Medspa Training Programs
Medspa treatments have become increasingly popular in recent years, and medspa jobs are at the intersection of the beauty and healthcare industries.
If both topics interest you and you have the dedication and passion for pursuing the right level of training, a medspa career may be right for you! In this article, learn more about some of the most popular medspa jobs and their training.
What Is a Medspa?
A medical spa, often called a medspa, goes beyond typical spa offerings to feature treatments that involve minor medical procedures for cosmetic enhancement. These procedures are performed by physicians, medical personnel, or other personnel with additional training and licensing.
Typical medspa treatments may include laser hair removal, vein treatments, chemical peels, Botox injections, microdermabrasion, and even facelifts. But unlike most medical facilities, a medspa is for client pampering and relaxation; guests can often enjoy facials, massages, and reflexology in these settings.
According to the American Med Spa Association, medspas blur the line between medical treatments and spa services.
Can I Get Medspa Training?
Some states view medspa treatments as primarily medical, while others view them as primarily cosmetic. Therefore, depending on the state's view of medspa treatments, your path to becoming a medspa practitioner will either require predominantly medical training or beauty training.
For example, Georgia and California require that such treatments be performed by licensed healthcare providers only, including doctors or nurse practitioners. On the other hand, Nevada and Minnesota allow advanced or medical estheticians to perform these services.
Depending on the particular state’s required curriculum, those with advanced esthetician credentials may receive not only standard esthetics training but also training in microdermabrasion, hair removal, permanent makeup, and more.
1. Training for Jobs in Botox
Botox is one of the most popular cosmetic medspa treatments available. It's minimally invasive, long-lasting, highly effective, and safe. In this procedure, Botulinum toxin A is injected under the skin to smooth out lines, wrinkles, and more.
Who Can Perform Botox?
People who can perform Botox vary by state. Medical doctors, including surgeons, can offer the service in all states. Other professionals who can provide Botox services may include:
- Dentists/dental surgeons
- Eye doctors or surgeons
- Licensed vocational/practical nurses
- Medical assistants
- Nurse practitioners
- Physician assistants
- Registered nurses
In rare cases, estheticians can perform Botox. But, they must be directly supervised by a physician at all times.
How Long Does Botox Training Take?
The length of Botox training courses varies, but a typical Botox certification course will take 1-2 weeks to complete.
How Much Does Botox Training Cost?
Botox training costs vary, but the popular American Board of Aesthetic Medicine's course is $1,700.
2. Training for Jobs in Dermal Fillers
Dermal fillers are minimally invasive cosmetic procedures that address several facial imperfections such as wrinkles. With dermal fillers, plumping compounds rather than toxins (such as those used in Botox procedures) are injected under the skin. Some well-known brands of dermal fillers include Juvederm and Restylane, which contain hyaluronic acid.
Who Can Perform Dermal Fillers?
Depending on the state, many medical providers and others with special certifications can perform dermal fillers.
How Long Does Dermal Filler Training Take?
Dermal filler training may last a week or two.
How Much Does Dermal Filler Training Cost?
Dermal filling training cost varies by provider. For instance, the International Association for Physicians in Aesthetic Medicine Cosmetic Injector Certification course ranges from $1,275-$2,070.
3. Training for Jobs in Microdermabrasion
Microdermabrasion is deep cleaning and exfoliation of the skin. It promises to eliminate fine lines and wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, acne, and more.
With microdermabrasion, pros often use a special tool with an abrasive surface to gently sand away the outer layer of skin. Some do this chemically. However, when estheticians are allowed to perform it, they are rarely allowed to use chemicals.
Who Can Perform Microdermabrasion?
Microdermabrasion can be performed by many medical professionals. In addition, some states allow estheticians or master estheticians to perform the service to various degrees.
How Long Does Microdermabrasion Training Take?
Microdermabrasion courses last 600 hours, on average, beyond esthetics training. Not all states allow non-medical professionals to take these courses.
