How to Become a Facial Specialist in Florida

Florida is a hot spot for sun-damaged skin and an aging population looking to bring out a youthful glow. As a facial specialist, you will spend your days remedying these common problems. There are so many different techniques you can use to bring out healthy, more youthful-looking skin. But many of those techniques can be done without a facial specialist license.

In Florida, skincare specialists, estheticians, or aestheticians are formally licensed as facial specialists by the board of cosmetology. You may even see a few of them refer to themselves as “full specialists”. A full specialist is a licensed professional with training both as a facial specialist and a nail specialist.

If you are considering a career as a facial specialist, you likely have a few basic questions.

• How long will it take to get a license?
• What does a facial specialist do?
• How much do they make?
• Where in Florida can I go for training?

Let’s answer all of those questions and a few things that you need to know that no one else has told you yet.

What is the Training Requirement?

A facial specialist is required to complete a minimum of 260 hours of training to obtain a license in Florida. This means you can become a facial specialist in just a few months. Before I show you where to find a training program, we need to first talk a little more about all of the services a facial specialist can perform.

What Does a Facial Specialist Do?

Here are eleven services a facial specialist, or full specialist, you may see a facial specialist offer.

1. Facials
A facial can be simple or it can be complex. A facial is a multistep process that includes cleansing pores with steam, exfoliating to removed dead skin cells, applying custom masks, and a massaging the facial muscles.

2. Skincare Treatments
Skincare treatments are not limited to the face. Body scrubs and masks are popular cleansing and exfoliating spa treatments that can be added onto other services.

3. Waxing
Facial specialists learn to effectively remove hair while ensuring maximum comfort for the client. Waxing services include the back, chest, face, leg, underarm, arms, and the bikini region.

4. Microdermabrasion
Microdermabrasion is classified as a non-invasive, which basically means non-surgical, cosmetic technique. It uses tiny exfoliating crystals to polish the skin. It can be used to reduce the appearance of sun damage, wrinkles, fine lines, age spots, acne scarring, melasma, and other skin conditions.

5. Peels
Peels use alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) and other peeling agents to make the skin feel smoother, firmer, and appear brighter. You may seem them listed on a salon menu as light chemicals, superficial peels, or lunchtime peels.

6. Eyebrow Threading
There are more ways to shape eyebrows than waxings and tweezing. Eyebrow threading uses a twisted thread to remove and shape eyebrows. Yes, all of those people you see in the mall threading eyebrows at a kiosk should have a facial specialist registration.

7. Make-up
Are you interested in applying make-up for bridal parties or learning how to airbrush make-up? A few facial specialists focus on make-up application. A make-up artist, or MUA, is someone who uses cosmetic techniques to enhance a person’s appearance or hide flaws. In the entertainment industry, make-up artists create imaginative characters and special effects for photography, theater, television, or film.

8. Eyebrow Tinting
Eyebrow tints help define translucent brow hairs, and make them more prominent without make-up or permanent techniques.

9. Skincare Product Education
Many spas and salons expect facial specialist employees to sell skincare products to clients. As a professional, you will educate clients about products that can benefit a client in between appointments. Selling these products can also increase your income.

10. Spray Tanning
Since tanning beds have fallen out of favor with most of the public, the demand for spray tanning has grown. Spray tan technicians can give a client the perfect glow they want and flattering contours without sun damage.

11. Dermaplaning
Dermaplaning is a relatively new and increasingly popular method of exfoliation. It consists of using a scalpel blade to scrape off the top layer of dead skin cells and vellus, or “peach fuzz”, from the face. This removal reveals a smoother, brighter complexion. In 2011, Board agreed that this procedure is outside the scope of practice for Board of Cosmetology licensees.

Where Does A Facial Specialist Work?

According to Florida law and rules, facial services must be performed in a licensed salon. However, this does not mean is the only place you will find facial specialists working. Medical offices can also obtain salon licenses. Some facial specialists work in dermatology and plastic surgeon offices under the supervision of a medical professional.

Unlike a few other states, Florida does not have a separate medical esthetician license. If you want t work in a medical environment as a facial specialist, look for programs that focus on teaching students about these specific skincare services. The salary in a healthcare setting averages a little higher than salon salaries.

What is a Facial Specialist Salary?

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics lists the average yearly salary for a facial specialist, or skincare specialist, at just over $30,000. This figure does not include tips or account for the differences in salons and healthcare environments. Also, many facial specialists work part-time or have multiple licenses or registrations in Florida.

Want to be more versatile or combine your education with other programs? Here are a few options.

Other Career Paths and Licenses

Many facial specialists go on to and other programs often within the school where they complete a facial specialist training. Yes, this takes more time, but allows you to be versatile in a salon and healthcare environment. I do not want you to think you must add extra credentials to your resume, but it is just an option to think about.

Here are a few additional programs that are not under the facial specialist scope. They require additional training and licenses in Florida:

Electrologist

Electrologists are professionals that perform permanent hair removal with lasers. This board requires a 320-hour electrolysis training at a Florida approved school and an examination before obtaining a license. Here is more information on electrolysis licensing.

Massage Therapist

A facial specialist can only massage the head, face, scalp, and neck. If you want to do more than that, you will need a massage therapy license. A massage therapy license requires completion of 500 hours of training and passing the MBLEx, the massage therapist licensing exam.

Nail Specialist

A nail specialist requires completion of a 240-hour program. Click here to learn more about that career path. There is not a state examination in Florida for nail specialists or full specialist license. Remember, if you complete the nail and facial specialist requirements (500 hours total), you can apply for a full specialist license in Florida.

Cosmetologist

This license requires the most training (1200 hours), but cosmetologists can perform all hair, nail, and skincare services. They also require passing the state cosmetology exam before obtaining a license.

Tattoo Artist

Yes, this may seem a little crazy, but microblading and permanent make-up are popular right now. Both services fall under the tattooing scope. Getting licensed as a tattoo artist is less work than you might think. A bloodborne pathogens course pertaining to the tattoo industry and application to the Florida Department of Health are the main requirements.

Visit this page for more information on tattoo license requirements.

Body Wrapper

As a facial specialist, you cannot perform body wrapping without a body wrapping license. However, this requirement is very easy to obtain. A 12-hour cosmetology board-approved course and application to the cosmetology board are all you need to get registered. Online programs are available.

Where Can I Find a Facial Specialist Program in Florida

I know this is a lot of information. If extracting blackheads, providing bikini waxes, and removing dead skin cells from the face still feel like the right career choice for you, then it is time to start looking for a training program.

Most facial specialist programs are completed at cosmetology schools, or technical colleges. If you need help finding a program, check out our tips for finding a cosmetology school in Florida. Make sure the program covers what you are interested in pursuing.

Being a facial specialist really can be a rewarding career with lots of variety from day to day. The best part is that no matter what you do, much of your day is spent helping clients relax and feel better about themselves.

Go make the world a more beautiful place.

I am an esthetician or aesthetician moving to Florida, how do I get a facial specialist license?

If you are an esthetician or nail technician in another state and moving to Florida, here is a board-approved 4-hour HIV/AIDS course you need to obtain your facial, nail, or full specialist license. Not ready for that just yet? Here is more information on transferring your cosmetology board license to Florida.