Your Dual Practice, Combine Massage With Aesthetics

Posted on: July 3rd, 2012 by Admin

Traci Daly, Program Director of Atlanta Institute of Aesthetics, a division of Atlanta School of Massage, wrote a feature article for the June edition of Massage Magazine. Traci has 15 years of experience practicing massage and esthetics. She is a nationally certified massage therapist as well as an NCEA-certified, licensed esthetician and licensed esthetician instructor. Following are excerpts and highlights from the article.

massage mag cover

Benefits of a Dual Massage and Esthetics Licensure

Massage therapists with dual licenses are in high demand with employers, especially in an economic downturn. A double area of expertise puts an applicant on the top of the list for interviews and call backs. Being dual-licensed makes a therapist more employable, especially in the spa world. Someone who can provide all the services on the menu may be more valuable to a spa owner than an esthetician or massage therapist alone.
Employment of estheticians is expected to grow 25 percent from 2010 to 2020, faster than the average for all occupations. The increase in employment reflects demand for new services being offered, such as mini sessions (quick facials at a lower cost) and mobile facials (making house calls).
The desire among women and a growing number of men to reduce the effects of aging and to lead a healthier lifestyle through better grooming should result in employment growth, including skin treatments for relaxation and well-being. Job opportunities should be good due to the growing number of beauty salons and spas.
A therapist can build their clientele twice as fast offering massage services to their skincare clients as well as offering skincare services to their massage clients.
Being able to offer a facial in between a massage or body treatment will give the therapist a break from the body mechanics that cause repetitive-use injuries. Offering an array of treatments for clients also breaks up the monotony that can lead to burnout or simply, poor work.

If longevity and versatility weren’t enough motivation to pursue these two, complementary career paths, then there’s always the love of the work. Here are two testimonials from practicing therapists who have become dual licensed as well as one from a therapist who is working toward his dual license.

“Massage and Aesthetics naturally complement each other so it was an obvious choice for me to learn both. I feel like it allows me to provide my clients with a more complete treatment focusing on their overall well being, not just a “symptom”. I enjoy being able to talk to them confidently with the extra knowledge I’ve gained from learning both practices.” – Cassie Peters (licensed massage therapist, licensed esthetician and licensed esthetic instructor)

“ I received my massage certification in 1992. I worked on my own, part time as a massage therapist specializing in working with survivors of physical and sexual abuse. Helping clients in treatment become comfortable with healthy, safe, and therapeutic touch through massage. Two separate accidents in the early 2000’s crushed both my hands and required a number of surgeries and long physical therapy to regain proper use. The accidents impacted my ability to physically perform massage.”

“Around that time my alma matter announced it had started a new Esthetic Program and invited past graduates to visit and check out the curriculum. I’d always enjoyed working with people and thought esthetics would allow me to do that while still utilizing my previous massage skills. I enjoyed the diversity of options available to me as a licensed massage therapist and esthetician when I went to work in a medical spa after graduation. Being dual licensed afforded me the ability to perform an extremely wide range of musculature and skin services on clients. My employer recognized the value in having someone who could perform any service offered.” – Ray Louis (licensed massage therapist, licensed esthetician, licensed esthetic instructor)

“After completing the course work to become a certified massage therapist, I decided to continue my studies and enroll in their esthetics program. I wanted to broaden my opportunities in the quickly developing field of massage, knowing my resume would be enhanced by a certification in esthetics. I’m confident my additional certification in esthetics will give me a clear advantage in today’s increasingly challenging and competitive spa industry”- Will Thompson (licensed massage therapist and current esthetics student)

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