Skin analysis and facial treatments
Domain 5 tests whether you can analyse skin accurately, distinguish type from condition, select products, sequence a facial and adapt or stop when contraindications appear. The exam favours client scenarios where the obvious treatment is not the correct one.
Analysis
- Use visual inspection, palpation, magnifying lamp and a thorough consultation; note texture, pore size, hydration, oiliness, sensitivity, pigmentation and vascularity.
- Fitzpatrick types I–VI describe sun reactivity and guide UV and laser caution; they are not the same as skin type.
- Skin types are normal, dry, oily, combination and sensitive. Conditions include dehydration, acne, rosacea, pigmentation and ageing; a client can be oily and dehydrated at the same time.
Facial sequence
- Prepare the area, cleanse, analyse, exfoliate, steam if appropriate, extract if appropriate, massage, apply a mask, tone, moisturise and protect with SPF.
- Adapt products to the diagnosis: gel cleanser and non-comedogenic moisturiser for oily skin; fragrance-free, barrier-supporting products for sensitive skin.
- Steam softens sebum and facilitates extraction, but it is not suitable for rosacea, sensitive skin or recent peels.
Contraindications
- Active infection, open lesions, sunburn, recent waxing, peels or laser, and uncontrolled skin disease.
- Electrical facials: pacemaker, metal implants, pregnancy, epilepsy and heart conditions require caution or avoidance.
- Pregnancy: avoid certain essential oils and electrical modalities; check product guidance.
Worked example
A client has an oily T-zone, tight dry cheeks and visible dehydration lines. The therapist identifies combination skin with dehydration rather than dry skin. She uses a mild gel cleanser, gentle exfoliation, short steam on the T-zone only, no steam on the cheeks, light massage and a non-comedogenic moisturiser with SPF. Extraction is limited to visible comedones after softening. The reasoning is that dehydration is a condition, not a type, and the plan must treat both oiliness and barrier hydration without over-stripping.
Traps that cost marks
- Calling dehydration a skin type.
- Steaming rosacea or sensitive skin.
- Extracting without softening the skin first.
- Heavy massage on pustular acne.
- Using hot towels on reactive skin.
- Failing to patch test a new product.