Cosmetology, the study of the cosmetic treatment of hair, skin and nails, is a broad word that encompasses many things. When students enter a program to prepare them for a career in cosmetology, they require specific training for the treatment of hair, skin and nails. Cosmetology training in these three areas will prepare them for the state licensing exam that they will be required to take.

Cosmetologists spend much of their time working with people’s hair. Cosmetology training requires that a student learns how to cut, color and style hair. In addition to cutting, coloring and styling, cosmetologists are also trained in hair removal. Hair removal can be very painful, therefore special attention is given to client comfort, when students learn how to wax eyebrows, legs, backs, underarms and private areas. Some cosmetology in hair removal will also center on using electrolysis for hair removal.

Students receiving cosmetology training concentrating on skin care, also called esthiology, will learn how to analyze a client’s skin and recommend necessary or suggested treatments. Skin treatments will include exfoliation, pore cleansing and more. The skin treatments may be performed in a number of ways. Some of the most popular skin treatments are body wraps, facials and hydrotherapy. Some estheticians, or skin care specialists, concentrate on microdermabrasion, which is a procedure where the very top layer of skin is exfoliated by light abrasion to remove sun damage or scars.

Another area of skin care that cosmetology students receive cosmetology training in is make-up application. Cosmetologists learn how to use light and shadows to compliment their clients’ complexions. Additionally, they learn how to apply make-up to achieve different looks for their clients.

Cosmetology training in nail care is the final area that aspiring cosmetologists learn about when preparing for their future career. Nail care training primarily consists of manicures and pedicures, in which the hands or feet are soaked in water to soften so the cosmetologist can work to trim and care for cuticles and finish by shaping the nails and applying polish. If a student would like to specialize further, he or she is able to take cosmetology training to become a nail technician.

Nail technicians perform other services, in addition to manicures and pedicures. They are familiar with application of acrylic nails and gel nails. Nail technicians also learn how to do nail art such as adding adornments or airbrushing patterns onto nails.