Esthetician Scope of Practice

Our healthcare law firm works with many providers and healthcare practices to assist them in complying with federal, state, and local laws. In particular, our med spa clients often ask whether they can hire estheticians to perform certain procedures within their med spa. Estheticians have a defined scope of practice under state law, and having estheticians perform procedures outside their scope of practice carries legal risk. This blog covers some main points about an esthetician’s scope of practice, particularly in Georgia. If you are an esthetician considering to open up a med spa, planning to hire an esthetician as part of your med spa, or would like to discuss this blog post, you may contact our healthcare law firm at (404) 685-1662 (Atlanta) or (706) 722-7886 (Augusta), or by email, info@littlehealthlaw.com. You may also learn more about our law firm by visiting www.littlehealthlaw.com.

Estheticians Are Prohibited from Performing Medical Aesthetics Procedures Under Georgia Law.

Med spas have been recently advertising “medical aesthetics” services. Georgia law does not define “medical aesthetics,” but medical aesthetics can refer to dermal fillers, Botox injections, micro needling, and chemical peels. The Georgia Composite Medical Board has said that estheticians cannot apply dermal fillers or neurotoxins, such as Botox. Georgia law also states that esthetics does not include the “therapy of any dermatological condition or medical aesthetics[.]”

Georgia law specifically defines the scope of practice for estheticians. Estheticians are allowed to massage the face, neck, or arms; trim, tweeze, shape, or thread eyebrows; dye eyelashes or eyebrows; apply eyelash extensions; or wax, thread, stimulate, cleanse, or beautify the face, neck, arms, torso, or legs with hands or a mechanical or electrical apparatus.

Estheticians Can Perform Laser Services if They Have a Laser License.

Estheticians can only tip into medical procedures if they have a laser license; otherwise, medical services cannot be delegated to estheticians. Estheticians are able to apply for an assistant laser practitioner license who are able only to perform cosmetic laser services, which include laser hair removal, cosmetic light-based skin care, and photo rejuvenation. These laser services do not reach underneath the dermal layer of the skin.

If you are an esthetician wanting to set up a med spa, plan to hire an esthetician as part of your med spa practice, or would like to discuss this blog post, you may contact our healthcare law firm at (404) 685-1662 (Atlanta) or (706) 722-7886 (Augusta), or by email, info@littlehealthlaw.com. You may also learn more about our law firm by visiting www.littlehealthlaw.com.

 

 

 

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