Facial Treatments, Massage, and Advanced Care
The treatment sequence
A classic facial runs pre-cleanse, cleanse, analyze, exfoliate, steam (about 3–5 minutes, not until the client is flushed), extraction of non-inflamed comedones only, massage, mask, tone, moisturize, and protect with SPF. Each step has a purpose; questions often test whether you would skip steam on a client with rosacea or capillary fragility - yes, you would.
Massage vocabulary
Know effleurage (gliding), petrissage/kneading, tapotement (percussion), vibration, and friction. Movements generally travel upward and outward with light, even pressure; lymphatic work is feather-light and directional. Never massage over active acne, infection, inflammation, recent surgery, or undiagnosed lesions.
Advanced modalities
Chemical peels (AHA, BHA, TCA), microdermabrasion, dermaplaning, LED, microcurrent, high frequency, galvanic, ultrasound, and radiofrequency each carry contraindications: pregnancy, pacemakers and metal implants, epilepsy, photosensitivity, recent isotretinoin, and open skin. Depth of a peel depends on acid, concentration, pH, and time on skin - not on how much it stings.
Rule of thumb: if a device sends energy or current into the body, screen for implants and pregnancy before you plug it in.