Michigan esthetician scope of practice
What can an esthetician do in Michigan?
Michigan licenses estheticians as an Esthetician through the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Bureau of Professional Licensing. The basic esthetician license covers a listed set of skin care services, such as facials, body treatments, hands-only temporary hair removal, exfoliating dead skin cells, nonmedical grade chemical peels, and eyelash and eyebrow services, with those services limited to the stratum corneum where it applies. Below: whether that license covers microneedling, chemical peels, dermaplaning, laser and IPL, and Botox or fillers, each answered from Michigan's own statutes, board rules or board statements, read on October 27, 2026.
- Microneedling
- Not stated
- Chemical peels
- With conditions
- Dermaplaning
- With conditions
- Laser and IPL
- With conditions
- Botox and fillers
- Not stated
Licensed by Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Bureau of Professional Licensing.The board's page The state's own words
Microneedling
Can estheticians do microneedling in Michigan?
Not stated. Michigan's official pages we read do not settle whether a licensed esthetician may do microneedling. Ask LARA before you offer it.
Chemical peels
Can estheticians do chemical peels in Michigan?
Only with conditions. Nonmedical grade chemical peels are on the esthetician service list and must stay within the stratum corneum.
Dermaplaning
Can estheticians do dermaplaning in Michigan?
Only with conditions. Dermaplaning is listed as exfoliating dead skin cells only, and the service must stay within the stratum corneum.
Laser and IPL
Can estheticians do laser hair removal in Michigan?
Only with conditions. Laser use for dermatological purposes, which includes cosmetic skin and hair treatments, must be supervised by a licensed physician; the esthetician list covers only noninvasive light therapy and hands-only hair removal.
Botox and fillers
Can estheticians do Botox or fillers in Michigan?
Not stated. Injections such as Botox and fillers are not on the statutory list of esthetician services, and the official text does not say whether estheticians may perform them. Ask LARA before you offer it.
Advanced license
Does Michigan have a master esthetician license?
Michigan's official pages we read name no advanced or master esthetician license; the basic Esthetician license is the one that sets the scope.
Good to know
What else Michigan says about an esthetician's scope
- Estheticians must dispose of medical waste under part 138 of the Public Health Code.
- Lasers used for dermatological purposes, which include cosmetic skin and hair treatments, require physician supervision.
- Temporary hair removal is limited to hands-only techniques with the listed tools, so laser hair removal is not part of the esthetician list.
Sources
What Michigan's official pages say
Each answer above, in the words of Michigan's own statutes, board rules or board statements, read on October 27, 2026. Scope rules change and boards interpret them: confirm with LARA before you offer a treatment.
- The license and its scope
“The department shall issue a license as an esthetician to an individual who fulfills all of the following requirements:”
legislature.mi.gov “Subject to subsection (3), an esthetician or a cosmetologist may perform the following skin care services or combination of skin care services:”
legislature.mi.gov “As applicable, a skin care service described in subsection (2) must be limited to an individual's stratum corneum.”
legislature.mi.gov - Chemical peels
“Applying a nonmedical grade chemical peel.”
legislature.mi.gov - Dermaplaning
“Exfoliating only the dead skin cells of an individual, including, but not limited to, in the performance of dermaplaning or microdermabrasion.”
legislature.mi.gov - Laser and IPL
“A licensee, registrant, or other individual shall not perform any procedure using a laser for dermatological purposes unless the procedure is performed under the supervision of a licensed physician.”
legislature.mi.gov “the diagnosis and treatment of medically necessary and cosmetic conditions of the skin, hair, and nails”
legislature.mi.gov “An esthetician or cosmetologist who performs a light therapy service shall use only noninvasive light therapy that meets both of the following requirements:”
legislature.mi.gov “The temporary removal of hair from the body of an individual by using hands-only techniques in combination with depilatories, waxes, razors, scissors, clippers, thread, or tweezers.”
legislature.mi.gov - The board
“The Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) will never ask you to provide credit card numbers or other personal information by phone, text, email, or mail.”
michigan.gov - Also good to know
“An esthetician or cosmetologist who performs a skin care service shall comply with part 138 of the public health code, 1978 PA 368, MCL 333.13801 to 333.13832, for the disposal of medical waste.”
legislature.mi.gov
Questions
Michigan esthetician license, answered
What is the esthetician scope of practice in Michigan?
Plan the rest
Licensed, in scope, and ready to book clients
- The Michigan esthetician license: training hours, exams, fees and renewal
- Lash extensions, brow lamination, waxing and threading in Michigan: which license each needs
- Microblading and permanent makeup in Michigan: the license it needs
- Opening your own skin care studio in Michigan: the salon license
Esthetician scope in other states
Ready when you are
In scope? Fill the treatment room next
SalonAI plans the business side of a skin care practice in Michigan: a website clients can book from in one tap, deposits for longer treatments, intake and consent forms, your Google profile and Instagram, reviews and rebooking. Founden builds and runs it while you do the work.
Built with Founden. Review your setup and running costs before activation.