Advanced Esthetics Careers
Learn about career options for Certified Advanced Estheticians!
AESTHETICS INSTITUTE
Advanced Esthetics Careers
Careers for a Certified Advanced Esthetician are in-demand and include many workplace locations, specialties, and skincare focuses.
Whether you want to work in a medical spa, dermatology or plastic surgery office, own your own business, work as an independent contractor, specialize in one specific service, or do a little bit of everything, there is a world of possibilities and opportunities for Certified Advanced Estheticians!
Check out a few of our amazing graduates:
There are several ways to pursue a career in the Advanced Esthetic field. These options range from working for yourself to working for a business to retailing products or devices for a larger distributor.
While not an exhaustive list, we have covered the main career opportunities Advanced Estheticians may pursue upon graduation.
Working for Yourself
You can work for yourself independently and perform all of the state-approved Advanced Esthetic treatments as long as you have a written Collaborative Agreement with a healthcare professional (see more about this Agreement below).
To work for yourself, you would need to take all the proper steps to run a business, like investing in insurance for yourself and all the devices, tools, and equipment you will operate.
You can purchase FDA-approved devices and equipment for your business and operate them as long as you stay within your scope of practice.
Many estheticians will work out of rented professional spaces or choose to set up spa facilities in their own homes or apartments.
" Being a student at the Aesthetics Institute has truly exceeded my expectations! I enjoy coming in on my scheduled days, being able to gain hands-on experience, and having fun while doing it all!! The teachers really do expect greatness and professionalism from us, and I appreciate their care while we’re on our way to success! Most of all, my teacher Tashauna has been nothing but supportive and just overall the best teacher! We love you!"
Marianna Greytsarovskaya
Advanced Esthetics 2023
Advanced Esthetics 2023
" Being a student at the Aesthetics Institute has truly exceeded my expectations! I enjoy coming in on my scheduled days, being able to gain hands-on experience, and having fun while doing it all!!
The teachers really do expect greatness and professionalism from us, and I appreciate their care while we’re on our way to success! Most of all, my teacher Tashauna has been nothing but supportive and just overall the best teacher! We love you!"
Marianna Greytsarovskaya
Advanced Esthetics 2023
Advanced Esthetics 2023
You can also work as an independent contractor for an existing business.
With this option, you are responsible for your client scheduling and other work tasks, such as taking care of laundry, but you work in a location where you rent a space to practice.
You would need to work with the existing business to determine if you would bring equipment or rent theirs.
You also need to know who would provide insurance and what it covers. In this business model, you technically work for yourself and make your own rules and hours.
Two common contracted positions are as a trainer or as a provider.
As a trainer, you would be hired to train employees on a new device or new technique, either with the help of the company that sells or manufactures the device or on your own.
Large equipment companies often hire trainers directly and send them to new accounts, but it’s also common to have accounts reach out directly for training. Sometimes, places will purchase a device and only need someone to work the device but not be involved with the business’s day-to-day operations.
In this scenario, you would work in a facility with their device but on your own terms.
Peyton Tunstall
Meet Our Graduates
Meet Peyton Lee Tunstall, AI Masters Esthetics graduate and business owner! We caught up with Peyton recently at her very cute business, Peyton Lee Esthetics.
Our Campus Visits Coordinator had the very difficult job of laying down for one of her relaxing and rejuvenating facial services, and had the opportunity to ask her a few questions about her career in esthetics. Learn about Peyton’s journey from student to business owner below.
Name: Peyton Lee Tunstall
Business Name: Peyton Lee Esthetics
Website
Social: @peytonleeesthetics
Location: 8525 SW Barbur Blvd. Portland Oregon 97219
What program did you complete?
Masters Esthetics
When did you attend the school?
I started in November, 2018 and graduated in October, 2019.
When did you start your business?
In January, 2020.
What services do you offer?
I currently offer lash enhancements, brow shaping, facials, and facial waxing.
What about the AI program did you feel most contributed to your success today?
The real life hands on training! Also the expectations they have of their students set the bar for what the standard in my business should be.
Why did you want to start your own esthetician business?
I love feeling like I have complete creative control from the atmosphere to the services I provide.
What do you wish you knew prior to starting your business?
This is a tough question for me because I come from a family of business owners in this industry, who I learned a lot from early on and I felt I knew a lot more going into this than most people do when they start their business.
The thing that really comes to mind is that I didn’t expect how much of my time would be dedicated to my business, outside of the services I do. It’s more time consuming than I anticipated starting out, but so worth it!
What were the resources that really helped you start your own business?
Instagram! The the Etsy community on Instagram is very supportive and is a great recourse for education recourses.
@aiofportland Avery offers litterally every service taught at our esthetician school 👀🤯 @ @Circadia #circadiaskincare #theaestheticsinstitute #businessowner #beautyeducation #estitiktok #skincare #lacticacid #chemicalpeel ♬ Money Trees - Kendrick Lamar
Collaborative Agreement
Working for yourself has many benefits but also requires that you follow specific guidelines set by the state of Oregon to maintain the safest possible practice for yourself and your clients.
