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Esthetician vs. Advanced Esthetician in Oregon: What’s the Difference?

Writer's picture: Ms. HoodMs. Hood

As an esthetician educator in Oregon, one of the most common questions I get is about the difference between an Esthetician and an Advanced Esthetician. While both roles are essential in the beauty and skincare industry, the education, licensure, and services they provide are very different. It’s also important to note that Estheticians are limited to treatments that do not penetrate past the epidermis, while Advanced Estheticians can work below the surface with specialized tools and techniques.

Let’s dive into the details so you can better understand which path might be right for you!


Students at Champions Beauty Institute learning how to do wax services in class, holding hard wax after doing a back wax on a client.
Our esthetician students at Champions Beauty Institute: School of Esthetics on a class wax day!


Education for Estheticians:

To become an Esthetician in Oregon, you must complete 600 hours of training at a licensed esthetics program. This program teaches the fundamentals of skincare, including facials, waxing, and superficial peels—treatments that do not go beyond the epidermis, the outermost layer of the skin.

If you want to perform more complex treatments, you’ll need to pursue additional training. Becoming an Advanced Esthetician requires graduating from an Oregon-licensed career school for advanced non-ablative esthetics, where you’ll learn about laser treatments, microneedling, radiofrequency, and other advanced procedures. These treatments require a deeper understanding of skin science and medical-grade equipment.


Licensure

Licensing requirements in Oregon differ based on your scope of practice:

  • Estheticians are licensed by the Oregon Board of Cosmetology, which oversees basic skincare services.

  • Advanced Estheticians are licensed by the Oregon Board of Certified Advanced Estheticians, which regulates more technical, medically-influenced procedures.

This distinction ensures that both client safety and professional standards are upheld for each level of practice.


Scope of Services

The services provided by Estheticians and Advanced Estheticians are distinct:

Estheticians focus on enhancing the skin’s surface and provide treatments such as:

  • Facials

  • Waxing

  • Makeup application

  • Lash and brow tinting

  • Superficial chemical peels


Estheticians are limited to working on the epidermis and cannot perform treatments that penetrate deeper layers of the skin. Their role is to address surface-level concerns like hydration, exfoliation, and temporary hair removal.

Advanced Estheticians, however, are trained to offer specialized services, including:

  • Microneedling

  • Laser hair removal

  • Photorejuvenation

  • Non-ablative tattoo removal

  • Radiofrequency skin tightening

These treatments work below the surface of the skin and target deeper concerns such as collagen stimulation, pigmentation, and skin tightening.


The Key Difference: The Epidermis

The biggest difference between an Esthetician and an Advanced Esthetician comes down to the epidermis. Estheticians are restricted to treatments that stay within the outermost layer of the skin. For example, while an Esthetician can perform a superficial peel, they cannot use tools or treatments that penetrate deeper into the skin.

Advanced Estheticians, on the other hand, are trained and licensed to perform procedures that go beyond the epidermis. Using lasers, microneedling devices, and radiofrequency technology, Advanced Estheticians can target the dermis and deeper skin layers to treat advanced skin concerns like scarring, fine lines, and hyperpigmentation.


The scope of practice for Estheticians and Advanced Estheticians in Oregon is limited to non-invasive skincare treatments. Estheticians focus on treatments that stay within the epidermis, while Advanced Estheticians can work with more advanced tools and technology but are still limited to non-ablative, non-invasive procedures. Any service involving injections, penetration deeper than 0.3 mm, or medical-grade techniques is outside their scope and must be performed by a licensed medical professional.

By staying within their scope of practice, Estheticians and Advanced Estheticians not only protect their clients but also ensure compliance with state regulations.


Why It Matters

The distinction between Estheticians and Advanced Estheticians is critical for maintaining client safety and ensuring treatments are performed by professionals with the appropriate training. Whether you’re focusing on the epidermis as an Esthetician or offering advanced procedures that go deeper, both roles are essential in helping clients achieve their skincare goals.

If you’re considering a career in esthetics, take the time to explore which path aligns with your interests. Estheticians provide foundational skincare services and build client relationships, while Advanced Estheticians specialize in high-tech, results-driven treatments. Both paths are rewarding in their own way and play a vital role in Oregon’s thriving beauty and wellness industry.

By understanding the difference between these roles and the importance of staying within your scope of practice, you’ll set yourself up for success as a trusted skincare professional!


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