If you’re interested in finding a solution for a skincare issue, you may speak with either a dermatologist or an esthetician. Although they are skin care specialists, they have separate areas of expertise and provide various services.
The exterior look of your skin may be improved with the help of an esthetician or skin care professional. A dermatologist is a doctor who focuses on skin care.
Doctors specializing in treating and diagnosing certain skin disorders are known as dermatologists. They could, for instance, provide prescriptions for drugs or carry out office operations, such as taking skin cancer biopsies or removing cysts and growths.
On the other side, aestheticians provide treatments focusing on the skin’s surface, such as facials and light chemical peels.
You can choose which specialist is best suited to address your skin concerns by being aware of the differences between dermatologists and estheticians. To make a wise choice, consider the information below about these experts.
What’s a dermatologist?
A dermatologist is a doctor who focuses on the skin, hair, nails, and mucous membranes. More than 3,000 diseases may be identified and treated by them.
Dermatologists can provide treatment, counseling, education about skin disorders, and diagnostic and preventive examinations.
Although many dermatologists provide medical and cosmetic treatments, certain dermatologists may focus exclusively on medical or cosmetic operations.
A dermatologist with experience in medical treatments will usually concentrate on your skin’s health. They may identify a variety of conditions and issues, such as:
alopecia
eczema
skin cancer
allergic responses
rashes \ warts
hair and scalp issues
under-the-skin growths
Cosmetic dermatologists may concentrate on providing treatments that, although not required for health, may help you achieve better-looking skin.
For instance, if you want to lessen the look of fine lines and wrinkles or sunspots, you can speak with a cosmetic dermatologist.
They also provide the following services:
dermal fillers
Microneedling, chemical peels, and Botox
Resurfacing using laser
hair removal using laser
For example, any dermatologist may provide prescription drugs to treat acne. However, a dermatologist who focuses on aesthetic treatments like deep peels and laser resurfacing may assist you in looking into alternatives for minimizing the visibility of acne scars.
However, all dermatologists are licensed to do medical and cosmetic operations.
Where they practice is another significant distinction.
Dermatologists often work in private offices and specialty clinics, although bigger healthcare systems or hospitals usually employ only those who specialize in performing medical procedures. Medical spas may hire dermatologists with expertise in aesthetic operations.
Insurance companies often pay for medical dermatological operations deemed necessary for your health, but not optional cosmetic procedures should also be noted.
Education
Before beginning their careers, dermatologists must complete at least 12 years of school and training. As soon as they get a bachelor’s degree, they:
enroll in medical school to become a doctor
take part in a one-year internship, finish a three-year residency, and treat patients alongside dermatologists with practice.
Some dermatologists could then continue their education to seek a specialization. For instance, they may take part in a fellowship program to train as a dermatopathologist, who uses a microscope to identify skin conditions, or a Mohs surgeon, who uses a specialized method to remove just small amounts of skin cancer.
A dermatologist may take a certification test after completing residency training. A dermatologist’s name will be followed by the initials FAAD (Fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology) if they have board certification.
Boards that may award this certification in North America include:
the Canadian Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons, the American Board of Dermatology, and the American Osteopathic Board of Dermatology
Other boards may also provide this certification, but the qualifications for these three are the most strict.
What’s an esthetician?
Estheticians are experts with specialized training in treating the skin’s outermost layers. They may advise on how to take care of and enhance the look of your skin.
Because they lack medical expertise, unlike dermatologists, they often cannot:
diagnose skin problems
give medicines
do any invasive procedures, like fillers and injectables
with a dermatologist’s supervision, estheticians may be permitted to administer injectables and carry out additional operations in certain states.
An esthetician may provide a variety of services, for instance:
Estheticians frequently work in salons or day spas and perform facials, microdermabrasion, hair removal techniques like waxing, threading, and sugaring, makeup application, including brow tinting and eyelash extensions, and some types of superficial chemical peels. They cannot perform aggressive peels that penetrate deeper into the skin.
However, in more clinical settings, such as dermatology clinics and other healthcare institutions, medical estheticians—also known as aestheticians—might collaborate with dermatologists or cosmetic surgeons. These experts might provide such therapies as:
after- and before-surgery skin care
under medical supervision, tattoo removal deeper chemical peels laser hair removal
a medical esthetician does not need special licensure, although they often continue their education and get training in the treatments they will provide.
