Learning by Doing: Why Hands-on Training Matters in Esthetics Education

If you are considering a career as an esthetician, you are likely the kind of person who enjoys working directly with clients to enhance the health and appearance of their skin. There are many pathways to becoming a licensed, working esthetician, including partially or completely online options. 

While these options may seem tempting, online courses without hands-on training often lack several critical components that are essential for a successful career. An education with in-person training offers mastery of technique with hands-on experience overseen by professionals, expert feedback, and the ability to professionally network, among other things. 

Read on to learn more about why hands-on training matters in esthetics education, and how you can access esthetics training to set you up for success.

Table of Contents

• Why Is Hands-on Training Important?
• 7 Benefits of Hands-on Training in Esthetics Education
• What To Look for in an Esthetician Program
• Spectrum Advanced Aesthetics: Laying a Practical Foundation for Future Estheticians

Why Is Hands-on Training Important?

There are many paths to esthetician training, but an in-person, hands-on training option is the best. Esthetician work is incredibly detail-oriented, with real-time results, and that can be difficult to translate without in-person study. The most effective esthetician procedures require the development of technique and technical skill, which can only be built in-person with supervised training.

Classroom learning is very important, but only hands-on training can adequately train estheticians to do things like skin analysis, perform extractions, and apply makeup. In addition, a lot of esthetics, such as makeup application, requires good lighting and a steady hand, both of which cannot be taught outside of direct training and repetition. More advanced techniques, like dermaplaning and microneedling, require technical proficiency with tools that cannot be obtained without hours of use. 

If hands-on esthetics training feels overwhelming, don’t worry. Spectrum Advanced Aesthetics makes it easy for students to advance their skills in a safe, supportive atmosphere.

7 Benefits of Hands-on Training in Esthetics Education

The benefits of practical training go beyond the technical. Proper education and training are the difference between a degree that is a useless piece of paper and a degree that is the first step towards a thriving, successful, lucrative esthetician career. 

Esthetics is a social business. Face-to-face communication and training matter for a skillset that is so personal and tactile. That’s why anyone who is considering education in esthetics should spend their money on the best education, like the one offered by Spectrum Advanced Aesthetics. We offer all the below perks of hands-on training guided by the best professionals in the industry.

#1: Growth in Confidence

Without direct feedback, how are you going to advance your skills and gain confidence? Esthetician work is personal by nature, and having finely honed skills builds the confidence that puts your clients at ease.

That's one of the many reasons why hands-on training matters in esthetics education, because it offers direct feedback for your advancing skills and education from a trusted teacher, giving you the confidence you need to perform techniques and advance your business. 

#2: Competence in Skills and Techniques

Watching a video of a specific esthetician technique, such as a facial or a waxing, is not the same as performing it yourself. Esthetician work is all performed in person, and that is why practicing techniques and skin analysis must be done practically, under the guidance of a licensed professional, who can correct mistakes in real time. 

With a high-quality education like the one offered by Spectrum Advanced Aesthetics, you will be able to practice learned skills under the supervision of a licensed, working industry professional. Our school offers hands-on training with esthetician techniques such as:

• Microneedling 
• Dermaplaning
• Plebotomy for PRP

#3: Professionalism and Effective Client Communication

An online-only esthetician training course may demonstrate techniques, but it does not help with learning professionalism and effective client communication, both of which are critical for a successful career as an esthetician. 

The most successful estheticians can work with a team, whether that is working with a dermatologist in a medical setting or working with other skin specialists at a spa. Even freelance estheticians must build a loyal client base through professionalism, work quality, and reliability. 

#4: Preparation for Real-World Scenarios

Tutorials and videos are great for learning basic concepts, but only hands-on training can prepare you for real-world scenarios. 

Under the guidance of a seasoned professional, you’ll learn to handle things like equipment malfunctioning, usual skin conditions, and negative client reactions. Get ready for whatever life throws at you with experience in our lab classrooms and supervised training provided by Spectrum’s esthetician training programs. 

#5: Acquaintance With New Technologies

Esthetics are always evolving. From training for laser treatments to advanced technologies like CoolSculpting and more, you will need to be on the cutting edge of modern esthetics technology to compete in the market. 

If improperly handled, many of these technologies can be dangerous. Only an education at a high-quality, well-respected esthetician school can give you the hands-on education you need to safely and confidently use these tools to get great results.  

#6: Readiness for Certification Exams

There is no option for becoming an esthetician in Oregon without a certain amount of hands-on training. 

Oregon, like many states, requires passing a certification exam to practice as an esthetician. These exams include graduating from a board-certified esthetician school, passing written exams, and at least 500 hours of hands-on training, amongst other things. 

