What Is Esthetician School and Is It the Right Choice for You?

Careers in the beauty industry have piqued your interest and you’ve started to research what’s possible, only to stumble upon an entire world of curriculums, specialties, sub-specialties, and a whole bunch of words you maybe haven’t heard before, or aren’t quite sure what they mean. When our students look for careers in cosmetology, they are sometimes surprised to find that what they’re really interested in is esthetics. So, what is esthetician school? And how do you know if it’s the right path for you? Let’s dive a little deeper.

What Does Esthetician School Teach?

For the skincare aficionados out there, esthetician school may be exactly the path you’re looking for. As an esthetics student, you’ll learn a wide range of skincare treatments, product application, and the science behind it all. Esthetician school teaches everything you need to know about skincare and how to create and recommend skincare regimens based on each individual client.

At Tricoci University of Beauty Culture, we break our esthetics training into four important phases. Each of our core phases allow us to build a strong foundation of anatomy and physiology as well as a better understanding of how active ingredients target various skin conditions and issues. As you complete each phase, you will work toward advanced goals of specialized treatments and business building skills that will help you start your career in the beauty industry successfully.

Esthetics Curriculum

Still curious about what, exactly, you’ll learn when you choose to study esthetics at a beauty school? In its entirety, the esthetics program includes 750 hours of training. That means you can finish in just six months if attending full-time or in nine months if attending part-time. The program complies with local and state licensing requirements and is accredited by the National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts and Sciences (NACCAS).

In our essentials courses, you’ll learn the foundational elements of each of the following techniques and knowledge areas.

Skincare Practices

Esthetics training includes basic skin care practices. This category includes both classroom instruction and hands-on training covering the following topics:

  • Cleansing the skin
  • Effective skin analysis
  • Nutrition and how it affects skin health
  • How to improve skin health
  • Product ingredient knowledge as it relates to skin care
  • Salon procedures

Skincare Science

This category of training helps students understand the underlying science of skin. The coursework will help prepare students to diagnose the skin type of a client and have the ability to choose the best treatments for their skin’s needs. Training includes the following topics:

  • Physiology of the skin and its layers
  • Skin types, conditions, and disorders of the skin
  • How the skin works
  • Cause and effect of what we do to our skin
  • Human anatomy and body systems
  • Effects of esthetics procedures
  • Bacteriology
  • Chemistry and the importance of ingredients

Targeted Treatments

Beyond the basic treatment techniques, esthetician students will also learn how to choose and apply targeted treatments designed to address very specific skincare concerns. These areas of study can include:

  • Resurfacing
  • Laser treatment
  • Permanent makeup
  • Lash extensions
  • Nano needling
  • Light therapy

Advanced Esthetics Training with Tricoci University of Beauty Culture

By structuring our coursework in four core phases, we ensure that our students get a well-rounded and appropriately deep knowledge of the areas they will encounter every day in their post-graduation careers. This also allows students to pursue an esthetician specialty.

Advanced Courses for Exceptional Skills

We build upon the knowledge you obtain in your first set of courses to help you feel confident in your skills and in your ability to tackle a wide range of skincare concerns and troubles. Our advanced courses dive deeper into the science and application of techniques so you not only feel fully prepared for your licensure exam, but also have a leg up in the beauty industry from day one.

Business Management

As part of our commitment to innovating the beauty industry, we teach beyond the techniques for your specialization. Knowing your area of expertise is only one part of the puzzle. When it comes to starting and excelling in your career, you need to know how to manage your own book of business and how to navigate the world of beauty. From business management practices to a robust network of alumni connections that are willing to help you find your footing post-graduation, Tricoci University equips you with the full set of technical and business skills you need to succeed. Business topics of study include:

  • Salon management
  • Marketing and sales
  • Professional development
  • Applicable local and state laws about esthetics
  • OSHA and EPA standards relating to chemical use

Is Esthetician School Right For You?

Now that you have a better idea of what you’ll learn during the course of your education in esthetics, you may be wondering what exactly a license in esthetics allows you to do. While the playing field is pretty wide, here are some of the places estheticians work and apply their skills:

  • Salons. Many salons will offer spa treatments to guests as add-ons to hair services or as their own menu of services entirely. This is a great way to get started after graduation, but may feel like a stepping stone for some.
  • Spas. Day spas, med spas, and skin spas are all extremely popular options for estheticians. Because spas often focus on skincare more exclusively, you may find a wider range of treatments and services for you to practice in this setting.
  • Makeup Artistry. A component of esthetician training is makeup application, and some students who ignite a particular spark for this work go on to become makeup artists.

Esthetics Curriculum FAQs

What is esthetician school like

Esthetician school is a hands-on learning program that gives students real life experience over the course of 750 hours training so that they can start their career confidently. It’s about more than book learning, esthetician school focuses on training students in the actual application of the skills they learn.

What do you learn in esthetician school

In esthetician school, you learn a variety of skills and techniques including: skincare treatments, targeted treatments, business management, skin science, and more. For a closer look at our full esthetics curriculum, fill out the form below.

How long is schooling for an esthetician

In Indiana and Illinois, 700-750 hours of training is required to sit for your licensure exam. Our program in these states is 750 hours. In Wisconsin, the aesthetics program only required 450 hours to sit for the exam, but Tricoci University’s course includes 600 hours of training because we believe the additional time spent is necessary to allow students the ability to practice our advanced techniques on clinic and spa guests.

What is a licensed esthetician

After completing an esthetics program, students are required to sit for a licensure exam. Without passing this exam, you cannot legally practice as an esthetician. Licensure requirements vary from state to state, and students must be licensed in each state they practice in.