Breaking into the Cosmetic Industry
Welcome back to Pittsburgh’s Beauty Guide where we continue to promote education while empowering and aspiring readers everywhere. Today we are discussing breaking into the cosmetic industry and what you need to know before getting started.
Over the last 10 years, cosmetic businesses have expanded the industry by over 10 billion dollars. Currently, the enthusiasm for this market is huge and Physicians, PA’s, RN’s, NP’s and LPN’s around the country are entering to develop their personal goals and prospects for better income. This exciting industry growth has also presented many possibilities for non-industry professionals to get trained and educated to start their careers. There are many ways to join this booming field most of which require a variety of training and certifications.
In this article, we’re going to discuss the many ways you can get started on your journey. Finding out how to get started is often time-consuming and frustrating. Often this will depend on your current level of education. Whether you’re a doctor, nurse, college graduate, or your highest level of education is high school the opportunities for employment will vary and so will the training needed for success.
Cosmetic Laser Technician
Becoming a cosmetic laser technician offers aspiring job seekers the opportunities of a lifetime. Some inquiring minds may not know exactly how to start or even what the job requires. So, let’s take a closer look to help you understand what it will take and how the job can boost your prospects.
Experience the joys of helping patients fulfill their aesthetic needs by joining the cosmetic laser industry. The laser industry works closely with many popular aesthetic techniques and professions from doctors, injectors to permanent makeup artists and supports in developing a broad array of experiences. These experiences will empower your job opportunities in many fields.
A laser technician preforms many day-to-day tasks including a variety of treatments such as laser hair removal, acne scar removal, wrinkle reduction, microdermabrasion and photo facials among many others. Many job seekers may not know that laser technicians must also keep detailed patient paperwork, know how to schedule clients, build client rapport, share their skincare knowledge with patients to better help them on their beauty regimen and learn techniques for upselling.
Qualifications
Let’s take a look at some of the qualifications employers are looking for when seeking laser technician employment.
Commonly Preferred
Usually, at least a High school diploma with cosmetic certifications is favored. Exceptional customer service and communication skills with familiarity in skincare terminology and products are a must. So you’ll want to study up on these terms and freshen up on your communication skills. There are many resources out there to help you obtain cosmetic terminology including our glossary pages that we encourage you to study.
Commonly Preferred
Most companies ask for two years of experience and securing nationally certified laser technician status. Some companies offer certification training and provide testing if hired.
Injectors
Injections such as Botox and Dysport cosmetics are a huge part of the cosmetic industry, to say the least. Aesthetic injections promote better facial features or hold up our looks as we develop or age. This benefits patients immensely for a variety of services including lasers and body sculpting.
Jumping into the cosmetic injection industry is no small task you’ll need various qualifications. Injectors should know how to keep accurate paperwork, understand how to schedule patients, create customer rapport, partake in sharing skincare and beauty regimen and study methods for upselling.
Qualifications
Let’s take a look at some of the qualifications employers are looking for when seeking an injector position.
Commonly Preferred
Employers usually desire a minimum of two years in cosmetic injectables. Additionally, the ability to display exceptional customer service to all patients and provide consultations for patients concerning a wide assortment of aesthetic services. Furthermore, the ability to efficiently note the patient’s medical assessment and experience are preferred skills.
Commonly Preferred
Must be at least a Licensed Registered Nurse, Nurse Practitioner, Physician or Physician Assistant with 2 years minimum of experience in injection such as Botox, Dysport, Juvederm, and others. If you’re hired for such a position many training programs are available for the aforementioned injectables.
Cosmetologists
Cosmetology covers an abundance of topics and skills promoting an outstanding foundation for a professional career. Whether you’ve wanted to focus on skincare, nail techniques, or hairstylist these cosmetologists are leaders of these fields. Like the other disciplines on this list, Cosmetologists should know they must keep accurate paperwork, understand how to schedule patients, create customer rapport, partake in sharing skincare and beauty regimen and study methods for upselling
Qualifications
Let’s take a look at some of the qualifications employers are looking for when seeking a cosmetology position.
Commonly Preferred
People applying for these positions should be enthusiastic regarding the beauty industry with an outgoing personality and capable to operate favorably with others. A big attribute in this field is the ability to build relationships to build a book of patients where they’ve built substantial rapport.
Commonly Preferred
Many employers require a Cosmetology license or equivalent such as an Esthetician license to join this field.
Esthetician
Becoming an Esthetician is a practice in education that’s usually categorized under cosmetology because the trade falls under various procedures and methods. Some of the techniques that you’ll be implementing are hair removals such as waxing and electrolysis or facial and skincare treatments like chemical peels, dermaplaning, and microdermabrasion. Hiring managers normally ask for proper paperwork skills, the ability to understand how to schedule patients, generate client rapport and research methods for upselling.
Qualifications
Let’s take a look at some of the qualifications employers are looking for when seeking an Esthetician position.
Commonly Preferred
People applying for Esthetician jobs should be looking for experience in facial peels, hair removal, and all the above services. Many employers are looking for personality and the ability to convert sales.
Commonly Preferred
Employers require Esthetician to follow all local and state licensing laws and regulations. For example, in the state of PA Esthetician must be licensed.
Thank you for reading about how to break into the Cosmetic Industry. We hope this may help you on your journey in the cosmetic industry. This will be an ongoing effort helping to explain the various fields and what’s needed to navigate these employment opportunities. If you have any questions for us we encourage you to visit our “ask the professionals” page where you can submit your questions and possibly be featured in the article.