Taking these exams costs money, so passing them is not an undertaking to be taken lightly. Why not set yourself up for success with an education from Spectrum? We not only offer programs that surpass all state requirements for certification, but also have the highest student certification pass record in Oregon! 

#7: Hireability 

Esthetics is a rapidly growing and competitive industry. 

To get the best esthetician jobs, you need to have education, experience, and preferably a network of working industry professionals. If you aren’t familiar with the latest technology and techniques, you will have a significantly harder time getting hired. 

Luckily, a career at Spectrum Advanced Aesthetics provides all this and more! Our instructors are all working industry professionals who aim to set their students up for success, both in the classroom and after graduation.

What To Look for in an Esthetician Program

Not all esthetician programs are created equal. Unfortunately, there are unscrupulous esthetician “schools” that will take your money without providing much in return. 

In addition to hands-on training opportunities, here are a few other things to look for in an esthetician program:

Facilities With Cutting Edge Technologies

New aesthetic equipment is being developed all the time, from CoolSculpt technologies to laser resurfacing, microneedling pens, and more. 

If you want to compete in the job market, you will need to be familiar with these technologies. A modern esthetician is expected to be able to use everything from a microneedling pen to a dermaplaner with complete technical proficiency. Even estheticians who focus on makeup need to be comfortable using airbrushing foundation spray or the latest in eyelash technology. 

When looking for an esthetics school, try to find one that offers programs in new technology and offers hands-on experience with the tools of the trade. Spectrum offers certifications in all of the latest aesthetics advancements, such as PRP Microneedling and Dermaplaning. We also offer training for Advanced Esthetics Degrees. 

Experienced Instructors Who Provide Immediate Feedback

Immediate feedback is critical to learning anything, especially aesthetics. Things can happen very quickly with some of these advanced aesthetics tools, and learning the proper technique can be the difference between success and a career-ending disaster. 

In addition, immediate feedback from in-person training is scientifically proven to improve learning by:

• Improving focus: Home is full of distractions; in-person classroom time improves focus. 
• Providing  tactile learning opportunities: Engaging in and practicing newly learned techniques helps the brain remember them better. 
• Preventing the development of bad habits: Immediate correction and assistance from teachers prevents the formation of bad habits that students have to unlearn later.
• Engaging students more: Students who take the time to travel to the classroom are going to be more engaged than those at home. 

Opportunities for Collaboration

Networking is important for all professionals, and aesthetics is no different. 

Working with others in a face-to-face setting helps build teamworking skills and create opportunities for professional collaboration. In addition, learning from each other in real time is the fastest way to advance your education and feel comfortable performing facials, extractions, and more. 

In-person training is especially important for estheticians, as working together in a classroom creates a social experience similar to those of the professional settings you may be working in, such as a spa or a dermatologist's office. Some of the instructors at Spectrum even offer mentorships to help place students in jobs after graduation. 

Practical Hours for Skill Development

In Oregon, you need at least 444 practical hours of esthetician training in order to take the certification test. “Practical hours” means hands-on training and practice under the supervision of a licensed esthetician, as opposed to “theory” or “classroom” time. This helps hone the following skills:

• Practicing facials, removals, and tweezing 
• Identifying skin textures and analysis
• Makeup application 
• Usage of esthetic technology 

These requirements are for a standard esthetician license, as opposed to an advanced esthetician license. 

An advanced esthetician license trains participants in more advanced techniques, such as lasers and CoolSculpt, and requires an additional 500 hours of training with these technologies. Reach out to Spectrum Advanced Aesthetics to learn more about the difference between Standard Esthetics Licensure Programs and Advanced Esthetics Licensure Programs.

Spectrum Advanced Aesthetics: Laying a Practical Foundation for Future Estheticians

Spectrum Advanced Aesthetics is the premier Oregon Esthetician school. We understand why hands-on training matters in esthetics education. 

All of our teachers are licensed estheticians who are passionate about creating the next generation of talented skincare professionals. 

Our programs go above and beyond the required training for the Oregon state esthetician exam, insisting on more hours of training and education to set our students up for success. We don’t just want certified graduates; we want our students to be gainfully employed in the aesthetics profession of their choosing. We continue to support students after graduation by offering advanced study courses, educational resources, and access to mentorship from professionals. 

Spectrum Advanced Aesthetics works with its students to get them the education they need, from assistance with applications, scheduling classes around working hours, to providing financial assistance, and more. Check out our website to learn more about how Spectrum Advanced Aesthetics stands out as Oregon’s premier esthetics school.