Delaware esthetician scope of practice
What can an esthetician do in Delaware?
Delaware licenses estheticians as an Aesthetician through the Delaware Board of Cosmetology and Barbering. A Delaware aesthetician may cleanse, stimulate, manipulate and beautify skin, apply lash extensions, remove superfluous hair and give skin-health treatments, but may not prescribe medication or give medical treatment the way a dermatologist does. Below: whether that license covers microneedling, chemical peels, dermaplaning, laser and IPL, and Botox or fillers, each answered from Delaware's own statutes, board rules or board statements, read on October 27, 2026.
- Microneedling
- Not allowed
- Chemical peels
- With conditions
- Dermaplaning
- With conditions
- Laser and IPL
- Not allowed
- Botox and fillers
- Not allowed
Licensed by Delaware Board of Cosmetology and Barbering.The board's page The state's own words
Microneedling
Can estheticians do microneedling in Delaware?
No. Delaware sanitation rules say no person may penetrate the skin with metal needles, except electrolysis needles, so microneedling with metal needles is outside an esthetician's license.
Chemical peels
Can estheticians do chemical peels in Delaware?
Only with conditions. Peels may remove only the epidermis, using commercially available products that are not mixed; the rules list glycolic, salicylic, mandelic, citric, lactic and azelaic acids as approved peels, alpha hydroxy acids at pH 3.5 or above.
Dermaplaning
Can estheticians do dermaplaning in Delaware?
Only with conditions. Dermaplaning is not named in the rules; the scope covers removing superfluous hair, and facial skin may be removed only down to the epidermis, for beautification.
Laser and IPL
Can estheticians do laser hair removal in Delaware?
No. Delaware sanitation rules prohibit the use of laser technology for hair removal. The rules do not address laser or IPL skin treatments or IPL hair removal.
Botox and fillers
Can estheticians do Botox or fillers in Delaware?
No. Delaware sanitation rules say no person may penetrate the skin with metal needles, except electrolysis needles, so needle injections such as Botox or fillers are outside an esthetician's license.
Advanced license
Does Delaware have a master esthetician license?
Delaware's official pages we read name no advanced or master esthetician license; the basic Aesthetician license is the one that sets the scope.
Good to know
What else Delaware says about an esthetician's scope
- Premises offering any aesthetics service need a Board shop license before they operate.
- Hair removal may be performed only by a licensed cosmetologist or a licensed aesthetician.
- Under the sanitation rules, any procedure that punctures or breaks the skin is treated as invasive.
Sources
What Delaware's official pages say
Each answer above, in the words of Delaware's own statutes, board rules or board statements, read on October 27, 2026. Scope rules change and boards interpret them: confirm with the Delaware Board of Cosmetology and Barbering before you offer a treatment.
- The license and its scope
“Subchapter II. Aesthetician License”
delcode.delaware.gov “Cleansing, stimulating, manipulating and beautifying skin by hand or mechanical or electric apparatus or appliance.”
delcode.delaware.gov “Application of lash extensions, additions or enhancements, including permanent waving and tinting.”
delcode.delaware.gov “Removal of superfluous hair.”
delcode.delaware.gov “An aesthetician is not authorized to prescribe medication or provide medical treatment in the same manner as a dermatologist.”
delcode.delaware.gov - Microneedling
“Penetration of the skin by metal needles, except electrolysis needles”
regulations.delaware.gov “No person may perform any act which affects the structure or function of living tissue of the face or body. Any such act shall be considered an invasive procedure.”
regulations.delaware.gov - Chemical peels
“Only the non-living, uppermost layers of facial skin, known as the epidermis, may, by any method or means, be removed, and then only for the purpose of beautification.”
regulations.delaware.gov “Only commercially available products for the removal of facial skin for the purpose of beautification may be used.”
regulations.delaware.gov “Acids, to include 1 or more of the following approved peels (alpha hydroxyl aids 3.5 pH or above:”
regulations.delaware.gov - Laser and IPL
“The use of laser technology for hair removal is prohibited.”
regulations.delaware.gov - The board
“The Board regulates the practice of these areas: cosmetology, barbering, aesthetics, electrology and nail technology.”
dpr.delaware.gov - Also good to know
“No person, firm, corporation, partnership or other legal entity shall operate, maintain or use premises for the offering or rendering of any 1 or more of the services encompassed in the definition of aesthetics without first having secured a shop license from the Board.”
delcode.delaware.gov - Also good to know
“Hair removal shall be performed by a licensed cosmetologist or licensed aesthetician only.”
regulations.delaware.gov - Also good to know
“means entry into the body either by incision or insertion of an instrument into or through the skin or mucosa, or by any other means intended to puncture, break or compromise the skin or mucosa.”
regulations.delaware.gov
Questions
Delaware esthetician license, answered
What is the esthetician scope of practice in Delaware?
Plan the rest
Licensed, in scope, and ready to book clients
- The Delaware esthetician license: training hours, exams, fees and renewal
- Lash extensions, brow lamination, waxing and threading in Delaware: which license each needs
- Microblading and permanent makeup in Delaware: the license it needs
- Opening your own skin care studio in Delaware: the salon license
Esthetician scope in other states
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