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Choosing a career in skincare and beauty can be exciting and rewarding. But before you get started, it's important to understand the difference between an esthetician and a medical esthetician. While these roles share some similarities, they also differ in training, work settings, and the types of treatments performed.

Whether you're passionate about spa treatments or drawn to advanced skin therapies in clinical environments, knowing your options helps you make the right move for your future. This blog contains important information about both careers and roles. 

What Is an Esthetician?

To start with, what is an esthetician? Or rather, who is an esthetician? Estheticians are licensed professionals who specialize in non-invasive skincare treatments. They typically work in spas, salons, or wellness centers, offering services such as:

• Facials and peels
• Waxing and hair removal
• Basic exfoliation and cleansing
• Makeup application
• Skin assessments and home-care product recommendations

Estheticians focus on enhancing the skin’s appearance and helping clients feel confident through customized treatments and relaxation-based services. While their work is hands-on and personal, it’s limited to the surface of the skin.

A medical esthetician works in more advanced, medically supervised settings

What Is a Medical Esthetician?

Now, what is a medical esthetician? A medical esthetician works in more advanced, medically supervised settings, like dermatology clinics, plastic surgery centers, or medical spas. These professionals often collaborate with physicians to support pre- and post-treatment care.

So, what does a medical esthetician do? Here are some of their key responsibilities:

• Laser hair removal and skin resurfacing
• Microdermabrasion and advanced chemical peels
• Pre- and post-surgical skin treatments
• Assisting with medical-grade product application
• Treating skin conditions like acne, rosacea, and hyperpigmentation under medical guidance

Medical estheticians require deeper technical knowledge and training to safely use specialized tools and technologies in clinical environments.

Inside the ACA Experience

“The Medical Esthetician Diploma Program at Algonquin Careers Academy is designed to equip students with both theoretical knowledge and hands-on, real-world experience in just 66 weeks. This includes a valuable 4-week placement where students can apply everything they have learned and gain practical work experience,” explains Yazmin Duque, Medical Esthetician Instructor. 

At ACA, it’s not just about acquiring skills. You will leave feeling confident and ready to thrive in the field of medical esthetics. This hands-on, supportive training model helps prepare students for success in real-world medical and spa environments.

Medical estheticians complete more in-depth instruction

Key Differences Between Estheticians and Medical Estheticians

While both roles aim to improve the skin’s health and appearance, their differences boil down to three main factors:

1. Level of Training

Estheticians receive general skincare training focused on cosmetic treatments. Medical estheticians, however, complete more in-depth instruction covering anatomy, skin pathology, and clinical procedures, often as part of a dedicated medical esthetician training program.

2. Work Environments

Estheticians often work in spas, salons, and wellness centers. Medical estheticians operate in more regulated, clinical environments, including cosmetic surgery offices and dermatology clinics.

3. Services Provided

Estheticians provide relaxing, surface-level treatments. Medical estheticians deliver more technical procedures, frequently using advanced equipment under medical supervision.

Which Path Is Right for You?

If your passion lies in helping others feel relaxed and refreshed, esthetics might be the perfect fit. But if you're interested in combining skincare with science, and you want to work in a more medical setting, becoming a medical esthetician may be the better choice.

At Algonquin Careers Academy, our comprehensive medical esthetician training prepares you for the advanced procedures, equipment, and client care expectations that come with working in the clinical side of esthetics.

You'll learn the technical knowledge and interpersonal skills needed to succeed in a growing, in-demand field, equipping you for work in everything from dermatology clinics to high-end medi-spas.

Are you looking for comprehensive Medical Esthetician training? 

Contact ACA for more information.