Which layer of skin are estheticians licensed to work on?

Estheticians are trained and licensed to work specifically on the outermost layer of the skin, known as the stratum corneum. This layer consists of dead skin cells that have been shed from the skin's surface and acts as a barrier to protect the underlying layers. The primary focus of estheticians is to perform services that enhance the appearance and health of this external layer, such as facials, exfoliation, and skin treatments.

In contrast, the dermis contains crucial components like connective tissue, hair follicles, and sweat glands, which estheticians do not treat directly. The stratum granulosum is a deeper layer involved in the process of keratinization and is not typically manipulated during standard esthetic procedures. The hypodermis, being the deepest layer, consists mostly of fat and connective tissues and is also beyond the scope of esthetic practice. Therefore, the focus on the stratum corneum aligns perfectly with the scope of practice for estheticians, highlighting their expertise in enhancing the skin's surface.