If you’re interested in becoming an esthetician, I highly recommend reading this blog post and listening to our two-part podcast episode, "DEEP DIVE: The Esthetician's Path to Success: Unveiling Client Psychology with Douglas Preston."
To hear the episodes in full, visit:
I'm your trusted co-host, Trina Renea, a medically trained esthetician and coach. We invited Douglas Preston to the show because he is an expert in the psychology of estheticians and their clients, which is crucial for maintaining a high client retention rate. My mentor introduced me to him 20 years ago, and he has been instrumental in guiding my career and many others. In these episodes, we delve into the intricacies of an esthetician's career and share important tips for success.
Exploring Career Opportunities as an Esthetician
Being an esthetician opens up numerous career opportunities beyond the traditional one-on-one facial room setting. With this versatile license, you can:
- Own your studio or spa
- Work in the medical field
- Join a spa team
- Specialize in waxing
- Become a makeup artist
- Collaborate with cosmetic labs
- Contribute to product and esthetic machine development
- Work in retail
You'll discover which aspects of esthetics you enjoy most during your training. Pursuing your passion is key to a successful and fulfilling career. As a coach, I help estheticians identify their strengths and preferences to ensure they find the most rewarding path in this diverse field.
Understanding Client Psychology with Douglas Preston
In these episodes, Douglas Preston shares insights into the psychology of working with clients in the facial room. He emphasizes the importance of listening to clients, reading their cues, and responding appropriately, which are vital for building strong, lasting relationships with them.
Douglas Preston's impressive career spans 40 years in professional esthetics, spa management, and skincare career mentoring. His contributions to the industry are widely recognized:
- Former president of the Aesthetics International Association
- Past committee chairman for The Day Spa Association
- Named "Spa Person of the Year" by The Day Spa Association
- Voted Favorite Spa Consultant in American Spa magazine
- Author of the best-selling book An Esthetician’s Guide to Growing A Successful Skincare Career
- Inducted into Dermascope magazine’s Academy of Legends
Douglas is also the creator of the Preston Comedone Rxtractor®️, a precision tool used by professional estheticians worldwide.
Key Takeaways from the Episodes
Consultation is Crucial: A thorough consultation sets the stage for a successful client relationship. If time is limited, ask a few essential questions to understand your client's needs. Key questions include:
- Do you have allergies to any ingredients?
- Are you currently using any topical medications on your face?
- Have you had Botox or fillers in the last 24 hours?
Client Retention: To retain clients, the esthetician must make them feel heard, cared for, and better when they leave than when they arrive. The esthetician's role is to enhance the client's experience through effective communication and personalized care.
Practice and Training: Building confidence and skill in client consultations requires practice. In my group consultation training, students learn the meaning of consultation questions, practice with each other, and receive guidance to improve their techniques.
Douglas' Advice: Douglas advises estheticians to experience being clients themselves to understand client needs better. He highlights the importance of making clients feel better emotionally and physically during their visits.
Adapting to Different Clients
Not every esthetician enjoys working one-on-one with clients, and that's okay. If you find that this aspect of the job isn't for you, consider other roles within the industry, such as working in a spa where interaction is minimal or in a product development role.
Building Trust and Reducing Anxiety
- Estheticians should conduct Client Consultations first to break the ice and reduce client nervousness.
- Sit across from the client during the consultation to create a comfortable environment.
- Be sensitive with teenagers by asking minimal questions and quickly getting them to the treatment table.
Final Thoughts
Consultations are essential to understanding a client’s skin and needs. Even a brief consultation can significantly impact the client’s experience and satisfaction. Douglas and I agree: Never tell clients what you think is wrong with their skin. Instead, listen to their concerns and focus on how you can help.
By applying these principles and continually honing your skills, you can build a successful and rewarding career as an esthetician.
SHOW NOTES
An Esthetician's Guide to Growing a Successful Skincare Career book
The Client Consultation – training video
From Part 2
