aesthetics

[Cute Latin Girl]

I was interested in going to school for aesthetics. I thought it would be a great compliment to being a MT. Was wondering if anyone else has gone into this dual role? What do you think?

 

[Vishak]

too much skin care and info involved for me to get interested.   also hate the idea of waxing.  i only know of a nail tech who is also a mt...she never uses her massage training....is working in a spa doing nails etc.i would think it would be nice to be both although i'm not sure how you'd spread your time out doing both.   :-/

 

[Typical Conservative]

Two things to consider if you're thinking of having the dual roles for your own business - product and equipment.Skin care is MUCH more expensive to set up than massage - you need product for all skin types, if you go for a big name product range, it can be a very large opening order. Plus there is a lot of extra equipment starting with a steamer, waxing (and waxing product) and then the extra stuff like galvanic equipment. Eye lash tints and perm kits, nail and pedicure products, and on and on.  Insurance will probably be more due to skin penetration/electric current.With the product you have to think of shelf life if you're not going through a lot of it.If you're considering dual roles to be more employable by someone else supplying product and equipment, if you're interested in it, why not?Just be aware it is a much more expensive start up, if you're setting it up for yourself. It's a much higher profile industry, and every few months "the next big thing" crops up.  It requires a lot of research to figure out what is really worth investing in of the new fads and what will be gone within a couple of months.  That's one area we're lucky with in Australia - "the next big thing" we get out here tend to be the ones that have been around for a while.

 

[E-Man]

aesthetics

It really depends on what your goal is.If you want to make your self more employable to a day spa, then maybe.If you want to have a broader practice for yourself, then maybe too.Day Spas - first check to see if the pay is different. You don't want to get hired because of your dual skills, then get stuck doing the lower paying of the two. Some high-end spas - Mandarin Oriental hotels, for instance - will only hire dual licensed massage therapists.Plus, massage is the #1 service at a day spa, so you might just be gaining variety in your work, not necessarily gaining more work.As for working yourself, #1 question is local laws regarding aesthetics. Some states have no licensing requirements at all. Others are very strict - it can only be practiced in a licensed location, which means outcalls or working from home is out.Legal issues notwithstanding, then you should think about what is a more natural fit for your massage clientele. We offer massage, nails and facials, and the work is 85% massage, 10% nails, 5% facials. But almost all of our multiple-service clients get massage and nails. The facials tend to be stand-alone purchases.Hope that helps.

 

[Nick A. Please]

Hi,I am an esthetician - not dual - and the spa that I work in facials are booked much more, as well as waxing, then massage.  I guess it is all in where you are located.  In our area - massage is lower booked than the other offerings in spas.I think it broadens your availablility to be dual.  Just my two cents.

 

[Hawt Chiq]

Purrkitty,       can you tell me anything about the schooling? how long was it, how intense, did you enjoy it? The more I think about this, the more I believe it will be a nice compliment to my pracitce! Any info you can give me will be GREATLY appreciated! If youd like, you can email me directly   [email protected]

 

[Pompal 09.]

I wanted to bump this up and see if I could get some more responses. I completed massage school 4 years ago and only worked for a year. It became too stressful on my body. I think I would enjoy aesthetics and if I ever do get back into massage this would be a great asset. My state requires 600 hours. I was just wondering what you thought of school, how the money is etc etc.

Thanks!

 

[June Dafina May]

I rented space in a Salon/Spa for over a year. I was never as busy as the rest of the employees. Why? Sad to say, people are more willing to spend $$$ on looking good then on feeling good. I had no desire to cross over into the other fields. The owners had approached me about lower my prices to see if I would get busier. I refused. I didn't want to draw in clients who cared more about price over the value of what I do. It really wasn't a good fit for me.

I ended up relocating, I now rent space with an Acupuncturist and a Homeopathic Practitioner. I'm busy, I have clients who value and want to feel good. Best move I ever made.

 

[parade of jills]

I'm dually licensed - CMT since 2006 and became a licensed aesthetician last year. I LOVE it. Massage will always be my first and foremost love. But I love being able to do different things, love the variety and not to mention, it pumped up my income. Plus, if I ever decide to go elsewhere (not likely but still...), I have more skills to bring to the table.

We're a small shop and our aesthetician was going to be leaving within 6 months. I'd tossed around the idea of going back to school and decided it was a great time - I'd be graduating shortly after she left and the owner said she wouldn't hire another one if I became licensed. It was hard financially because I wasn't able to do massage as much and only had Sundays off for 6 months but it was so worth it. In addition, looking over my reciepts for our taxes last week, about 40% of my income was from my aesthetics business. Definitely helped financially.