Education
æEstheticians are experts with specialized training in treating the skin’s outermost layers. They may advise on how to take care of and enhance the look of your skin.
Because they lack medical expertise, unlike dermatologists, they often cannot:
Diagnose skin problems
give medicines
do any invasive procedures, like fillers and injectables
With a dermatologist’s supervision, estheticians may be permitted to administer injectables and carry out additional operations in certain states.
An esthetician may provide a variety of services, for instance:
Estheticians frequently work in salons or day spas and perform facials, microdermabrasion, hair removal techniques like waxing, threading, and sugaring, makeup application, including brow tinting and eyelash extensions, and some types of superficial chemical peels. They cannot perform aggressive peels that penetrate deeper into the skin.
However, in more clinical settings, such as dermatology clinics and other healthcare institutions, medical estheticians—also known as aestheticians—might collaborate with dermatologists or cosmetic surgeons. These experts might provide such therapies as:
after- and before-surgery skincare
Under medical supervision, tattoo removal deeper chemical peels laser hair removal
a medical esthetician does not need special licensure, although they often continue their education and get training in the treatments they will provide.
How do I decide which to prefer?
Estheticians and dermatologists are qualified specialists who may assist you with your skin care needs. Usually, your decision will depend on your special problems.
When to contact a dermatologist
In general, you should see a dermatologist for any medical problems, such as:
eczema
acne
lesions
moles
psoriasis
rashes, dryness
kin discoloration
any symptoms of skin cancer
An esthetician may provide microdermabrasion, facials, and other superficial treatments if you don’t have any particular symptoms but still want to improve the look of your skin.
In most states, only dermatologists are licensed to provide more invasive procedures like Botox, dermal fillers, and scar revision surgery.
There are a few other differences to be aware of:
Peels: Alpha hydroxy acid peels, for example, may be performed by estheticians. They can also provide mild glycolic acid peels in some states. Only dermatologists are qualified to provide thorough peels, such as those using phenol or trichloroacetic acid, that penetrate the middle layer of skin entirely.
Laser treatments: Only dermatologists may provide laser treatments in the majority of states. However, certain states permit estheticians to use lasers for specific treatments, including laser-based skin rejuvenation and laser hair removal.
Microneedling: Since this service is often categorized as a medical treatment in most states, estheticians cannot usually do it. In certain states, estheticians employed in medical settings are permitted to use microneedling under the guidance of a qualified physician.
You should typically make an appointment with a dermatologist first if you’re struggling with acne, skin pigmentation, or chronic dryness.
By recommending drugs or other medical procedures, they may diagnose the skin problem and assist in treating it. They may then suggest that you seek the services of an esthetician who can also assist you in developing a skin-care routine to keep your skin in the best possible condition.
How to find an esthetician or dermatologist?
You should typically contact your insurance company before making a dermatologist visit. Most companies won’t pay for your appointment unless you receive a reference from your primary care doctor (PCP). If that’s the case, your PCP may check your skin and, if required, recommend you to a nearby dermatologist.
Find out which dermatologists are part of your insurance network if you’re looking for a dermatologist on your own.
Finding the proper professional may also be aided by considering your particular requirements. A medical dermatologist, for instance, may assist you with severe acne or rosacea, while a surgical dermatologist can remove skin cancer or benign growths.
Additionally, it never hurts to confirm their board qualification. You may search the databases offered by the American Academy of Dermatology or the American Board of Dermatology in addition to the qualifications they may provide on their website.
When picking an esthetician, you might start by requesting recommendations from dependable friends or family members.
Always check whether they are licensed to work in your state. Find one that has NCEA certification as well, as was suggested before.
Moreover useful? Before making an appointment, check online reviews of their services and enquire about their areas of expertise.
Conclusion
One professional isn’t always superior to the other regarding dermatologists and estheticians. It all comes down to the particular skin care issues you wish to address.
As a general rule, visit a dermatologist if a skin disease necessitates medicine or surgery. Contact an esthetician for advice on basic skin care or surface-level cosmetic issues.
Finding a reliable skincare expert who is accessible is what’s most important. Working with both may be the most effective way to achieve your skin goals.