Facial Treatments, Cleansing, Exfoliation, and Extractions
Facial treatment questions test sequencing, sanitation, appropriate exfoliation, safe extraction, and aftercare. The exam wants the least aggressive effective plan, not a recipe.
Standard sequence
- Analyze skin, cleanse, exfoliate, steam if appropriate, extract, massage, apply mask, moisturize, and finish with SPF.
- Exfoliation may be manual, enzymatic, or chemical; choose based on sensitivity and barrier status.
- Steam softens comedones but should be brief and avoided with rosacea, sensitive skin, or recent peels.
- Extract only pustules and comedones that are ready; never squeeze nodules, cysts, or inflamed lesions. Hold skin taut and use gentle pressure.
- Contraindications include active infection, open lesions, recent surgery, sunburn, and known product allergy.
Worked example
An oily client has closed comedones but no inflammation. The esthetician cleanses, uses a mild enzyme exfoliant, applies warm steam briefly, extracts only softened comedones, applies a clay mask, then an oil-free moisturizer and SPF. Reasoning: the plan targets congestion without damaging the barrier or spreading bacteria.
Traps that cost marks
- Over-steaming or using harsh scrubs.
- Extracting cystic acne.
- Skipping SPF after exfoliation.
- Using the same spatula or extractor without disinfection.
- Treating every client with the same mask.