As an Advanced Esthetician, you are required to have a Collaborative Agreement with a medical provider if you choose to work for yourself. The purpose of the agreement, per ORS 676.655(3), is to provide a Certified Advanced Esthetician with a licensed healthcare professional to whom he or she may refer a client.
This information is provided to the Health Licensing Office on the advanced esthetics application forms.
The agreement must be with a physician licensed under ORS chapter 677 or a nurse practitioner under ORS 678.375-678.390, or a licensed health care professional who works at the same location as the certified advanced esthetician and who has the authority to prescribe drugs listed in Schedule III, IV or V.
This information is subject to change, and we encourage you to see Oregon’s Health Licensing Office website to read more about these agreements.
" I attended the Aesthetics Institute from 2016-2017. I completed their Master Esthetician Program and then took their Advanced Esthetics Program. Since then, I have worked at several Day Spas and Med Spas, and I must say that my knowledge acquired in school far exceeded any of my colleagues who attended elsewhere. Even after completing my programs, I’m still able to ask for esthetics advice from my former instructors. And I enjoy coming in to get services from the current students. I highly recommend this school if you’re going to pursue a career in esthetics!"
Lauren Weinhandl
Masters & Advanced Esthetics
Masters & Advanced Esthetics
" I attended the Aesthetics Institute from 2016-2017. I completed their Master Esthetician Program and then took their Advanced Esthetics Program.
Since then, I have worked at several Day Spas and Med Spas, and I must say that my knowledge acquired in school far exceeded any of my colleagues who attended elsewhere.
Even after completing my programs, I’m still able to ask for esthetics advice from my former instructors.
And I enjoy coming in to get services from the current students. I highly recommend this school if you’re going to pursue a career in esthetics!"
Lauren Weinhandl
Masters & Advanced Esthetics
Masters & Advanced Esthetics
Working for Someone Else
If you don’t want to work for yourself, you can work as an employee for a medspa, plastic surgeon’s clinic, or dermatology office.
Working for someone else has its own benefits. You get to clock out at the end of the day, you typically have an existing client base, and your pay is more regular.
You can either be hourly or salaried, depending on where you work and what you do.
Each of these options is slightly different and has its own benefits and challenges. Medspas typically pay more but regularly have a sales requirement for the position.
This job can often include commission-based pay, and they don’t always have the most inclusive benefits.
In these workplaces, you will typically offer a variety of facial and body treatments and have a provider that offers things like injectables that are outside your scope of practice.
Plastic surgeon’s offices typically offer a fast-paced work environment and great in-house and health benefits.
In these workplaces, you will typically offer many types of services that range from basic facials to body treatments.
Dermatology offices usually include all of the skin-related services that the providers don’t offer.
Dermatologists typically diagnose and treat skin issues but will also offer more aggressive esthetic treatments, like full-field ablative resurfacing and injectables.
There generally is a sales requirement and commission-based pay for these positions.
" Being a student at the Aesthetics Institute has truly exceeded my expectations! I enjoy coming in on my scheduled days, being able to gain hands-on experience, and having fun while doing it all!! The teachers really do expect greatness and professionalism from us, and I appreciate their care while we’re on our way to success! Most of all, my teacher Tashauna has been nothing but supportive and just overall the best teacher! We love you!"
Marianna Greytsarovskaya
Advanced Esthetics 2023
Advanced Esthetics 2023
" Being a student at the Aesthetics Institute has truly exceeded my expectations! I enjoy coming in on my scheduled days, being able to gain hands-on experience, and having fun while doing it all!!
The teachers really do expect greatness and professionalism from us, and I appreciate their care while we’re on our way to success!
Most of all, my teacher Tashauna has been nothing but supportive and just overall the best teacher! We love you!"
Marianna Greytsarovskaya
Advanced Esthetics 2023
Advanced Esthetics 2023
Sales Representative
Another option is to become a sales representative.
As a sales rep, you are responsible for recruiting new accounts to purchase your product or device, visiting existing accounts to ensure they are doing well, supporting current accounts with new launches and events, and attending corporate conferences and events.
Often, this is a salaried position with a sales commission on top.
This job typically requires a lot of traveling, as you usually cover a large area. It takes a very self-driven person to do well as a sales rep, as you spend a lot of time on your own and have to set your own schedule and goals. But this position is often very lucrative with incredible earning potential and incentives.
Are you ready to become an Advanced Esthetician?
A career in advanced esthetics can be challenging but also very rewarding.
Depending on your interests and professional goals, becoming a Certified Advanced Esthetician may help you create a long and successful career in the beauty industry.
The Aesthetics Institute offers an advanced esthetics training program and is leading the way for our graduates to become top practitioners and leaders in the beauty industry in Oregon and beyond.
We are one of three schools in the Portland area and only one of six in the state of Oregon that offer advanced esthetics training.
If a career in advanced esthetics interests you, we invite you to our campus for a tour and admissions counseling session.
We will answer all your questions and discuss any concerns you may have with pursuing your advanced esthetics education.
We are a family-owned and operated school, and our advanced classes regularly have only six to eight students in attendance.
We pride ourselves on offering individualized education in a warm and friendly environment.
With nearly 40 years of experience, we look forward to continuing to serve the Portland community.
