Facials and Skin Treatments
Domain 2 - Facials and Skin Treatments - tests your ability to sequence a professional facial, select modalities safely, recognize contraindications, and document.
Standard sequence
Consult and consent; cleanse; analyze skin under good light; exfoliate as appropriate; perform extractions only if trained and within scope; massage; apply mask; moisturize; finish with sunscreen. Adjust for sensitivity, pregnancy, medications, and recent procedures.
Modalities
Steam softens comedones; keep it 3–5 minutes, at a comfortable distance, and never leave the client. Hot towels must be tested for temperature. High-frequency, galvanic, and microdermabrasion units require manufacturer training and strict contraindication checks. Extractions: gloved hands, softened skin, only pustules or open comedones-not cystic or inflamed lesions.
Contraindications and documentation
Defer service with fever, active infection, open lesions, sunburn, recent surgery, or uncontrolled skin disease. Record products, modalities, skin response, and referrals. Consent and notes protect client and licensee.
Worked example: A client asks you to “pop” a large, painful cyst. Do not extract it. Apply a warm compress if appropriate, explain the risk of scarring and infection, and refer to a dermatologist. Document the refusal and referral.
Traps: oversteaming; extracting without gloves; massaging over active acne or broken skin; using a mask that conflicts with the client’s retinoid use; forgetting sunscreen; failing to note a contraindication.