How to Become an Aesthetician (Non-Medical Route)
If you’re considering a career in aesthetics, you’re looking at one of the most exciting areas of the beauty industry right now. Skin-focused treatments have moved from being an occasional luxury to an everyday priority for clients who want visible results, expert guidance, and professional treatment plans that actually make sense for their skin.
But if you’re researching how to become an aesthetician, you’ll quickly notice that advice online often makes it sound like there’s only one route. In reality, there are a few smart ways to get qualified, depending on whether you want to focus purely on skin from day one or you’d prefer a broader beauty foundation first.
This guide breaks down the non-medical aesthetician pathway at London School of Beauty, including the options you can choose at Level 2 and Level 3, and how they lead to advanced training in chemical peels and microneedling.
What does an aesthetician do?
An aesthetician is a skincare professional who specialises in advanced, non-medical facial treatments designed to improve the look and condition of the skin. That can mean treating congestion and breakouts, supporting uneven tone and pigmentation, improving texture and post-blemish marks, and helping clients maintain healthier-looking skin as they age.
The work isn’t just about performing treatments. A big part of the job is consultation, skin analysis, treatment planning, and aftercare. Clients come to aestheticians because they want professional judgement, not guesswork. They want someone who can look at their skin, understand what’s happening, choose the right treatment, and guide them through a realistic plan.
Beauty therapist vs aesthetician: what’s the difference?
Beauty therapy is often broader. It can include a wide range of services such as waxing, massage, nails, brows, body treatments, and facials. If you like variety, this can be a great foundation.
Aesthetics tends to be more skin-led and clinic-minded. Aestheticians commonly focus on results-driven facial treatments and advanced procedures like chemical peels and microneedling, which require stronger consultation skills, deeper skin knowledge, and more structured client management. Many aestheticians work in clinics, medi-spas, or advanced treatment environments where the expectation is more about outcomes than pampering.
The key point before you choose courses
If your goal is to become an aesthetician, you need a pathway that does two things. It builds strong facial foundations, and it prepares you for advanced skin rejuvenation safely and professionally. The route you take depends on whether you want to specialise early or keep your training broader at the beginning.
At London School of Beauty, you can do either, as long as you progress in the right order.
How to become an aesthetician: the London School of Beauty pathway (with your options)
➤ Step 1: Choose your Level 2 starting point
At Level 2, you have two entry options. Neither is “wrong”. It depends on what you want your early training to look like.
If you already know you want to focus on skin and facials as your career direction, Level 2 Facials & Skincare is the more direct route because it keeps your learning centred on skincare from the start.
If you want a wider base in the beauty industry (such as waxing, lashes and brows) and you like the idea of having more options early on, Level 2 Beauty Therapy gives you broader exposure, while still supporting progression into facial work and advanced skin services later.
The most important thing at Level 2 is that you build professional habits. Client care, hygiene standards, consultation basics, treatment set-up, and confident delivery are what make the next steps easier.
➤ Step 2: Choose your Level 3 progression route
Once you’ve completed Level 2, you progress to Level 3. Again, there are two routes here.
You can choose Level 3 Beauty Therapy, which continues the broader beauty therapy development. This suits students who want a wider skillset such as massage therapy alongside facial work and who may want flexibility in the types of roles they apply for while building experience.
Or you can choose Level 3 Facial Electrotherapy, which is the more specialist skin route. This option is particularly relevant if your end goal is aesthetics, because it develops your facial practice further and, importantly, includes Level 3 Anatomy and Physiology.
That anatomy and physiology component matters because it supports safer practice and better decision-making as you move into more advanced treatments. When you start offering skin rejuvenation procedures, your credibility comes from being able to explain what you’re doing, why you’re doing it, and who it is and isn’t suitable for.
➤ Step 3: Progress to Level 4 advanced aesthetics (choose your specialisms)
Once you have completed your Level 2 and Level 3 training, you move into Level 4, where you train in advanced aesthetic treatments that are in high demand in clinics and advanced treatment settings.
At London School of Beauty, this includes two major Level 4 routes that complement each other beautifully and help you build a strong, employable treatment menu.
VTCT Level 4 Combined Microneedling & Chemical Peel
Microneedling and chemical peels are two of the most requested treatments for clients who want visible improvement in tone, texture and overall skin quality. When performed correctly, they can help with concerns such as dullness, uneven tone, congestion, post-acne marks, fine lines and general skin refinement.
