Esthetician Services: A Complete List by Category

The short answer

A licensed esthetician performs non-invasive skin and hair-removal services: facials, exfoliation, extractions, chemical peels, waxing and sugaring, lash and brow work, body treatments, and makeup application. Master estheticians and those working under medical supervision add device-based treatments. Anything reaching the dermis generally sits outside a basic license.

Facial treatments

Classic or signature facial (60 minutes). Double cleanse, steam, exfoliation, manual extraction, mask, and finishing moisturizer with SPF. The baseline diagnostic appointment at any new studio.

Acne and clarifying facial (60 to 75 minutes). Extended extraction, high-frequency, and a salicylic or sulfur mask. Usually sold as a monthly protocol rather than a single visit.

Hydrating and barrier-repair facial (60 minutes). Low-exfoliation, heavy on humectant serums and occlusive masks. The correct choice in winter or after over-exfoliation at home.

Anti-aging or firming facial (60 to 90 minutes). Peptide and antioxidant serums, often paired with microcurrent or LED. Results are cumulative across a series.

Back facial (45 to 60 minutes). The same protocol applied to the back, where congestion is common and self-treatment is impractical.

Gentleman's facial (60 minutes). Adapted around beard growth and ingrown hairs, typically with more emphasis on decongesting and less on finishing product.

Exfoliation and resurfacing

Chemical peels. Glycolic, lactic, salicylic, mandelic, and blended formulas at professional strength. Superficial peels give three to five days of flaking; deeper phenol and high-strength TCA work belongs to medical providers.

Microdermabrasion. Mechanical abrasion with crystals or a diamond tip plus vacuum suction, 30 to 45 minutes, no downtime.

Dermaplaning. A sterile blade removes vellus hair and surface dead cells. Commonly stacked before a mask or peel.

Hydradermabrasion. Wet resurfacing with simultaneous serum infusion. Gentler than dry microdermabrasion and popular before events.

Enzyme treatments. Fruit-derived enzymes such as papain and bromelain digest surface proteins. The mildest option for reactive skin.

Hair removal

Soft wax (strip wax). Applied thin and removed with a cloth strip. Efficient on large areas such as legs, arms, and back.

Hard wax (stripless). Applied thick, shrink-wraps the hair, and lifts off on its own. Preferred for face, underarm, and bikini work because it grips hair rather than skin.

Sugaring. A paste of sugar, lemon, and water applied against the growth and flicked off with it. Water-soluble, applied at body temperature, and often better tolerated on sensitive skin.

Threading. Twisted cotton thread lifts rows of hair at the follicle. Precise for brow shaping and used where wax is contraindicated, such as on retinoid users.

Common areas. Brows, lip, chin, sideburns, underarm, arm, half and full leg, bikini, Brazilian, chest, back, and full body. Hair should be roughly a quarter inch long for wax to grip.

Lash, brow, and finishing services

Lash extensions. Classic one-to-one, hybrid, and volume fans applied individually. A full set runs two to three hours with fills every two to three weeks.

Lash lift and tint. A perming solution curls the natural lash on a silicone shield, then tint darkens it. Lasts six to eight weeks.

Brow lamination. A relaxing solution redirects brow hairs upward for a fuller shape, holding four to six weeks.

Brow and lash tinting. Semi-permanent dye, two to four weeks on lashes and slightly longer on brows.

Makeup application. Event, bridal, and lesson-format services. Airbrush is offered where the license and studio equipment allow.

Spray tanning. DHA solution applied by hand-held gun or booth, developing over four to twelve hours.

Body treatments

Body scrubs and polishes. Salt or sugar exfoliation followed by a hydrating application, 45 to 60 minutes.

Body wraps. Clay, seaweed, or cream applied and cocooned for absorption. Marketed for smoothing and hydration, not for permanent inch loss.

Cellulite and contouring treatments. Mechanical massage, radiofrequency, and vacuum devices where state rules permit. Expect temporary smoothing rather than fat reduction.

Manual lymphatic drainage. Light rhythmic strokes to move fluid, common post-operatively when performed by a trained practitioner.

What a basic license does not cover

Scope of practice is set state by state, and the boundaries matter. Injectables, prescription-strength peels, laser hair removal in most states, microneedling depth beyond a superficial setting, and any procedure penetrating living tissue typically require a medical license, a master esthetics license, or direct physician supervision. In several states, laser and microneedling sit specifically with a master esthetician or a nurse. Ask a provider which license they hold and, for device work, who supervises. A studio that answers that question crisply is a studio that knows its own rules.

Pricing for esthetician services varies widely by state, studio type, and practitioner seniority, and we do not have verified national figures to publish here. Booking a service à la carte usually costs more per visit than a series or membership, and add-ons such as extended extraction, LED, or a peel upgrade are frequently billed separately from the base treatment.