How Much Does Microdermabrasion Training Cost?
Microdermabrasion training costs vary. But, it's possible to complete an online training course for about $500.
4. Training for Jobs in Dermaplaning
Dermaplaning is a surgical procedure that deeply exfoliates skin to eliminate dirt and fine hair. It leaves skin brighter and smoother, addressing uneven skin tone and fine lines. Like microdermabrasion, dermaplaning removes the top layer of skin. But, dermaplaning involves a scalpel or dermatome tool, not a rotating brush.
Who Can Perform Dermaplaning?
Dermaplaning is considered a surgical procedure and usually must be performed by a dermatologist or other medical professional.
How Long Does Dermaplaning Training Take?
It's possible to complete a dermaplaning training course in one to three days.
How Much Does Dermaplaning Training Cost?
Dermaplaning certification costs may range from about $250 to $400 or more.
5. Training for Jobs in Microneedling
Microneedling is a skin-tightening, anti-aging treatment involving repeated skin puncturing with tiny sterile needles. It relies on the skin's wound-healing process to increase elastin and collagen. It's minimally invasive and requires almost no downtime.
Who Can Perform Microneedling?
Usually, a dermatologist, plastic surgeon, cosmetic nurse, or surgeon must perform microneedling. But, a master esthetician may be able to, depending on the state.
How Long Does Microneedling Training Take?
A special microneedling certification course can be completed in a day or two; it's often included in cosmetic laser courses. Master esthetician training may take about 1,200 academic hours to complete.
How Much Does Microneedling Training Cost?
A microneedling course may cost $200 to $500 or more.
6. Training for Jobs in Skin Tightening
Skin tightening is a non-surgical procedure that uses targeted heat energy to stimulate collagen and elastin for a lifting effect on sagging skin. An esthetician, plastic surgeon, dermatologist, or other trained professional applies ultrasound or radio frequency energy (or both) to heat the skin. This triggers collagen and elastin production.
There's almost no downtime, it carries low risk, and the results are quickly noticeable and long-lasting.
Who Can Perform Skin Tightening Treatments?
Skin tightening can be performed by many medical professionals and some estheticians, depending on the state.
How Long Does Skin Tightening Training Take?
A skin tightening certification course may only take a day or two.
How Much Does Skin Tightening Training Cost?
A certification course may cost $200 to $2,300, depending on the program.
7. Training for Jobs in Laser Hair Removal
Laser hair removal is a medspa treatment that involves removing unwanted hair with laser pulses. In laser hair removal, concentrated laser light is applied to hair follicles, which absorb the light, destroying the hair. It's usually less painful, faster, and longer lasting than waxing and may eliminate hair permanently.
Who Can Perform Laser Hair Removal Treatments?
Cosmetic surgeons, cosmetic nurses, and dermatologists typically provide laser hair removal treatments. However, depending on the state, medical estheticians or other trained individuals may be allowed to.
How Long Does Laser Hair Removal Training Take?
Some states offer laser hair removal or electrology licenses, which vary in length. However, a certification course may take only a week or two (30-40 hours), sometimes less.
How Much Does Laser Hair Removal Training Cost?
Laser hair removal training costs vary by program but may run between $500 and $4,500.
8. Training for Jobs in Body Sculpting
Body sculpting is a nonsurgical method for removing fat, usually by crystallizing and killing fat cells. A licensed professional applies CoolSculpting (cryolipolysis), laser, ultrasound, electronic muscle stimulation, or acid injections to destroy fat cells in targeted areas. It's fast and noninvasive, unlike strict diets or surgery.
Who Can Perform Body Sculpting Treatments?
Tools involved in body sculpting may not fall within medical licensing laws. So, a licensed esthetician may be able to perform it, depending on the state.
How Long Does Body Sculpting Training Take?
A body sculpting certification course may take only a week or less. If your state allows estheticians to perform body sculpting, the esthetician training may range from 600-1,500 hours.
