If you searched medical esthetician, you landed in the right place. In professional practice, the role is more commonly referred to as a medical aesthetician, and the two terms are used interchangeably across the industry. The spelling varies by region and training background, but the career is the same. For a full breakdown of the terminology, read our post on Understanding the Distinction Between Estheticians and Aestheticians. Here, we cover the role itself: what a medical aesthetician does, what the career path looks like, and where it starts.
Medical Aesthetician: Quick Answer
A medical aesthetician, also commonly referred to as a medical esthetician, is a licensed skincare professional who provides aesthetic services in clinical and medical environments such as medical spas, dermatology offices, and plastic surgery practices. Both terms describe the same role. The spelling varies by region, employer, and training background.
The role requires the same foundational esthetics license as any spa or salon esthetician, followed by advanced training specific to clinical aesthetics. Licensure comes first. Specialization builds from there.
What Is a Medical Aesthetician?
A medical aesthetician is a licensed esthetician who has completed additional training to work in medical or clinical settings alongside physicians, dermatologists, and other healthcare providers. They perform advanced skincare treatments, support pre- and post-procedure patient care, and serve as skincare educators in environments where treatment outcomes carry clinical as well as cosmetic significance.
The title appears in job listings as clinical aesthetician or medical esthetician, depending on the employer and the state. All three refer to the same professional working in the same type of setting.
Medical Aesthetician vs. Traditional Esthetician
Both roles require a state-issued esthetics license and a strong foundation in skincare. The core difference is setting and scope. A traditional esthetician typically works in a spa, salon, or wellness environment, delivering services focused on skin health, relaxation, and cosmetic care. A medical aesthetician works in a clinical environment, performs more advanced treatments, and supports medical providers working with patients before and after cosmetic procedures.
What Does a Medical Aesthetician Do?
Responsibilities vary based on the setting and the supervising providers. Across most clinical environments, the role includes:
- Performing advanced skincare treatments such as medical-grade chemical peels, dermaplaning, microneedling, and skin rejuvenation therapies where permitted by state regulations
- Conducting thorough skin assessments and consultations to develop personalized treatment plans
- Supporting patients before and after cosmetic procedures, including injectables, laser treatments, and surgical procedures
- Educating patients on skincare routines, product selection, and post-treatment care protocols
- Documenting treatment records and maintaining clinical standards for sanitation and infection control
- Assisting physicians and medical providers with treatment preparation, room setup, and patient communication
- Recommending professional skincare products aligned with individual treatment plans and patient skin goals
Where Medical Aestheticians Work
- Medical spas (med spas): The most common setting. Combines clinical treatments with a spa experience under physician oversight.
- Dermatology offices: Support dermatologists with cosmetic skincare services, patient education, and pre- and post-treatment care.
- Plastic surgery practices: Work with patients before and after cosmetic procedures, focusing on skin preparation and recovery.
- Cosmetic treatment centers: Environments dedicated to non-surgical cosmetic services including skin rejuvenation, body contouring, and advanced aesthetic treatments.
- Hospitals and burn units: Some medical aestheticians support patients with skin conditions, burns, or scarring in acute care settings.
How to Become a Medical Aesthetician
The path follows a clear sequence. Advanced certifications and clinical training come after licensure, not before it.
Step 1: Complete Your High School Education
A high school diploma or GED is required to enroll in a state-approved esthetics or cosmetology program.
Step 2: Complete a State-Approved Esthetics Program
This is the required foundation. In New Jersey, the state requires 600 hours of training at an accredited institution before you can sit for the esthetics licensure exam. Your program covers skin analysis, facial treatments, hair removal, product knowledge, sanitation, safety, and professional practice. Every medical aesthetician working in a clinical setting holds this foundational license. There is no path around this step.
Rizzieri’s 600-hour Skin Care Program prepares students for New Jersey State Board licensure while building the hands-on clinical skills, guest service experience, and professional foundation that advanced training programs build upon.
Step 3: Pass Your New Jersey State Board Exams
After completing your program hours, you sit for a written and practical exam administered by the New Jersey State Board of Cosmetology and Hairstyling. Passing both grants your esthetics license and opens the door to professional practice and the advanced specializations that follow.
Step 4: Gain Professional Experience
Most advanced medical aesthetics training programs and clinical employers expect applicants to hold an active license and have real professional experience in skincare services. Building your foundational skills in a spa, salon, or skincare setting prepares you for the clinical pace and the more advanced coursework ahead.
Step 5: Complete the Integrative Medical Aesthetics Program
Once licensed, aestheticians pursuing medical aesthetics complete specialized post-licensure training. Rizzieri Advanced Academy offers the Integrative Medical Aesthetics Program (IMAP), designed for licensed cosmetologists and skin care specialists who are ready to move into clinical practice.
The IMAP curriculum covers:
- Dermaplaning
- Medical-grade chemical peels
- Medical microdermabrasion with dermal infusions
- Micro-needling
- Advanced anatomy and physiology
- Laser physics, laser safety, and injectables education
Graduates earn certificates in Dermaplaning, Medical Microdermabrasion, Medical Grade Peels, Laser Physics and Safety, and Micro-Needling, along with a Medical Aesthetics Program Certificate of Completion.
IMAP tuition is $4,750. The Fall 2026 program begins September 20 and runs six consecutive Sundays. View the program and apply at Rizzieri Advanced Academy.
