Can estheticians in South Dakota perform massages?

In South Dakota, estheticians are not permitted to perform massages unless they hold a massage therapist license as well. This regulation outlines the scope of practice for estheticians, which is specifically focused on skin care services such as facials, hair removal, and makeup application.

The requirement for a separate massage therapy license ensures that individuals performing massage have received specialized training in anatomy, physiology, and the techniques necessary for safe and effective massage therapy. This distinction is important for the protection of public health and safety, as improper massage techniques can potentially lead to injury.

While estheticians may provide certain forms of treatment that might resemble massage (such as facial massage as part of a skincare routine), these are not considered to be in the same category as therapeutic massage, necessitating the additional certification. Thus, without a massage therapy license, estheticians are limited in this aspect of their practice.