Top 12 Esthetician Skills to Put on Your Resume

In the crowded skincare arena, a smart mix of esthetician skills on your resume can tip the scales. The right techniques, paired with sharp judgment and up-to-date training, show both mastery and adaptability. Below, a refreshed rundown of 12 in-demand skills employers watch for—tuned to current standards, with scope considerations and practical tips baked in.

1. Microdermabrasion

Microdermabrasion gently abrades the outermost layer of skin to sweep away dead cells and refresh texture—no needles, no downtime, just polish and glow.

Why It's Important

It’s a reliable, non-invasive reset. Softer fine lines, smoother tone, brighter look, and a nudge for collagen renewal. A solid crowd-pleaser in any treatment menu.

How to Improve Microdermabrasion Skills

Sharpen the craft with a few habits:

Thorough consults: Map skin type, sensitivities, and contraindications. Customize grit, passes, and pressure.
Methodical technique: Even strokes, consistent overlap, light tension—never chase erythema.
Smart pairing: Layer with gentle enzymes or LED (when appropriate) for incremental gains, not irritation.
Equipment matters: Maintain tips, change filters, calibrate suction. Cleanliness and consistency are safety.
Aftercare clarity: Hydration, barrier support, and daily SPF. No harsh actives for a few days.
CE and logs: Track settings and outcomes, and keep learning through accredited education.

How to Display Microdermabrasion Skills on Your Resume

2. Chemical Peels

Peels use exfoliating acids to shed dull surface layers and spark renewal. From light brightening to deeper resurfacing—chosen with care and skin tone in mind.

Why It's Important

Versatile and targeted. Texture, clarity, congestion, discoloration—peels can nudge many concerns toward balance when matched to the right client.

How to Improve Chemical Peels Skills

Precision beats aggressiveness:

Assess and select: Factor Fitzpatrick type, history of PIH, medications, and lifestyle. Superficial and some medium-depth peels are typical for esthetics; deep peels are medical.
Precondition wisely: Gentle AHAs or pigment modulators (when appropriate) can even outcomes. Skip if barrier is impaired.
Timing and layering: Respect manufacturer timing and pH. Neutralize fully. Less is safer than reckless stacking.
Contraindications: Recent isotretinoin, active infections, unmanaged dermatitis—stop. Safety first.
Post-care rigor: Barrier repair, sun avoidance, SPF every day. Clear instructions reduce complications.
Ongoing education: Keep current on acid families, PIH prevention, and skin-of-color protocols.

How to Display Chemical Peels Skills on Your Resume

3. Hydrafacial

HydraFacial blends cleansing, exfoliation, gentle extraction, and serum infusion in one streamlined pass. Fast, comfortable, visible radiance.

Why It's Important

Instant gratification with minimal downtime across a broad set of skin types. It fills a sweet spot between basic facials and more intensive procedures.

How to Improve Hydrafacial Skills

Dial in the details:

Customize: Swap serums, adjust vacuum, and tailor passes to oiliness, sensitivity, or pigmentation goals.
Prep and protect: Start with a clean slate. Finish with barrier support and SPF. Keep actives at home gentle for a few days.
Device hygiene: Disinfect handpieces, replace tips, and follow cartridge handling protocols to the letter.
Skin analysis: Track progress with photos and notes. Tiny tweaks, big impact.
Experience matters: Comfort counts—calm room, steady touch, clear narration without chatter.
Follow-up cadence: Set realistic schedules for maintenance, not overdoing frequency.

How to Display Hydrafacial Skills on Your Resume

4. LED Therapy

LED uses specific light wavelengths to influence skin behavior—blue for acne bacteria, red for calming and collagen support, near-infrared for deeper rejuvenation.

Why It's Important

It’s gentle, additive, and pairs well with many services. A soothing tool that nudges results without trauma.

How to Improve LED Therapy Skills

Make the photons count:

Match wavelength to goal: Blue for breakouts, red for redness and aging signs, near-IR for resilience.
Prep and protect: Clean skin, remove reflective products, provide eye shields.
Consistent protocols: Time, distance, and frequency matter. Stick to tested parameters.
Screen for photosensitivity: Medications and conditions can raise risk. When in doubt, wait.
Thoughtful pairing: Post-extractions or after gentle exfoliation works well; avoid stacking with heat-heavy devices on reactive skin.