How Much Does Body Sculpting Training Cost?
A body sculpting certification course may cost between $200 and $2,500.
9. Training for Jobs in Chemical Peels
Chemical peels remove the upper layer of skin, revealing fresh, new skin beneath. A doctor or licensed esthetician applies a chemical solution that removes the upper layer of skin; deeper peels may also be possible. It's a simple, noninvasive method for rejuvenating the skin.
Who Can Perform Chemical Peels?
In some states, a licensed esthetician may be able to perform chemical peels. However, a dermatologist may be required because deeper peels are more invasive and may require pain medication.
How Long Does Chemical Peel Training Take?
Chemical peel continuing education/certification courses may be completed in one day.
How Much Does Chemical Peel Training Cost?
Certification courses for chemical peels can run from $500 to $1,700.
10. Training for Jobs in Photo-facial Pulsed Light (IPL)
In photo-facial pulsed light (IPL), targeted light pulses address pigmenting issues in the skin. IPL uses pulses of laser light to target areas of uneven pigmentation on the skin, dispersing melanin more evenly. It can address age spots, freckles, birthmarks, spider veins, and rosacea.
Research shows IPL can actually reverse the signs of aging.
Who Can Perform IPL?
A dermatologist or laser-trained, licensed esthetician can perform IPL.
How Long Does IPL Training Take?
An IPL certification course can be completed as quickly as two days to two weeks.
How Much Does IPL Training Cost?
Costs vary, but IPL training programs may range from $295 to $1,200.
11. Training for Jobs in Tattoo Removal
Tattoo removal procedures help these people to lessen or diminish their tattoos' appearance. A dermatologist, cosmetic surgeon, or certified medical esthetician uses laser light, dermabrasion, or surgery to remove tattoos.
Who Can Perform Tattoo Removal?
Surgery and dermabrasion are invasive medical procedures and should be performed by trained medical personnel. However, an esthetician or laser technician may be able to perform tattoo removal in some states.
How Long Does Tattoo Removal Training Take?
A tattoo removal certification course may only take a couple of days or up to about two weeks.
How Much Does Tattoo Removal Training Cost?
Costs for tattoo removal training vary but could be as little as $450 or as much as $1,500.
How to Find the Best Medspa Training Programs
To find the best medspa training programs, there are a few steps you should take:
- Explore a variety of programs to compare their curricula and instructors' credentials, making sure that hands-on, in-person training is part of the program.
- Ask for referrals or testimonials of real people who are incorporating their new skills into their business.
- Check the student-to-teacher ratio to ensure you get appropriate attention.
- Look for schools that provide graduates with job placement assistance.
Who Can Perform Botox and Other Medspa treatments in My State?
The table below shows the professionals who are most likely to be allowed to perform (not just prescribe) Botox and other treatments in your state as of December 2022.
Note that states sometimes create unique laws about who can perform Botox and other treatments. Further, each state may break the laws down board by board, and many states change laws regularly. This makes it hard to tell who can perform Botox and other procedures where you live.
Do your research thoroughly by asking your relevant state boards, the schools providing the training, or licensed practitioners in your area about whether you qualify before making any commitments to a medspa training program.
Sources: State medical board sites, state dental board sites, state cosmetology board sites, World Population Review, IAPAM, California Dental Association, American Med Spa Association (2022)
Abbreviations:
- APRNs: Advanced practice registered nurses
- LVNs/LPNs: Licensed vocational nurses and licensed practical nurses
- MAs: Medical assistants
- NPs: Nurse practitioners
- PAs: Physician assistants
- RNs: Registered nurses
"Physicians" is a broad term that could include general practitioners, surgeons, dermatologists, eye specialists, Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine, or other professionals with doctorates, depending on the state.
This list should be considered a reference, not a guarantee of an individual practitioner's legal ability to perform these procedures. Further, some require direct physician supervision. Always verify credentials and ensure personal comfort before agreeing to any procedure.