Esthetics School Is For You
Esthetics schools are rising in popularity. Schools now exist worldwide and are driven by rising demand for non-invasive treatments that restore a youthful look.
Many people want to avoid surgical facelifts, but basic services like facials and makeup may not fully deliver the results they want. Esthetics sits in between these two options of going under the knife and the more simplified beauty maintenance routine of facials and skincare.
Schools offering courses in this field are seeing a sharp rise in students entering the industry. A solid aesthetician education is the basis for a long career in the industry.
The Cost Of Esthetics School
Aspiring estheticians often want to attend esthetics school but may be deterred by cost. Some esthetician programs cost more than $10,000 in tuition alone which means a very large investment up front before you are even able to earn a living.
At National Laser Institute, we have streamlined the process to become a certified cosmetic laser technician. After just two weeks of coursework, you can become certified. Many estheticians add laser treatments to their services, and laser work can help build a client base before graduation.
Esthetician Program
Full-time esthetician programs usually take 4 to 6 months. Students can learn skin treatments such as facial massage and microdermabrasion.
Graduates can open their own business, work at a spa or salon, or specialize, for example in waxing. Many students at National Laser Institute are estheticians who want to work in the medical aesthetics industry, which according to Grand View Research was valued at nearly $99 billion dollars globally in 2025.
What Does A Medical Esthetician Do?
Medical estheticians treat skin concerns such as unwanted hair, pigment problems, acne and wrinkles with laser technology and cosmetic injectables. Many also train in chemical peels and facials.
Typically, you do not have to have attended esthetician school to train and become a medical esthetician. Because medical esthetician school takes weeks rather than months to complete, we often recommend doing the medical training first.
Demand for medical aesthetics services has grown considerably over the past decade, according to ASAPS statistics on Botox and laser hair removal treatments.
Laser technicians perform cosmetic laser treatments, from acne scar treatment to stretch mark reduction, and choose the right treatment for each client’s skin concern.
The combined skill of both esthetics and lasers is one that’s in high demand. Medical aesthetics is fun and varied, with frequent new technology and eager clients, and extra skills create more career options. You can always specialize later if that’s your desire, for example in tattoo removal.
10 Things To Know About Medical Esthetician School
- Almost anyone can enroll. Doctors, nurses, estheticians and career changers can enroll. Generally a high school diploma or GED is needed, subject to state rules.
- Programs are shorter. Medical esthetician programs are shorter than general esthetician programs, typically about 2 weeks.
- Schools must meet state regulations and accreditation standards to provide valid certification.
- Hands-on clinical practice matters. Strong programs include practice with scheduled clients, not only traditional textbook learning.
- Small classes allow individualized attention and courses may fill quickly.
- Many career paths. Graduates can work in doctors’ offices, dermatology clinics, med spas, salons, laser clinics or open their own businesses.
- Growth in the laser industry has increased demand for laser technicians.
- Laser safety should be taught so practitioners can protect clients.
- Business and marketing seminars are offered by many laser schools.
- Injectables. Doctors and nurses can also earn certification in cosmetic injectables.
Depending on the state, cosmetic laser and injectable treatments may require a physician, nurse, or other medical professional. Call for state-specific rules, and watch this video to learn more about our medical esthetician school.
What Is Taught In Esthetics School
Courses cover anatomy and physiology, safety procedures, business practices and client selection. Client selection matters because not everyone suits every procedure, and practitioners must explain why one treatment may not suit a client while another would.
Topics include laser hair removal, laser acne treatment, laser removal of varicose veins and tattoos, skin tightening, cellulite reduction, IPL photofacials, chemical peels, and microdermabrasion.
Our Online Comprehensive Laser Course covers laser technique and safety, laser physics, skin physiology, the consultation process and device settings. It runs two weeks or less and modalities include:
- Laser hair removal
- Photofacial
- Laser skin rejuvenation
- Radiofrequency (RF) skin rejuvenation
- Body contouring
- Cellulite reduction
- Tattoo removal
- Radiofrequency (RF) skin tightening
- Microneedling
Students practice treatments on paying clients under instructors’ guidance, which National Laser Institute says few schools allow. The course pairs online instruction with live demonstrations, and students complete clinicals at one of National Laser Institute’s nationwide locations in Scottsdale, Arizona or Dallas, Texas. Our CE/CME courses cover Botox, dermal fillers, PRP and PDO threads.
Choosing An Esthetics School
Location matters less than reputation, materials, and instruction. National Laser Institute is a top-rated option that offers both classroom and clinical training, with courses that provide both.
Our training is separated into two parts: classroom (didactic) instruction and hands-on training with scheduled clients in National Laser Institute’s medical spa. Strengths include:
- Classes led by dermatologists, cosmetic surgeons, and industry physicians
- Training on multiple industry-leading technologies
- A luxury, retail medical spa training center
- A team of 20 customer service and marketing agents
- A medical advisory board with over 100 years of combined experience
- Business development and marketing seminars
- Features in national health and beauty publications
- A pioneer in laser, Botox and filler training
National Laser Institute helps students from application through job placement by sharing job postings. Graduates have started careers at medical spas, doctors’ offices, tattoo shops (for specialized work such as laser tattoo removal) and fitness centers.
Medical spas offer varied treatments, flexible schedules and higher pay than standard esthetician work.
Career Outlook
Esthetics is growing, and demand for estheticians is rising. No prior medical or clinical spa experience is required, and neither is a college degree. Some people start earning right after high school while peers in university programs take entry-level jobs.
Non-invasive treatments such as laser skin tightening and intense pulsed light (IPL) facials are now more affordable, and many clinics offer financing, which attracts even more clients.
Student Stories
Courtney Moiser, a former administrative assistant, found a job 1.5 weeks after graduating and later opened her own clinic. Miranda K. praises the live, interactive online course and says she is eager to start the clinical portion. Read what other students say.
Get Started Today!
Applicants must be at least 18 and hold a GED or high school diploma. Contact National Laser Institute today or call 800-982-6817 now for help with the application process.
See upcoming course dates and our cosmetic laser courses, or learn more at National Laser Institute.
About the Author
Louis J. Silberman is the CEO and Co-Founder of National Laser Institute, the pioneer of the medical aesthetics training industry and the largest educator in the country. NLI also operates one of the busiest medical spas in the country, seeing up to 3,000 clients per month. Louis Silberman is also an entrepreneur who has been named Ernest and Young’s EY Entrepreneur of the Year Semifinalist.
