According to Illinois State Law...The following is from  the Illinois Cosmetology Act.  For more information click this button ...

Q.  What is an aesthetician?

A.  The following is taken from the Illinois Act pertaining to aestheticians (225 ILCS 410/3A-1)  *NOTE*  Laws change all the time and regulations for aestheticians vary by state so be sure to stay tuned to your state's laws! 

1. Aesthetics and aesthetician defined. (A) Any person who for compensation, whether direct or indirect, including tips, engages in the following practices engages in the practice of aesthetics: 1. Beautifying, massaging, cleansing, exfoliating the stratum corneum of the epidermis or stimulating the skin of the human body, except the scalp, by the use of cosmetic preparations, body treatments, body wraps, the use of hydrotherapy, antiseptics, tonics, lotions or creams or any device, electrical or otherwise, for the care of the skin; 2. Applying make-up or eyelashes to any person, tinting eyelashes and eyebrows and lightening hair on the body except the scalp; and 3. Removing superfluous hair from the body of any person by the use of depilatories, waxing or tweezers. However, aesthetics does not include the services provided by a cosmetologist or electrologist. Aestheticians are prohibited from performing any procedure which may puncture or abrade the skin below the stratum corneum of the epidermis or remove closed milia (whiteheads) which may draw blood or serous body fluid. The term aesthetics includes rendering advice on what is cosmetically appealing, but no person licensed under this Act shall render advice on what is appropriate medical treatment for diseases of the skin. (B) "Aesthetician" means any person who, with hands or mechanical or electrical apparatus or appliances, engages only in the use of cosmetic preparations, body treatments, body wraps, hydrotherapy, makeup, antiseptics, tonics, lotions, creams or other preparations or in the practice of massaging, cleansing, exfoliating the stratum corneum of the epidermis, stimulating, manipulating, beautifying, grooming or similar work on the face, neck, arms and hands or body in a superficial mode, and not for the treatment of medical disorders. (Source: P.A. 91-863, eff. 7-1-00.)