their injuries.
Training, licensing, certification, and continuing-education requirements for aestheticians differ by State. Aestheticians complete a program in skincare at an approved school, usually one that is regulated by the State’s board of cosmetology. Program quality varies, so each student should investigate schools’ curriculums. Most aesthetician training is general; specialties may require additional education or on-the-job training. Medical specialization for aestheticians often is defined by selfdirection.