The 4 Types of Roles in Medical Aesthetics

Worldwide, medical aesthetics careers are growing in demand, thanks to innovation in the available products and services and increased awareness and acceptance on social media. Discover the most promising jobs in this field, how to get them and what you need to jump-start a career as a beauty and health care provider.

What Medical Aesthetics Entails

Medical aesthetics involves enhancing patients’ appearance using noninvasive, elective treatments such as dermal fillers, laser treatments and neuromodulators like Botox. It combines the science of medicine with the art of beauty to boost patients’ confidence, affirm their self-image and improve their lives. Only certified medical professionals can practice medical aesthetics in the United States. Laws vary by state so make sure you review your state laws.

The Medical Aesthetics Industry’s Outlook

Recent statistics show an overwhelmingly positive outlook for types of jobs in medical aesthetics. According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, job openings in the skin specialist field — including medical aestheticians — will grow 9% between 2022 and 2032, a rate the BLS describes as “much faster than average.”

The consumer base for medical aesthetic treatments is diversifying, too, with men becoming increasingly interested in minimally invasive procedures. There are also growing numbers of people considering getting medical aesthetic treatment within the next five years. According to McKinsey & Company’s 2024 market research, this number of fence-sitters is a fantastic indicator of industry growth potential, so the future looks exceedingly bright. 

What Exceptional Industry Growth Means for Med Aesthetics Careers

A blossoming market will give certified aestheticians more job opportunities at competitive pay rates. Registered nurses, nurse practitioners and physician’s assistants can transition from bedside care to medical aesthetics with a few short courses. This flexibility opens multiple opportunities for qualified health care workers who feel unfulfilled in their current roles and want to make a positive change.

Roles and Careers in Medical Aesthetics

Once you get certified, you can start applying for medical aesthetics jobs. Their roles tend to overlap depending on where and with whom you work. Each requires you to complete training programs before you can administer any treatments. 

1. Laser Technician

Laser technicians use machines that emit various light wavelengths to treat patients’ aesthetic concerns. Lasers can help resurface aged skin, remove unwanted body hair, reduce hyperpigmentation, promote scar healing, minimize vascular lesions like spider veins and remove tattoos. Technicians work alongside plastic surgeons, dermatologists and other aesthetic practitioners to achieve their patients’ dream results.

• Carbon dioxide lasers: CO2 lasers efficiently remove superficial skin layers and reverse years of sun damage.
• Fractional lasers: These lasers reach the middle layers of skin and can help with fine lines, scars, melasma and stretch marks.
• Yttrium aluminum garnet: YAG lasers penetrate the deeper layers of skin, treating spider veins, tattoos and port-wine stains.

A new and exciting use of lasers in medical aesthetics is laser-assisted liposculpting, a revolutionary body contouring technology that uses concentrated light beams to liquefy unwanted fat in delicate, hard-to-reach areas like the face. It reduces recovery time and lets surgeons remove fat with microcannulas. Our in-demand Lipo 201 course covers the essentials of laser-assisted liposculpture, tumescent liposuction and other techniques. This course is paramount if you’re considering working with laser technology. 

2. Medical Assistant

As a medical assistant, you’ll act as a dermatologist’s, physician’s or plastic surgeon’s trusted aide. From administrative to clinical support, you’ll facilitate the smooth running of your doctor’s practice. You’ll prepare patients, instruments and equipment for various aesthetic procedures and even administer treatments like laser skin resurfacing, laser-assisted liposculpting and injections if qualified.

Medical assistants have exceptional learning opportunities from experienced, skilled, educated mentors. If you hope to pursue medical aesthetics beyond a technical role, starting your career as a medical assistant sets you up for resounding success. You may even get to scrub in and observe more invasive surgical procedures.

3. Aesthetic Nurse Injector

Some beauty clinics and medical spas employ designated aesthetic nurse injectors to handle dermal fillers, neurotoxin treatments for migraines and wrinkle prevention, sclerotherapy, Kybella, platelet-rich plasma, skin boosters and other health and beauty treatments administered via a needle. These roles in med aesthetics could be an excellent fit if you’re a registered nurse, nurse practitioner or physician’s assistant passionate about uplifting people’s self-esteem and helping them attain their best selves.

The American Association of Aesthetic Medicine and Surgery offers various facial aesthetics courses, from beginner-level to advanced. Enroll in our fast-tracked training courses to become a certified Botox injector, learn how to perform noninvasive chin and jawline enhancement, master nonsurgical rhinoplasties and much more to prepare for your career as an expert injector.

4. Medical Aesthetician

Medical aestheticians are jacks of all trades, usually mastering laser procedures, injections, microdermabrasion and facial resurfacing chemical peels.

Of all the roles in med aesthetics, the most promising for a lucrative and fulfilling career is the medical or clinical aesthetician job title. Medical aestheticians are jacks of all trades, usually mastering laser procedures, injections, microdermabrasion and facial resurfacing chemical peels. As a medical aesthetician, you could work alongside a doctor at a clinic or even run a medical spa, provided a physician owns and oversees it, per California law.

The Difference Between Aestheticians and Estheticians in the U.S.

In the United States, aestheticians and estheticians have different roles, though it is easy to confuse the two professions. Here are some fundamental distinctions between medical aestheticians and estheticians.

• Aestheticians treat patients in licensed medical centers, often alongside physicians, while estheticians treat clients cosmetically in salons or spas.
• Aestheticians can administer injectable fillers, neuromodulators and laser treatments, while estheticians cannot.
• Aestheticians may perform the full spectrum of facial chemical peels, while estheticians are limited to superficial exfoliants.

How to Become a Certified Medical Aesthetics Practitioner

You’ll need training to start your medical aesthetics career. Each state has different requirements, but in California, you must have certification from an accredited body to perform specific procedures. To administer Botox, dermal fillers and chemical peels, get certified with our Aesthetics Training 101 Hybrid and Aesthetics Training 101 Virtual courses. For liposculpture and liposuction, you’ll need an additional certification, which we provide in our Liposuction 301 course.

Why Work With the American Association of Aesthetic Medicine and Surgery?

AT AAAMS, we provide comprehensive resources and support to our students to prepare them for promising careers in medical aesthetics. Our esteemed industry experts guide learners through their coursework with a hands-on, visual, comprehensive approach to teaching, answering questions and allowing everyone to succeed.

AAAMS offers a unique network of medical aesthetic practitioners that keeps our students connected to the industry, updated with the latest innovations and supported by experienced professionals. Our rates are more cost-effective than our competitors’, though we provide industry-leading education and easy-to-access online training content to supplement our invaluable in-person training.

Earn Online or On-Site CME and CE Credits at AAAMS 

Doctors, dentists, nurses and physician’s assistants will be delighted to hear that our courses provide CME and CE credits, keeping their knowledge up to date, learning indispensable skills and satisfying the medical board’s requirements. Earn up to 17 MA PRA Category 1 Credits with our Facial Aesthetics 101 Series by Dr. Sam Assassa.

Elevate Your Career and Empower Your Patients Through AAAMS

To start learning medical aesthetics today or for more information about roles in medical aesthetics, contact us online today.