Medical Aesthetician Qualifications
Beyond licensure and advanced certifications, strong medical aestheticians bring a specific combination of technical skill and professional qualities to their work.
Essential Skills
- Deep knowledge of skin anatomy, physiology, and how the skin responds to clinical treatments
- Precision and attention to detail across advanced treatment protocols
- Strong patient communication and the ability to educate clearly on treatment expectations and aftercare
- Comfort working in a medical or clinical team environment alongside physicians and healthcare providers
- Thorough understanding of sanitation, infection control, and safety standards specific to medical settings
- Professionalism in documentation, record-keeping, and patient-facing interactions
Continuing Education
The medical aesthetics industry evolves quickly. Professionals who complete continuing education through advanced programs and manufacturer trainings stay current with new technologies and treatment protocols. The certifications earned through a program like IMAP are a starting point for a career that grows with the field.
Medical Aesthetician Career Outlook
Salary Expectations
Earnings vary based on experience, specialty, and setting. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a national median annual wage of approximately $40,000 for skincare specialists. Medical aesthetics environments, including med spas and
clinical practices, tend to offer compensation at the higher end of that range, particularly for aestheticians with advanced certifications and a strong track record with patients.
Many medical aestheticians also earn commission on product retail and benefit from bonus structures tied to patient retention, which can meaningfully increase total compensation over time.
Job Growth and Industry Trends
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 9% employment growth for skincare specialists through 2032, outpacing the average across all occupations. Demand for non-surgical cosmetic procedures continues to grow, and qualified medical aestheticians are in short supply across med spa and clinical settings in New Jersey and nationally.
Your Path Into Medical Aesthetics Starts Here
Every medical aesthetician working in a dermatology office, plastic surgery practice, or med spa started with the same credential: a state-approved esthetics program and a New Jersey license.
Rizzieri’s Skin Care Program is the first step. Students graduate with a strong technical foundation in skin analysis, advanced skincare treatments, professional consultation, and hands-on guest experience. The program prepares you for State Board licensure and for the advanced training that clinical aesthetics careers are built on.
When you are ready to specialize, Rizzieri Advanced Academy’s Integrative Medical Aesthetics Program gives you the post-licensure training and certifications clinical employers are looking for. The Fall 2026 program begins September 20.
Schedule a tour at the Voorhees campus to see the Skin Care Program, meet instructors, and talk through the full pathway with our admissions team.
- Skin Care Program
- Integrative Medical Aesthetics Program (IMAP)
- Schedule a Tour
- Apply Now
- Call Admissions: 856.552.2270
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a medical esthetician and a medical aesthetician?
They refer to the same professional. The spelling varies by region and employer preference. In professional practice, medical aesthetician is the more widely used term. For the full breakdown on the spelling distinction, read our post: Understanding the Distinction Between Estheticians and Aestheticians.
What is a medical aesthetician?
A medical aesthetician is a licensed skincare professional who provides aesthetic services in clinical or medical settings such as medical spas, dermatology offices, and plastic surgery practices. They perform advanced skincare treatments, support patient care before and after cosmetic procedures, and work alongside physicians and healthcare providers.
How do I become a medical aesthetician?
Complete a state-approved esthetics or cosmetology program and pass your state board exams to earn a license. In New Jersey, that requires 600 hours of training. After licensure, complete a post-licensure medical aesthetics program such as Rizzieri Advanced Academy’s Integrative Medical Aesthetics Program (IMAP). The license is the required foundation for every step that follows.
How long does it take to become a medical aesthetician?
The foundational esthetics program takes approximately six months for full-time students in New Jersey (600 hours required). Rizzieri Advanced Academy’s IMAP program runs six consecutive Sundays after licensure. Total timeline from enrollment at Rizzieri School to IMAP completion is typically under a year for full-time students.
What does a medical aesthetician do?
Medical aestheticians perform advanced skincare treatments including medical-grade chemical peels, dermaplaning, microneedling, and skin rejuvenation services. They conduct patient consultations, support pre- and post-procedure care, educate patients on skincare and aftercare, and work within clinical teams alongside physicians and medical providers.
Do you need a degree to become a medical aesthetician?
A college degree is not required. What is required is a state-issued esthetics or cosmetology license, earned by completing a state-approved training program and passing state board exams. In New Jersey, the program requires 600 hours. Advanced medical aesthetics certifications are completed after licensure.
How much do medical aestheticians make?
The national median for skincare specialists is approximately $40,000 annually, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Medical aesthetics environments typically offer compensation at the higher end of that range, with additional earning potential through commission structures and patient retention programs.
Can aestheticians work in medical spas in New Jersey?
Yes. Licensed aestheticians can work in medical spas in New Jersey. State regulations govern the scope of services they may provide. In New Jersey, aestheticians do not operate lasers, which fall under physician supervision. Advanced training through a program like IMAP prepares aestheticians to work effectively within those regulatory guidelines.
What is the Integrative Medical Aesthetics Program at Rizzieri Advanced Academy?
The Integrative Medical Aesthetics Program (IMAP) is a post-licensure training program at Rizzieri Advanced Academy open to licensed cosmetologists and skin care specialists. The program covers dermaplaning, medical-grade peels, medical microdermabrasion, micro-needling, advanced anatomy and physiology, and laser physics and safety. Tuition is $4,750.