Did You Know?
Even on cloudy days, up to 80 percent of the sun’s harmful UV rays can get through the clouds. That is why you can still get sunburned on a gray day.
How to Get Started
Starting as an esthetician means understanding how skin works and how to care for it, for yourself and for others. Early steps include looking closely, keeping things clean, and asking before you help are all early steps. Every esthetician started by learning to care for skin gently and safely, one routine at a time.
Explore the Basics
With a grown-up’s help, use a magnifying glass to look closely at your fingertip, your elbow, and the back of your hand, and draw what you see in each place. Notice the tiny lines, ridges, and fine hairs, and see how different parts of your skin look and feel. Estheticians look at skin up close with a lighted magnifying lamp so they can see details the eye misses.
Try It Out
With a grown-up, take UV-sensitive beads or paper outside on a cloudy day and watch them change color as the UV reaches them. Compare them with a set kept inside a dark box to see what changes. Up to 80 percent of UV rays can pass through clouds, so this shows why sun protection matters even on gray days.
Join the Community
With a parent or caregiver, ask a pharmacist, pediatrician, or local esthetician one question about caring for skin, such as “Why do I need sunscreen on cloudy days?” Listen closely to the answer and write it down. Asking good questions and listening carefully is how estheticians learn what each person’s skin needs.