How To Become A Medical Aesthetician (With Skills And Tips)

Updated 26 July 2023

Medical aestheticians work with patients and help them address their dermatological and cosmetological issues. Their work often supports patients who have serious skin conditions or are undergoing chemotherapy or other major treatments. If you are interested in helping patients with their appearance, learning about this role can help you decide whether it is right for you. In this article, we explain what a medical aesthetician is, outline how to become a medical aesthetician, explore their skills and work environment and provide tips for developing a career in this field.

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What Is A Medical Aesthetician?

A medical aesthetician specialises in skin care, especially non-invasive cosmetic treatments. These treatments are often dermatological and aim to improve patients' appearance and skin health. Aestheticians help patients with severe skin damage, especially those recovering from surgery, burns and chemotherapy, and inform them how to maintain their skin quality after treatment. Medical aestheticians work with dermatologists, cosmetic surgeons and oncologists. They may work with different hospitals, and their job duties may differ depending on where they work. Here is an explanation of their duties in various settings:

Dermatologist's office

When working with dermatologists, aestheticians may spend time exfoliating skin or treating precancerous cells. They help clients minimise the visual impact of different medical conditions, such as eczema, acne and hyperpigmentation. Part of their job involves performing laser treatments and vascular lesion reductions.

Oncologist's office

Most aestheticians administer safe skin care treatments by modifying existing techniques. In a medical oncologist's office, they perform chemotherapy for patients whose skin has become sensitive because of treatment. They also work with burn victims, helping them use makeup to conceal scarring.

Medical spa

Aestheticians at a medical spa treat clients with scarring, hyperpigmentation and other skin conditions. This involves a wide range of duties. Some of the treatments or services they perform include chemical peeling, discolouration corrections, laser acne treatment, vascular lesion reductions, laser cellulite reductions, microdermabrasion treatments, tattoo removal and permanent makeup applications.

Medical settings

Medical settings include plastic or cosmetic surgery practices, rehabilitation clinics, speciality clinics and hospitals. In a medical setting, aestheticians may advise patients on skincare before performing a procedure or surgery. Part of their job involves assisting professional medical teams in various invasive procedures. These services improve the overall well-being of patients.

How To Become A Medical Aesthetician?

The following steps show you how to become a medical aesthetician:

1. Complete your MBBS

Complete your senior school certificate or class 12 with subjects such as chemistry, biology and physics from a recognised board. After your class 12, you require a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) degree. Gaining admission to a medical college involves passing the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET). The MBBS degree takes 5.5 to complete, including one year of mandatory internship where you work under an experienced doctor.

2. Register with the Indian Medical Register

Before practising as a doctor, register with the National Medical Commission. Obtaining your licence lets you pursue your post-graduate degree to become a medical aesthetician. You can only start treating patients after you get a doctor's licence.

3. Complete your post-graduate course

Next, enroll in a Doctor of Medicine (MD) course and choose a specialisation in dermatology, venereology and leprosy. The MD course takes two years to complete. It helps you advance your career and helps you quickly start work as a medical aesthetician.

4. Enroll in a specialised programme

To specialise as an aesthetician, enroll in a specialised aesthetic medicine course. Specialised programmes help you learn more about chemical peeling, LED light treatment, microdermabrasion and radiofrequency treatments. Focus on completing these courses from the Indian Institute of Aesthetic Medicine:

Online Post Graduate Diploma in Clinical Cosmetology (PGDCC)
Online Post Graduate Diploma in Cosmetic Dermatology (PGDCD)
Online Post Graduate Diploma in Medical Trichology (PGDMT)

Some certificate courses to pursue include the following:

Online Fellowship in Aesthetic Medicine (FAM)
Online Micropigmentation

5. Attend seminars and workshops

Hospitals prefer medical aestheticians who remain up to date with the latest developments in cosmetic procedures, cosmetology and skincare procedures. You can do this by attending medical workshops, webinars and seminars. This is important because most patients prefer medical aestheticians who use the latest technologies to perform cosmetic procedures.

6. Obtain relevant work experience

To increase your chances of getting a job, you may benefit from having related experience. For instance, you can work as a volunteer in a medical setting or as a part-time employee with an oncologist. Obtaining any relevant experience associated with aesthetic medicine improves your resume and makes you a strong candidate.

7. Apply for open medical aesthetician positions

Next, prepare your resume and apply for relevant open positions. Carefully read the job description to understand the employer's expectations. Customise your resume and only apply to jobs that interest you. Whenever you apply, prepare for potential interviews to showcase your skills and knowledge. Conduct mock interviews with family members and friends to learn which areas to improve.

Medical Aesthetician Skills

Here are some skills that medical aestheticians use:

Empathy

Being empathetic helps medical aestheticians provide good patient care. Empathy helps you identify your patients' motives and understand their pain, making it easier to create appropriate treatment plans. Treating patients respectfully and communicating politely helps you make your career fulfilling.

Research

Part of your job might involve researching new products, cosmetic medicines and treatments. Your research skills help you understand the latest techniques for performing medical procedures such as chemical peels and laser acne treatments. The ability to identify reputable sources and understand which information is important helps you learn important information.

Communication

You may collaborate with other medical doctors and communicate with patients frequently. Communication skills help you inform your patients about treatments and procedures. You also require active listening skills to understand patients' problems.

Attention to detail

Medical science requires medical aestheticians to show great attention to detail. This skill set helps you provide premium care to patients. It includes excellent observation skills, delegation, focus and attentiveness to avoid medical negligence.

Stress management

Because medical aestheticians manage the lives of patients and help them improve their skin in a high-demand role, they require excellent stress management skills. Those who manage stress well can easily focus on patient care. Sleeping and taking care of your health are two great ways to manage stress.

Time management

As a medical aesthetician, you take care of patients who come for cosmetic procedures. You require excellent time management skills to manage and prioritise all these tasks successfully. Excellent time management skills help you enhance your workplace performance.

Hand-eye coordination

As a cosmetic doctor, you may perform various cosmetic procedures that require a steady hand. Excellent hand-eye coordination helps you administer aesthetic medicines to a specific area of the patient. The ability to use medical tools, such as syringes, is desirable for this role.

Tips For Becoming A Medical Aesthetician

Here are some tips you can follow to develop your career as a medical aesthetician:

Improve your knowledge

Ongoing learning is highly desirable if you want to excel in your job. As medical science constantly evolves, new skin and cosmetology treatments enter the market. Upgrade your medical knowledge by completing relevant certifications and courses. Although this step is optional, it can be a great way to improve your skill set.

Work with mentors

Mentors are highly qualified, educated and experienced doctors who guide you in this role. They might help you overcome any challenges you are facing. In addition, they may help you improve your skill set and recognise areas where you can improve.

Focus on humility

As you bring positive change to your patients' lives, striving for humility when working with medical staff and patients can help you succeed. Learn from your mistakes, and focus on humility instead of arrogance. Being humble helps you build a personal connection with patients.

Medical Aesthetician Work Environment

The working conditions of a medical aesthetician are typically physically demanding because they may stand for long periods. Though most aestheticians work 40 hours per week, many may work overtime to meet clients' demands. Medical aestheticians who work with more than one hospital have a different schedule each day, depending on their commitment to the hospital or medical clinics.