If skincare is a subject that interests you, you can actually pursue it as a career by either opting to become an esthetician or a dermatologist. Even though both of these terms are often used interchangeably for skincare professionals, they aren’t really the same. So, what’s the difference between the two?
A dermatologist is a qualified medical professional specializing in treating skin conditions and diseases. In comparison, an esthetician’s work is limited to the appearance of the skin. The latter help people maintain healthy skin, but they aren’t trained to treat skin diseases. Let’s delve a little deeper to understand the distinctions arising of esthetician vs dermatologist.
Estheticians and dermatologists are frequently seen working together in clinical setups, but their scope of work is entirely dissimilar. So, naturally, the career paths you’d have to follow if you choose to become any of the two would also be different.
Esthetician vs Dermatologist: Education and Training
Dermatologist: To become a dermatologist in India, you need an MBBS degree of five and a half years. Following it, you will have to successfully complete a postgraduate degree specializing in dermatology (MD). After your MBBS degree, you would also need to complete a fixed duration of internship before pursuing your master’s degree. Being a dermatologist, you will be a qualified medical professional trained to treat skin diseases and other conditions. To know more about the educational institutions where you can apply for an MBBS degree, read this- Top 10 Medical Colleges In India – Rankings, Fees, & Cut-Offs.
Esthetician: Becoming a skin specialist in India requires you to have a minimum qualification of class 12, after which you can pursue a vocational training course. Famous institutes like VLCC, Shehnaz Hussain, etc., offer training programs that help you become a qualified esthetician. In some vocational courses, the minimum qualification to pursue them is a graduate degree.
Esthetician VS Dermatologist: Salary
An important point to consider is the remuneration part in the differentiation of estheticians vs dermatologists. Dermatologists are handsomely paid in India. Their median annual salary is close to ₹13,50,000. They make around ₹8,10,000 per annum at entry-level positions, whereas most experienced ones earn up to ₹19,00,000 per annum or even more. Estheticians make on an average of ₹2,32,773 yearly. They can also make money over and above this figure if they take up extra work, apart from their regular job.
FAQs Related to Esthetician vs Dermatologist Comparison
Aspiring students often have several questions in mind when it comes to choosing between esthetician vs dermatologist. Here are a few of them that we’ve answered for you:
1. Can an esthetician become a dermatologist?
estheticians and dermatologists can work together in a professional setup, but their scope of work is quite different from each other. For example, an esthetician can help you look good, but he wouldn’t be trained to treat medical issues relating to your skin. Therefore, an esthetician can not become a dermatologist without the required qualifications and training.
2. Can I become a dermatologist if I pursue BDS or BAMS, or BHMS?
A BDS degree makes you eligible to become a dentist. Similarly, BAMS and BHMS are courses that make you a qualified doctor in Ayurveda and Homoeopathy, respectively. These courses lead you to other career paths. If you’re confused between them and want to know more, we recommend you read this- MBBS Vs BDS Vs BAMS Vs BHMS: Which Medical Course Is Right For You?
3. Can estheticians write prescriptions?
estheticians can’t write medical prescriptions; they aren’t qualified to do so. Dermatologists can prescribe medicines to treat skin conditions. Although, estheticians can recommend cosmetic products to maintain the health of your skin. An esthetician should perform no medical procedure.
Career As Esthetician VS dermatologist: Which is Better For You?
You may find it a little challenging to decide which career path to choose between esthetician vs dermatologist, but you should focus on where your interest truly lies. It would help if you considered the different factors involved in selecting any of the two options. For example, the educational background you come from, the number of years you want to put in, the finances you can invest in, etc. Another crucial aspect while deciding between the two is the return on investment (ROI). It basically refers to returns (remuneration) you will get, complementing the investment of time and money you put in. While you’re at it, think of the parts of the job that interest you the most. Why do you find it interesting? What are the kind of people you want to work with? Also, think of the environment you want to work in and the type of money you want to make. It is essential to have a rational point of view while you’re deciding on all this.
If you’re still confused, the best bet would be to seek career counselling online from experts who can guide you on the right path. From understanding your interests to helping you decide the courses, colleges, and certifications, career counsellors assist you through the entire process. An online career counselling session with an expert will offer you deep insight into how you can become a great professional in a career of your choice. They consider all the factors like your current educational qualification, the kind of investment you are willing to make, your specific interests and accordingly offer you suggestions.
Wrapping Up
It is essential to understand the difference between esthetician and dermatologist to decide which career path you’d want to tread on. Consider all the points of differentiation before you move on to learn more about any one of them. Once you’ve made your choice between the two, you can start exploring more about that field. Learn about the specifics like the course you should take, subjects you must focus on, etc. It isn’t always an easy task to decide on a suitable career, and that’s where the career experts at Mindler can help you. We’ve helped scores of students like you, and we’re passionate about doing it.
Click here to book a session with a career counselling expert at Mindler today!
