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Holistic Skin Care Training

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Holistic Skin Care Schools and Esthetician Careers

Being an esthetician means being an expert in healthy, beautiful skin. Estheticians are trained in rejuvenating the skin by giving facials, massages or full-body treatments.

They also recommend the appropriate makeup or skin care products; or administering dermatological procedures such as laser hair removal.

Beyond that, holistic skin care training can expand an esthetician’s realm of expertise to include healthy, natural products and non-invasive skin care treatments. Holistic approaches to skin care consider the health of the whole person, including nutrition, lifestyle and emotional factors.

Career Overview

As an esthetician with holistic skin care training, your practice will emphasize the maintenance of healthy skin as a reflection of inner health, and promote the use of natural products and holistic approaches over invasive surgical techniques or abrasive dermatological treatments.

An important part of treating clients is selecting an appropriate skin care program for each individual’s skin type and lifestyle. Graduates of holistic skin care school often find work in day spas, salons, resorts and complementary health care centers.

Training and Education

What You’ll Study in Holistic Skin Care School

Basic training at an esthetician school includes study of human anatomy and physiology, including types of skin and skin conditions; holistic skin care products and procedures; sanitation; and professional practice.

Advanced or master training will also include in-depth study of skin science and how it connects to overall health and lifestyle, as well as more complex chemical and medical procedures and holistic, non-damaging treatments.

Average Length of Study

Some holistic skin care schools offer a 300- to 600-hour basic program in just a few months. Master-level training takes another 600 hours. If you already hold an esthetician license, it takes about 60 continuing education hours to finish holistic skin care training.

Average Tuition

Tuition for introductory programs generally costs $3,000 to $5,000. Completion of the 600-hour basic holistic skin care training program costs between $6,500 and $8,000, and training for the full 1200-hour master level may cost up to $13,000 or more.

Holistic Skin Care Certification

Individual states vary with respect to how many hours of training are required in order to practice under an esthetics or cosmetology license, but 600 hours of training is enough for a Basic Esthetician License in the majority of states.

The National Coalition of Estheticians Association (NCEA) recommends the 1200-hour curriculum or its equivalent for NCEA certification. Holistic Skincare Practitioner Certification is also available from the Association for Holistic Skin Care Practitioners.

Career Outlook

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ current Occupational Outlook Handbook, there is increasing interest in skin treatments that promote relaxation and well-being, and job opportunities will be better for estheticians who are able to provide a broad range of services, including treatments that require holistic skincare training. In fact, the BLS predicts a 9.1% job growth rate through 2032, which is much faster than the national average.

Holistic Skin Care Salary

Practitioners with more advanced credentials, such as master-level holistic skincare training, often command higher wages. You can research salaries and job growth data provides by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics here:

Skincare Specialists

National data

Median Salary: $43,200

Projected job growth: 9.1%

10th Percentile: $27,600

25th Percentile: $33,310

75th Percentile: $58,730

90th Percentile: $81,320

Projected job growth: 9.1%

State data

State Median Salary Bottom 10% Top 10%
Alabama $32,720 $22,380 $55,680
Alaska $38,400 $37,350 $50,720
Arizona $44,470 $33,960 $70,590
Arkansas $36,070 $29,320 $83,270
California $42,780 $33,100 $104,810
Colorado $50,740 $30,730 $77,220
Connecticut $50,480 $34,960 $96,950
Delaware $43,100 $27,550 $83,030
District of Columbia $46,260 $44,280 $132,190
Florida $41,050 $28,780 $85,370
Georgia $40,770 $27,470 $62,520
Hawaii N/A N/A N/A
Idaho $37,060 $28,730 $70,810
Illinois $37,710 $30,750 $76,550
Indiana $41,470 $24,260 $68,040
Iowa $34,410 $23,920 $65,900
Kansas $35,940 $17,230 $62,330
Kentucky $45,180 $27,970 $94,000
Louisiana $36,420 $22,020 $61,570
Maine $44,510 $30,210 $71,890
Maryland $40,250 $28,000 $71,050
Massachusetts $48,470 $33,930 $80,630
Michigan $50,600 $31,560 $77,690
Minnesota $50,330 $24,910 $79,530
Mississippi $43,660 $31,610 $106,500
Missouri $38,900 $25,210 $64,430
Montana $42,340 $22,430 $82,530
Nebraska $33,350 $31,200 $63,420
Nevada $38,420 $24,940 $74,560
New Hampshire $41,630 $20,800 $60,690
New Jersey $43,390 $29,890 $98,560
New Mexico $38,150 $33,330 $61,910
New York $43,670 $31,200 $100,670
North Carolina $48,280 $27,320 $98,080
North Dakota $44,010 $38,080 $63,530
Ohio $46,030 $29,240 $75,660
Oklahoma $24,040 $19,330 $55,290
Oregon $62,500 $33,170 $76,340
Pennsylvania $44,330 $33,730 $65,000
Rhode Island $47,980 $29,720 $48,960
South Carolina $39,970 $22,920 $92,090
South Dakota $36,790 $34,310 $46,180
Tennessee $32,600 $20,360 $78,920
Texas $35,570 $21,100 $66,960
Utah $45,630 $24,940 $82,220
Vermont $57,140 $37,620 $93,230
Virginia $37,740 $28,680 $66,560
Washington $65,190 $44,870 $130,580
West Virginia $38,960 $30,070 $52,260
Wisconsin $30,700 $23,300 $75,960
Wyoming $65,290 $17,260 $68,350

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) 2023 median salary; projected job growth through 2032. Actual salaries vary depending on location, level of education, years of experience, work environment, and other factors. Salaries may differ even more for those who are self-employed or work part time.

Is a Holistic Skin Care Career Right for You?

A holistic approach to a career as an esthetician means attending to your clients’ inner health and well-being as well as the care of their skin.

You’ll need to be comfortable with interpersonal interaction and physical contact, as well as observant about skin conditions and knowledgeable about natural treatments.

Ultimately, holistic skin care training can lead to an extremely rewarding career helping people reduce stress, improve the health of their skin, and increase their overall wellness both inside and out.

Sources: Association of Holistic Skin Care Practitioners, NCEA Certified, Skin Science Institute of Laser & Esthetics, Spa Luna Holistic School Esthetician Training