At Level 4 you learn more than how to perform the procedure. You develop client suitability skills, treatment planning, safe protocols, risk management, and aftercare education, which are essential for working responsibly in advanced aesthetics.
Level 4 Laser Hair Removal & Skin Rejuvenation
Laser is a cornerstone service in many clinics because it delivers results that clients return for repeatedly and it positions a practitioner firmly in the advanced treatment space.
Laser hair removal is often a high-demand, high-repeat treatment, which can be valuable for building a consistent diary and long-term client relationships. Skin rejuvenation services using laser technology also appeal to clients seeking advanced results-led treatments with a professional, clinical feel.
Level 4 laser training focuses on safe practice, correct protocols, consultation, suitability, and working responsibly with advanced equipment. This is crucial because laser is highly effective, but it must be delivered with strong standards and proper understanding.
For many aspiring aestheticians, combining microneedling, chemical peels, and laser creates a well-rounded portfolio that fits what employers and clients are actually looking for.
Which route should you choose if you want to become an aesthetician?
If you want the most direct skin-focused route, many students prefer Level 2 Facial followed by Level 3 Facials, because it keeps your training centred on skincare and includes anatomy and physiology at Level 3.
If you want to keep your options broader while still moving toward aesthetics, you can start with Level 2 Beauty and progress through Level 3 Beauty before moving to Level 4. This can be a good fit if you’re not only interested in skin, or if you want a wider salon skill base while you build confidence and decide on your niche.
Whichever route you choose, your destination is the same. Strong foundations at Level 2 and Level 3, then advanced training at Level 4.
What jobs can you do once you’re qualified?
After completing your pathway and progressing to Level 4, you can begin applying for roles in advanced treatment salons, skin clinics, medi-spas, and facial-focused environments. Many students choose to work employed first to build speed, confidence and a portfolio, then move into freelance or self-employed practice once they have consistency and a clear client offer.
The best aestheticians don’t rush the foundations
It’s tempting to fixate on Level 4 treatments, because they’re exciting and in high demand. But the practitioners who build lasting careers are usually the ones who take Level 2 and Level 3 seriously. Consultation, skin analysis, professional boundaries, aftercare communication, and hygiene are what make advanced treatments safe and successful.
If you’re serious about becoming an aesthetician, the most important step isn’t trying to guess which course is “right” from a list online. It’s choosing the route that fits your starting point, your confidence level, and the kind of career you want to build. Some students prefer to begin with a facial-only pathway and specialise quickly, while others feel more comfortable starting with a broader beauty qualification before focusing fully on advanced skin.
At London School of Beauty, we offer both routes and we’ll help you choose between Level 2 Facial or Level 2 Beauty, the most suitable Level 3 option, and whether you should progress into Level 4 Microneedling and Chemical Peels, Level 4 Laser Hair Removal and Skin Rejuvenation, or both.
If you’d like personalised guidance, we offer free course consultations where we’ll talk through your goals, any previous experience, the type of treatments you’re most interested in, and the environment you’d like to work in after qualifying. From there, we’ll recommend the clearest, most efficient study plan for you, so you can train with confidence and move forward without wasting time or money on the wrong route.
To book your consultation or request more information, contact London School of Beauty today and our team will be happy to help.
General/Course Enquiries: +44 (0)20 3966 8690 / +44 (0)20 3026 7453/ admin@beauty-school.co.uk
admission@beauty-school.co.uk
FAQs: Becoming an Aesthetician
Do I need to be medical to work in aesthetics?
No. Many popular skin rejuvenation treatments are delivered by non-medical practitioners with the correct qualifications and training.
Can I start with Level 2 Beauty and still become an aesthetician?
Yes. You can begin with Level 2 Beauty and progress through Level 3, then move into Level 4 microneedling and chemical peels.
What’s the most skin-focused route?
Typically Level 2 Facial followed by Level 3 Facials, especially as Level 3 Facials includes Level 3 Anatomy and Physiology.
Why is anatomy and physiology important for aestheticians?
Because advanced treatments require better understanding of skin function, the body systems, contraindications, and safe decision-making. It strengthens consultations and supports responsible practice.