Esthetician

Overview

Looking for a career in esthetics in a spa or beauty salon? Want to become a cosmetologist, manicurist, spa attendant or beauty consultant? Interested in becoming a beauty writer or working for a beauty products supplier? Become an Esthetician and you’ll be qualified for a career in any of these exciting fields.

You could perform esthetics services such as facials, waxing, manicures and pedicures, and makeup application. And that’s just the beginning.

The Stenberg College curriculum for esthetics program includes experiential lectures and workshops facilitated by trained estheticians and guest speakers from the spa industry.

When you graduate from the Esthetician Diploma program, you’ll be poised for a career in the rapidly expanding spa industry. Or you may choose to carry on with studies in Medical Esthetics. 

Read on to find out more...

Typical Job Duties

An esthetician performs a wide variety of duties related to skin and hair care, from performing facial massages to recommending make-up, from hair removal to hair tinting.

Some of the careers you could enter upon graduation include:

  • Esthetician
  • Esthetics business owner/operator
  • Esthetics instructor or educator
  • Beauty writer
  • Salesperson for beauty product lines
  • Manager of a hotel or resort spa

Potential Employers

You could find opportunities for employment as an Esthetics Practitioner with a:

  • Private spa
  • Cruise ship
  • Department store makeup counter
  • Beauty magazine company
  • Hotel spa

There are also many self-employment options that may be attractive to you, such as setting up your own spa or working independently from home.

Top Reasons to Choose Stenberg

  1. The esthetics classroom instruction of 1085 hours exceeds the requirements of the Cosmetology Industry Association of BC (CIABC) and allows graduates to sit for the CIABC’s Esthetics exam leading to a Certificate of Qualification which is recognized in six provinces, nine other countries and the European Union.
  1. Stenberg College’s Esthetics Program has been recognized by ITEC, International Examination Centre, which recognizes institutions offering esthetics training. 
  1. Our program is rigorous. When you graduate, you’ll be well-prepared and work-ready, confident that you can handle anything that comes your way. 
  1. Each instructor is an expert in the content area being taught, with many current industry connections.   Instructors have real world experience, so they can draw upon their own extensive work scenarios to broaden your education.
  1. The program is regularly reviewed and updated in consultation with industry to ensure that it meets the needs and expectations of employers.
  1. More than simply learning a set of technical skills, our programs inspire and enhance personal growth and development.  Stenberg College is committed to empowerment through education and ensures that students have the fundamental skills to excel in their program and to succeed in their life, both personally and professionally.
  1. In its commitment to student success, Stenberg College offers its students an unparalleled range of support services including free ESL programs, study and life skills coaching, typing tutorials and campus life events. 
  1. Our Career and Graduate Services staff members organize industry presentations on a quarterly basis.  Recruiters come and speak directly to students prior to graduation.  We are committed to helping you find employment immediately upon graduation. 

Speak to your Program Advisor for more details.

Wages and Career Outlook

Medical esthetics is a new and growing field in Canada, driven by the increased access and affordability of cosmetic and medical esthetics procedures, as well as people’s increased concern about how they look. This interest in personal appearance, coupled with higher disposable incomes, has created an explosion in services aimed at personal care.

Since the industry is new, labour market information is not yet readily available. Please contact a Stenberg College program advisor for the latest information. You should also contact industry associations, which will provide you with good information about the industry and career outlook.

The following list shows some other sources for career research. By no means is this a comprehensive list, but it is a place to start:

Is this Program for You?

It is if you:

  • like to work with the public
  • enjoy working with skin care and cosmetic products
  • are committed to life-long learning in this rapidly evolving field
  • want to perform technical procedures
  • are self-directed and able to work independently
  • feel comfortable promoting and selling products to customers 

 Program Admission Requirements

  • Completion of Grade 12 or 19 years of age or older
  • Passing Entrance Examination with a score of 70% or more (Canadian Adult Achievement Test:  Reading, Spelling & Math)
  • Passing formal entrance interview with a score of 70% or more
  • Successful completion of a short written essay
  • Verbal Test of English (if English is a Second Language)

Additional Program Requirements
Students must provide the following to their Program Advisor prior to program start:

  • Acceptable criminal record check
  • Acceptable medical examination report
  • Negative TB test report or clear chest X-ray

Duration and Financing

Duration: 34 weeks including a practicum

Financing: You could be eligible for HRDC funding, government student loans and other financing options; the Stenberg College Financial Aid Officer would be happy to provide further assistance.

Additional Certification

The program also includes essential industry-related training and certification in:

First Aid & CPR Level One
You’ll receive certificates in both basic first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System
WHMIS training and certification gives employers and employees information about materials in the workplace that can be hazardous, such as cleaning agents, compressed gases, or flammable materials. You will learn how to identify hazardous materials and how to handle them properly.  