How to Display LED Therapy Skills on Your Resume

5. Dermaplaning

A sterile blade, featherlight strokes, and peach fuzz plus dead cells vanish. Skin feels like silk; products sink in better; makeup glides.

Why It's Important

Instant refinement without acids. For many clients, it’s the smoothest canvas they’ve ever had.

How to Improve Dermaplaning Skills

Steady hand, smart choices:

Technique first: About a 45-degree angle, short controlled strokes, taut skin—never rush.
Single-use blades: Open sterile, dispose properly. No exceptions.
Client selection: Skip active acne, inflamed skin, or compromised barriers. Treat sebaceous filaments gently.
Minimal drag: Dry skin prep; avoid oils that can cause skips.
Aftercare: Calm and protect—hydration, sunscreen, and a break from strong actives for several days.
Training + practice: Regular refreshers keep muscle memory crisp.

How to Display Dermaplaning Skills on Your Resume

6. Waxing

Warm wax grips hair at the root; a swift removal leaves skin smooth. Different waxes, different targets—face to bikini to brows.

Why It's Important

Predictable results, a loyal repeat cycle, and broad client demand. A revenue workhorse when done well.

How to Improve Waxing Skills

Small refinements, big comfort:

Know your wax: Hard for coarse or delicate areas, soft for larger zones. Monitor temperature, test every time.
Prep skin: Cleanse, dry, light powder if needed. No heavy oils.
Technique: Apply with growth, remove against it while supporting skin—low and close, not up and out.
Hygiene: No double-dipping. Gloves on. Disinfect surfaces between clients.
Reduce irritation: Soothe with calming post-wax products; educate on exfoliation rhythm and ingrown prevention.
Pre-care education: Pause retinoids and exfoliants ahead of time; avoid tanning and heavy workouts right after.

How to Display Waxing Skills on Your Resume

7. Lash Extensions

Individual fibers bonded to natural lashes for length, curl, and volume. Precision isolation and balanced weight keep natural lashes healthy.

Why It's Important

High demand and repeat fills. Aesthetic impact that clients notice immediately—and tell their friends about.

How to Improve Lash Extensions Skills

Details make retention:

Isolation mastery: One natural lash per extension. No stickies. Adjust tweezers and grip until it’s second nature.
Right weight: Match diameter and length to the client’s natural lash strength. Health before drama.
Adhesive savvy: Control humidity and temperature, use fresh drops, and consider patch testing for sensitive clients.
Design with intent: Lash maps custom to eye shape—open, fox, doll, subtle. Symmetry without rigidity.
Hygiene + ventilation: Clean tools, tidy station, adequate airflow to minimize fumes.
Aftercare coaching: No oils, gentle cleansing, brush daily, and timely fills (2–3 weeks).

How to Display Lash Extensions Skills on Your Resume

8. Brow Lamination

A controlled brow “relaxer” redirects hair to sit fuller and smoother. The effect lasts weeks and pairs nicely with shaping and tinting when timed correctly.

Why It's Important

Brows frame everything. This service adds fullness without makeup and satisfies the trend toward fluffy, lifted arches.

How to Improve Brow Lamination Skills

Respect the hair, respect the timing:

Consult deeply: Desired shape, hair density, previous brow work (microblading, recent tint), and sensitivities.
Guard the skin: Cleanse thoroughly and apply barrier cream around the brows.
Process with restraint: Adjust timing by hair type—fine needs less, coarse needs more, but never overcook.
Shape with intention: Brush into place while neutralizing. Don’t over-stretch.
Nourish: Finish with conditioning serums to keep brow hair supple.
Aftercare: Keep brows dry and undisturbed for 24–48 hours; avoid harsh products that first week.

How to Display Brow Lamination Skills on Your Resume

9. Electrolysis

A fine probe delivers current into the follicle to destroy growth cells—done hair by hair for permanent removal. Typically performed by licensed electrologists; scope and licensing vary by region.

