Esthetician vs. Dermatologist: What's the Difference?

If you want to enlist the help of a professional to improve your skin, it can be difficult to know when you should see a dermatologist or an esthetician. Both are professionals that can help with men's skin care, but they have very different capabilities in how they can treat skin problems.

What is a Dermatologist and What is an Esthetician?

There are several types of skin care professionals that can help you improve the appearance of your skin:

• Dermatologists specialize in skin, hair and nail issues. In the United States, practicing dermatologists must have a medical degree. Some dermatologists specialize in surgical or cosmetic treatments, and all dermatologists have the education and skills to check for signs of skin cancer. Dermatologists can also prescribe medications and recommend men's skin products to treat skin problems, such as acne.
• Estheticians are not medical doctors, but have been licensed to perform cosmetic skin treatments, such as facials. An esthetician can suggest men's skin products that are made specifically for your skin type and give tailored skin care advice. A good esthetician may be able to help clear up blemishes and improve the appearance of your skin.
• Medical estheticians may work in a dermatologist's office and help clients with the appearance of their skin after surgery or trauma. A medical esthetician can also work with clients to suggest the right techniques for applying cosmetics after surgery, radiation or other skin trauma.

Who Should You See?

When it comes to the "esthetician vs. dermatologist" question, you need to decide what your main skin care concerns are. If your skin concerns are more about maintenance, getting a facial from an esthetician once every few weeks or months may work for you.

If you have problems with persistent acne, painfully dry skin, or another skin condition, you'll want to see a dermatology specialist. Dermatologists have the professional training and knowledge to diagnose problems, and can prescribe the necessary medication. Having completed years of professional training, dermatologists can help improve the appearance of your skin by prescribing medications. They can also tell you if your skin problems are indicative of a more serious condition. An esthetician will have to refer you to a dermatologist for any medical advice.

Most men can benefit from seeing both an esthetician and a dermatologist. A dermatologist's services should be part of your yearly medical care regimen. Appointments with an esthetician should be interspersed throughout the year, perhaps once a season, to keep your skin looking refreshed and rejuvenated.

Resources

American Academy of Dermatology Staff. (2010). What is a dermatologist? Retrieved March 23, 2010, from the AAD Web site: http://www.aad.org/public/specialty/what.html.

California Employment Development Department Staff. (2002). Skin care specialists: Estheticians. Retrieved March 23, 2010, from the California Employment Development Department Web site: http://www.calmis.ca.gov/file/occguide/SkinCare.HTM.

Green, K. (2004). Medical esthetician. Retrieved March 23, 2010, from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics Web site: http://www.bls.gov/opub/ooq/2004/spring/yawhat.htm.