If you’ve ever gotten a facial or an eyebrow wax, you’ve probably seen an esthetician.
And if you’ve ever gotten a skin check, you’ve probably seen adermatologist.
But what exactly does each one do?
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And when should you see one over the other?
Heres what it takes to be a board-certified dermatologist.
(Anyone who was board-certified prior to 1991 has been granted a lifetime certificate.)
The maintenance of certification program culminates in a major recertifying exam every 10 years.
Heres how estheticians get trained and licensed.
The exact requirements for estheticians differ between states.
Estheticians may also have undergraduate degrees from two- or four-year colleges, but thats not required.
At the moment, about 5,000 estheticians are nationally certified.
Sometimes, you should definitely go straight to the derm.
There are certain other issues that can only be addressed by a dermatologist.
Instead of a harmless freckle or acne-related dark spot, it could be a melanoma, Dr. Jacob explains.
A cancerous mole is addressed very differently and could be deadly if left untreated.
Simply put, you cant go zapping away without a diagnosis, Dr. Jacob says.
Any specific concerns or uncertainties you have about your skin should be brought to your dermatologist.
If youre looking for pampering or routine maintenance, an esthetician can help with that.
Estheticians and dermatologists canand dowork together.
Its possible that an esthetician may refer you to a dermatologist, and vice versa.
Warfield explains that, technically, estheticians are not allowed to treat any diseases of the skin.
I definitely see that the referrals go back and forth between our professions, Dr. Chapas says.
People start simple with whats close and whats easy, she says.
Sometimes, word-of-mouth is the most effective way to get people who genuinely need dermatological care to see her.
On the other hand, there are times when dermatologists call upon the services of estheticians.
We work as partners, communicating back and forth, she says.
