Medical Esthetics Practitioner for the Qualified Esthetician

Overview

The field of medical esthetics is exploding, with an ever-increasing number of opportunities for both self-employment and work within established professional settings. Medical Esthetician skills are also highly portable, allowing graduates to work around the world.

If this sounds appealing to you, you’ll want to enroll in this program to earn your Medical Esthetician Diploma. It will enable you to seek employment in the cosmetic surgery industry or conduct advanced esthetic procedures in a spa, medical spa, cosmetic surgery practice or other types of private practices.

The Stenberg College curriculum includes lectures and hands-on practice, as well as workshops facilitated by qualified medical esthetics specialists and guest speakers from cosmetic surgery practice. Instruction in the core medical portion uses live models and is led by a highly experienced physician in a working clinic.

Medical esthetics is an exciting field. If it interests you, keep reading…

Typical Job Duties

The field of esthetics is rapidly evolving. For a variety of reasons, people are more concerned with how they look and are increasingly willing to spend significant amounts of income on their appearance. The marketplace has recognized this and there has been an explosion in services aimed at personal care, from spas to laser clinics to massage therapy studios.

Some of the careers you could enter upon graduation include:

  • Medical esthetician in a spa
  • Medical esthetician in a cosmetic surgery practice
  • Medical esthetician in a medical practice, for example as laser hair technician in a doctor's office
  • Laser hair removal technician
  • Esthetics instructor or educator
  • Beauty writer
  • Salesperson for beauty product lines
  • Hotel or resort spa management

Potential Employers

You could find opportunities for employment as a Medical Esthetics Practitioner in a: 

  • Private spa
  • Medical spa
  • Cosmetic surgery practice
  • Laser skin treatment and hair removal clinic
  • Hotel or resort 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. Stenberg College offers the only fully integrated medical esthetics program in the BC. You can expect to enter the industry with a very unique diploma and a highly sought-after set of skills.
  1. Stenberg College’s Medical 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. 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
  • have an interest in performing medical or technical procedures
  • are committed to life-long learning in this rapidly evolving field
  • 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
  • Proof that you are a licensed Esthetician prior to acceptance into this program
  • Passing Entrance Examination with a score of 70% or more (Canadian Adult Achievement Test:  Reading, Spelling & Math)
  • Successful completion of a short written essay
  • Passing Verbal Test of English (if English is a Second Language)
  • Passing formal entrance interview with a score of 70% or more

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: 17 weeks including a practicum

Financing: You may be eligible for HRDC funding, government student loans, and other financing options. 

Program Courses

Advanced Skin Anatomy and Physiology for MEP
In order to get the most out of instruction that involves highly technical concepts and equipment, it is essential that you become familiar with a common language or terminology. This will give you a deeper understanding of the elements of skin anatomy and physiology that will be required for success in the core medical esthetics courses.

Dermatologic & Plastic Surgery Procedures
You’ll be introduced to the dermatologic and plastic surgery procedures most commonly performed by cosmetic surgeons in community practices and specialized clinics. Procedure preparation, surgery, possible complications, and the role of the medical esthetician will be explored. Procedures such as blepharoplasty, rhytidectomy, brow lift, rhinoplasty, liposuction, abdominoplasty, and breast augmentation will all be discussed. You will also cover the theory behind cosmetic injectables so that you’re familiar with the procedures.

Please note that this course includes introductory content on injectables. Injectables can only be administered under a physician's direct supervision and license. You will require some type of medical certification, such as a registered nurse designation, to be qualified to perform these tasks.

Laser Therapies
This core course for the Medical Esthetics program is delivered by a highly experienced physician who’s an expert in the area of lasers. You’ll have an opportunity to work with live models and to put theory into practice with actual laser hair removal and skin rejuvenation.  You will be introduced to the fundamentals of laser hair removal, including patient selection, tissue interaction, patient observation, contraindications, and post procedure care.

Microdermabrasion
This course will introduce you to the medical procedures which diminish wrinkles, reduce scarring, hyper-pigmentation, sun damage and acne scarring.  You are also introduced to new theories in the field of Medical Esthetics.

Chemical Exfoliation
You will review skin histology and physiology in regards to exfoliation. This course will include: understanding Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA), Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA), the pH of Acids, percentage strengths, and how they work on the skin. You’ll be introduced to a variety of other current exfoliation treatments and proper protocols to begin prepping clients for exfoliation treatments.

Ultrasound and Electrotherapy (Anti-aging)
In this course you will learn the theory and practice of ultrasound and electrotherapy applications in the medical spa. You’ll be introduced to the history of electrotherapy, general treatment goals and objectives, types of electrical currents, and clinical applications. Combination treatments, phonophoresis, thermal and non-thermal effects of ultrasound, contraindications, and use in pre and post surgery will also be explored.

Strategies for Starting a Medical Esthetics Business / Job Search
With the recent explosive growth in the cosmetic, cosmeceutical, and medical esthetics industry, self-employment could be an attractive and financially viable option for you. This course covers the basics of how to get started in business, including marketing, financing, management structure, equipment purchase, etc. Guest speakers from industry will help to shed light on the realities of starting out in the potentially lucrative business of helping people to look their best.  Job search skills will also be covered in this course.

Equipment Demonstrations and Practicum Prep
This course is designed to introduce you to a wide range of medical esthetic equipment through product demonstrations of laser and microdermabrasion machines, etc. You’ll benefit from exposure to numerous product types so you will have an increased level of comfort with the various pieces of equipment that you may encounter in the industry. Key elements of the program will be reviewed in preparation for going out on a practicum.

Medical Esthetics Practicum
To have an opportunity to apply your knowledge in Medical Esthetics and practice the skills learned in the classroom, you will participate in a practicum at a medical spa, laser centre, or cosmetic surgery practice.

Stenberg Medical Esthetics Final Exam
Upon successful completion of your practicum, you will be responsible for writing a Stenberg College medical esthetics final examination.