7 Essential Esthetician Services That Keep Clients Coming Back

One of the fastest-growing professions in the U.S. brings intriguing options for your spa’s treatment menu.

Bringing new clients to your spa means keeping your menu of services on the cutting edge. Many spas offer facials alongside a range of full-body treatments, but as the skyrocketing demand for estheticians proves — their job outlook is projected to grow by nearly 30% from 2020 to 2030, “much faster than average” according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics —  just about everybody who walks into a spa wants their face to feel and look its best.

You can stay ahead of the curve by adding more esthetician services to your spa right now. But what sets the treatments an esthetician can provide apart from other spa treatments, and what kinds of new services should you consider first? Let’s start with the basics.

What are esthetician services?

Esthetician services are principally concerned with the care and treatment of facial skin and hair. Estheticians are sometimes also called skin care specialists, and their specific educational and certification requirements vary by state and country. These specialists are also are not to be confused with dermatologists, who are medical doctors specializing in skin health.

Since estheticians aren’t medical professionals, they cannot administer injectable treatments such as botox or any other beautifying procedures that require working beneath the skin. Those limitations aside, the range of potential treatments an esthetician can offer is broad and ever-growing — as are the demographics of clients who may be interested in these various esthetician services.

7 esthetician services to bring to your spa

You likely already know of at least a few of the most famous and long-lasting skin care treatments an esthetician could provide at your spa, but some of the newer treatments they can also offer may surprise you. Here are 7 essential esthetician services that clients will love today, tomorrow, and for years to come.

Specialized facials

The classic (AKA European) facial is a must-have for just about any spa, but modern trends have put countless spins on the format of exfoliation, massage, and product application. Laser resurfacing can help reduce the appearance of acne scars and enlarged pores, while microcurrent facials use small, safe applications of electricity to improve muscle tone and reverse signs of aging. Since they combine the familiarity of a facial with the enticing potential of targeted treatments, specialized facials can be a popular and practical addition to your spa’s esthetician services.

Make-up application

If your clients are at the spa to get ready for a special appearance, prepare for a big night out, or just to feel as sexy as possible, they may be pleased to finish their visit with a professional make-up application. Whether a client is experienced at crafting looks or can’t tell a mascara brush from a pipe cleaner, they can enjoy the relaxation and results of leaning back and letting an esthetician treat their face like the high-quality canvas it deserves to be.

Microneedling

The name sounds a little intimidating, but when administered by a trained esthetician, the results of microneedling speak for themselves. Plus, the needles really are micro — closer to a tattoo artist’s tool than a typical hypodermic syringe, yet smaller still. These tiny, sterilized needles prick the skin of your face, causing your body to increase collagen and elastin production in the treated area. This can help to heal small imperfections in your skin and promote a healthier, more youthful look.

Microblading

Though it has a name similar to microneedling, microblading serves a very different purpose. It’s actually a type of cosmetic tattoo that creates the appearance of fuller eyebrows by drawing in individual “hairs” across your brow. Unlike typical tattoos that last for years and years, the results of microblading procedures typically last for about a year before fading away. State regulations vary on whether estheticians must also be licensed tattoo artists to carry out the treatment, so make sure you do your research before offering this service.

Chemical peels

Another intimidating name with powerful results, chemical peels work by causing the surface of the skin to blister and fall away, revealing new skin that is typically smoother and less wrinkled. Yes, it can be uncomfortable in the moment, but skilled estheticians minimize that discomfort to keep clients thinking about the range of benefits they’re soon to receive. Chemical peels can be put to work for general anti-aging purposes such as reducing fine lines around the eyes and mouth, but they can also be useful for reducing the signs of sun damage, improving the appearance of mild scars, and even treating certain kinds of acne.

Deep extractions

Some people want to spend as little time thinking about blackheads and whiteheads as possible, while others get a unique feeling of satisfaction from their removal (no judgment, you do you). Either way, almost everybody wants them gone. Estheticians use specialized tools and skills to remove unsightly comedones while minimizing damage to the surrounding skin. This is far preferable to the time-honored practice of leaning into the mirror, squeezing, and trying to hide the big red mark that results whether or not you even get the darn blackhead out.

Face waxing

However you wear your hair — both above and below the scalp — is your business. If you have some peach fuzz, full-on bristles, or anything in between that you’d like to bid adieu to, face waxing esthetician services are an ideal solution. Face waxing can keep unwanted hair from growing back for months rather than days, and while it will never be a pleasant sensation in the moment, estheticians are trained to deliver effective results with greater comfort than waxing at home.