Best New Beauty Career To Break Into

Are you tired of waking up every day to work a job you hate? Are you looking to maximize your income potential? The best new beauty career may be easier to break into than you think. Whether you are an aesthetician, a medical professional, a recent high school or college graduate, or anything in between, you may want to consider the field of medical aesthetics.

What Is Medical Aesthetics?

Simply put, medical aestheticians are skincare specialists. Medical aesthetics is similar to cosmetology and dermatology; however, it takes on more of a clinical approach than traditional cosmetology and aesthetics, while not having the same level of medical expertise as a dermatologist or doctor.

There is an important difference between estheticians and medical aestheticians. Estheticians are trained to complete skin treatments on the surface layers of skin, such as waxing, facials, wraps, tweezing and more. Medical aestheticians, depending on their training and state regulations, may perform additional cosmetic treatments using laser technology and other aesthetic technologies.

Medical aesthetics offers a wide array of non-invasive cosmetic procedures, such as laser skin rejuvenation and other aesthetic treatments. As these non-surgical procedures continue to become more common, the demand for skincare and aesthetic services continues to grow.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of skincare specialists is projected to grow 9% from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations. The BLS also projects approximately 14,200 openings for skincare specialists each year, on average, over the decade. This continued demand makes medical aesthetics an appealing field for people exploring new beauty careers.

A Recession Resistant Industry

One of the things that can make a career in medical aesthetics appealing is continued demand for aesthetic services. While no career is completely recession proof, consumers have historically continued to spend money on some personal-care and beauty services during times of economic uncertainty, a phenomenon often referred to as the “lipstick effect.”

Non-invasive cosmetic procedures can also be appealing because they generally require less time and recovery than surgical procedures. Many treatments require repeat visits, giving practitioners the opportunity to build relationships with returning clients. For people researching recession proof careers, these characteristics can make medical aesthetics an industry worth considering.

A Booming, Growing Market

The numbers behind this industry are hard to ignore. Current market research estimates that the global medical aesthetics market will grow from $22.59 billion in 2026 to $40.60 billion by 2031. The report identifies growing demand for minimally invasive and non-surgical treatments, greater awareness of aesthetic procedures and continued innovation in injectables and energy-based devices as factors driving the market.

The growing acceptance of aesthetic treatments among different age groups and demographics is also helping expand the industry. For someone looking into recession proof careers, continued growth in the medical aesthetics market can create opportunities to develop specialized skills and build a career in an evolving field.

Two Popular Career Paths

Medical aesthetics is a broad field with many ways to work toward some of the most sought-after beauty careers within the industry. Two popular options are cosmetic laser technician and aesthetic injector.

Cosmetic Laser Technician

Requirements for cosmetic laser technicians vary by state, so it is important to understand the rules and regulations where you plan to work. Depending on the state and the services being performed, you may need specific education, training, licensure or supervision.

Attending a cosmetic laser technician training school can provide instruction in laser safety, skin anatomy, treatment techniques and the proper use of different aesthetic technologies.

Cosmetic laser technicians can find work in a variety of settings, including clinics, plastic surgeon and dermatologist offices, medical spas and other aesthetic practices. Depending on their training and state regulations, they may perform popular cosmetic laser treatments such as laser hair reduction, laser tattoo removal, IPL photofacial skin rejuvenation, radiofrequency skin tightening, skin rejuvenation and more.

Aesthetic Injector

In contrast, cosmetic injectables such as Botox and dermal fillers are administered by qualified medical professionals within the scope of their training and state regulations. Registered nurses, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, doctors, dentists and other qualified providers may pursue additional training in aesthetic injections.

These professionals may offer cosmetic services in addition to their existing medical practice or choose to specialize in medical aesthetics entirely. Injecting patients with cosmetic fillers requires additional education and hands-on training, and adding aesthetic services can provide another career path for medical professionals interested in expanding their skills.

What Can You Earn?

Salary figures vary by source, location, and specialization, but the numbers are consistently strong. According to Salary.com the national average annual salary for an aesthetic laser technician is $64,285 ($31/hour), while an aesthetic nurse injector averages $172,199 ($82.79/hour) Separately, the Bureau of Labor Statistics found the average annual salary for all skincare specialists was $45,330 ($21.79/hour).

It’s important to remember these numbers are variable, especially since medical aestheticians work in a variety of settings and many choose to specialize in just one or two procedures — sometimes earning enough to open a private practice. For example, a technician specializing in laser tattoo removal might charge $300 per session; performing five procedures in a day could net $1,500. A technician specializing in laser hair removal charging $450 per session could net up to $3,600 in a single day from eight sessions alone.

National Laser Institute Campus Near Me

National Laser Institute has been an industry leader for over 20 years. We are dedicated to helping our students advance to the next stage of their careers. We welcome you no matter who you are, whether you’re a medical professional looking to expand your business or a recent graduate entirely new to the workforce.

Our comprehensive laser course is open to everyone. You will receive classroom laser training with a variety of experienced instructors and live demonstrations with several hours on each modality. Modalities include Microneedling, cosmetic lasers (CO2 laser skin rejuvenation), dermabrasion, Body contouring, laser tattoo removal, IPL photofacials and more.

For medical professionals who are looking to expand their skill set, our CME/CE cosmetic injections course, will provide you with a classroom style environment with instruction and demonstrations on Botox, dermal fillers, off-label Botox and fillers, PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma), Biostimulators (like Sculptra), PDO threads, microneedling (with PRP or salmon DA) and more. Then choose one of our nationwide locations to attend your clinicals for hands-on learning! 

On top of having multiple locations across the country, we also train hundreds of students per month at our Arizona, Illinois and Texas campuses. We offer a wide variety of courses, and financing options are also available for those in need.

If you are interested in working directly with clients to make their visions a reality, then a career in the medical aesthetics industry may be the right choice for you. Call us today at 800-982-6817 for more information about our comprehensive laser course or CME/CE cosmetic injections course. We will be happy to answer any questions you may have as you take the first steps toward your new career in this booming industry. Join our successful alumni working as laser hair reduction technicians, laser tattoo removal specialists, medspa owners, cosmetic injectors, aesthetic nurses, cosmetic physicians and more.