Program Courses

Orientation and Student Success Skills
This course will provide a comprehensive orientation to Stenberg College and the program you have enrolled in.  As with all new things, there will be some challenges to overcome; however, with this course, you will become familiar with your new environment and the resources available for your use.  You will gain effective learning and study strategies and will participate in life skills exercises that teach communication, accountability, teamwork, self-awareness and build understanding of the impact you have on others.
 
Professional Communication in Esthetics
This course focuses on the development of professional identity and the professional skills required for responsible practice, e.g. basic interviewing skills, writing and documentation, oral presentations, conflict resolution, and supporting the development of positive self-esteem.

Best Business Practices
Interpersonal, verbal and non-verbal communication skills, customer service, sales, and reception skills will be covered in this course. You’ll be expected to understand the concepts of responsibility and accountability to patients/clients, co-workers and their employer, as well as the importance of attitude. Extensive discussion pertaining to the essential qualities of the customer care professional will be covered, including courtesy, respect, empathy, caring, and commitment. You’ll be provided with direction regarding the areas of competency necessary to work effectively and communicate with others. Other topics include client retention, client base expansion, smart retailing, and other techniques that will allow you to provide good customer care and build a solid business.

Safety, Health and Infection Control
You’ll review and practice the basic principles of safety, including Universal Precautions, fire, electrical, and work hazard materials safety. Appropriate information on protective clothing and equipment will be provided. WHMIS and Standard First Aid will also be included.

Bacteriology
You’ll review the classification and types of bacterial agents, bacterial growth and reproduction, bacterial infections and their prevention, immunity and body defenses, methods of infection control, as well as the effects of physical and chemical agents commonly found in esthetic procedures.

Manicures and Pedicures
In this course, you’ll develop an awareness of personal and public hygiene, as well as sterilization and sanitization measures, while putting into practice the learned skills of complete manicure and pedicure procedures. You will also be instructed in hand and arm massage, foot and lower leg massage, and popular spa treatments such as foot paraffin baths, masques, and hot oil treatments.

Anatomy and Physiology for MEP
You’ll gain a fundamental understanding of all the body systems affected by medical esthetics and cosmetic surgery procedures in this course. It serves as a precursor to the advanced version of the course in the Medical Esthetician program.

Skin Histology and Physiology
The focus here is on the integumentary system, including detailed study of cells, tissues, and the skin as an organ. The relationship of the integumentary system to other body systems, and the importance of water and nutrition for healthy skin and longevity will also be addressed.

Skin Disorders and Conditions
This course provides an intensive overview of skin conditions and diseases seen by estheticians and medical estheticians in common practice. It will introduce you to a variety of assessment and treatment protocols: acne management, clinical approaches and home care, corrective and preventive modalities for clinical age management, therapeutic responses to pigmentation problems related to ethnicity, lifestyle and insult to skin tissue, clinical care of pre and post surgical skin, nutritional therapeutic approaches to skin health, and overall wellness.

Assessment and Documentation
You’ll be introduced to advanced skin assessment within a variety of assessment frameworks related to esthetic and surgical practice. You’ll gain knowledge of skin care products and ingredients, and will apply that knowledge through practice. You will also learn and practice basic facial procedures, facial massage techniques, facials with the aid of steamers, galvanic currents, high frequency, etc. The benefits and contraindications of massage will also be covered. Appropriate documentation within a legal framework and the privacy act will be covered in detail.

Body Treatments I
In this course, you’ll be introduced to a number of body treatments such as body wraps, body polishes, and various massage techniques. You’ll be given ample opportunity to practice each of these body treatments.

Hair Removal (Waxing) and Tinting
Topics in this course include: the morphology of hair and the hair growth cycle, methods of temporary hair removal such as depilation (shaving and chemical depilation) and epilation (tweezing, sugaring, waxing), and contraindications for hair removal. You’ll learn and practice facial (eyebrows, lips, chin, etc.) and body (legs, underarms) waxing and tweezing techniques. Eyelash and brow tinting will be covered.

Makeup Artistry
You’ll gain knowledge of facial and bone structures, how to identify prominent facial shapes, and the classification of eyes, brows, and lips. You’ll use these details to accurately identify and bring out attractive features, diminish facial irregularities, and create new individual looks. Conventional makeup application for various skin types, occasions, age groups, and ethnic groups will be covered in detail.

Core Esthetics Practicum
You’ll complete an onsite 3-week practicum placement at the Stenberg Spa.

Stenberg Core Esthetics Final Exam
Upon successful completion of the practicum, you will be responsible for writing the Stenberg College core esthetics final examination.