Why It's Important

It’s the permanent option for all hair colors and skin tones. For clients who want certainty, this is it.

How to Improve Electrolysis Skills

Comfort, accuracy, and hygiene:

Modality mastery: Galvanic, thermolysis, blend—choose based on hair depth and client tolerance.
Precision insertions: Match probe size to hair, align with follicle angle, and control depth.
Refined timing: Enough energy to release the hair cleanly, not so much that skin protests.
Strict asepsis: Single-use sterile probes, disinfected surfaces, fresh gloves.
Pre/post advice: Hydration, caffeine limits, and calm post-care to reduce redness and speed recovery.
Know your laws: Work within licensing and supervision requirements in your area.

How to Display Electrolysis Skills on Your Resume

10. Microneedling

Tiny needles create controlled micro-injuries, spurring collagen and elastin. Texture softens, scars appear shallower, and skin looks more springy over time.

Why It's Important

It targets tone, texture, pores, and fine lines while boosting topical absorption. Results build in a series—subtle at first, then steadily better.

How to Improve Microneedling Skills

Safety and scope come first:

Work within the law: Many regions limit estheticians to cosmetic depths (often up to 0.25–0.5 mm). Deeper medical needling belongs under medical licensure.
Sterile setup: Single-use cartridges, disinfected device bodies, and strict barrier protocols.
Technique control: Even pressure, cross-hatch patterns, and no “drilling.” Uniform erythema is enough—blood is not the goal at cosmetic depths.
Topicals that play nice: Use bland, non-sensitizing hydrators during and after. Avoid fragrances and strong actives immediately post.
Screening: Hold off for active acne, infections, recent isotretinoin, keloid history, or poorly healed wounds.
Post-care: Gentle cleanse, barrier repair, and diligent sun protection for at least a week.

How to Display Microneedling Skills on Your Resume

11. Ultrasonic Cavitation

Low-frequency sound waves target fat cells, disrupting them so the body can process the byproducts. It’s a contouring adjunct, not a weight-loss plan.

Why It's Important

Non-surgical sculpting appeals to clients who want subtle shaping alongside healthy habits. Minimal downtime, measurable changes for the right candidates.

How to Improve Ultrasonic Cavitation Skills

Set expectations, then deliver:

Client selection: Localized pockets, stable weight, realistic goals. Manage expectations—they matter more than any setting.
Prep and parameters: Clean skin, proper conductive gel, and settings matched to area and tolerance.
Hydration + movement: Encourage water intake and light activity to support lymphatic clearance.
Stack wisely: Pair with lymphatic drainage or radiofrequency on separate sessions when appropriate.
Tracking: Circumference, photos, and session notes keep progress honest.
Compliance and safety: Follow device guidelines, screen contraindications (pregnancy, metal implants in area, certain medical conditions), and stay within your local scope.

How to Display Ultrasonic Cavitation Skills on Your Resume

12. Laser Hair Removal

Concentrated light targets pigment in the follicle to reduce regrowth over a series of sessions. Long-term reduction, smoother skin.

Why It's Important

High-value service with durable results. Clients love ditching razors and ingrowns—done safely, it builds trust and referrals.

How to Improve Laser Hair Removal Skills

Precision and protocols:

Legal scope: In many areas, lasers require medical licensure or supervision. Know and follow your local rules.
Skin typing and settings: Consider Fitzpatrick type, hair color, and thickness to choose wavelength and energy. Patch test when appropriate.
Prep correctly: Shave before treatment, avoid sun and self-tanners, and halt root-removing methods between sessions.
Cooling + protection: Integrated cooling, gels, and eye shields protect skin and comfort.
Series planning: Educate on hair growth cycles and realistic timelines. Spacing sessions improves outcomes.
Aftercare: Calm the skin, enforce strict sun avoidance, and watch for PIH risks—particularly on darker skin tones.

How to Display Laser Hair Removal Skills on Your Resume

Top 12 Esthetician Skills to Put on Your Resume