Client Consultation and Professional Practices
The consultation flow
Greet, drape, and consult before touching the client. The intake form captures health history, medications, allergies, pregnancy, past reactions, and prior treatments. Follow with skin analysis, a proposed treatment plan, and informed consent. After the service, give aftercare instructions and document everything: products used, findings, consent, and any reaction.
Red flags to screen
Isotretinoin (often within the past six months), topical retinoids, recent chemical peels or laser, waxing or dermabrasion over the same area, active infection or herpes, sunburn, blood thinners, keloid history, and known allergies to wax, fragrance, latex, or nickel. When in doubt, postpone and refer.
Scope and honesty
Estheticians do not diagnose or treat disease. Describe what you observe and refer asymmetry, irregular borders, multiple colors, diameter over a pencil eraser, or a changing lesion to a physician using the ABCDE signs. Never promise specific results or guarantee outcomes, and never remove or treat a mole.
Ethics and records
Keep client information confidential, respect the right to refuse or stop a service at any time, and use proper draping and privacy. Minors generally need parental consent per establishment policy. Keep records for the period your employer sets and document adverse reactions factually and promptly.
Trap watch
Questions test whether you would diagnose rosacea, guarantee a peel result, or skip consent because the client is a regular. Answer no to all three - returning clients still need new consent for new products or treatments.
Rule of thumb
If a condition would be treated with a prescription, it is a referral, not a facial.