Facial Treatments and Skincare
Domain 4 tests treatment planning and safe delivery of facials: preparation, cleansing, exfoliation, massage, masks, moisturising, sun protection and homecare, with contraindications applied to each step.
Protocol and rationale
- Prepare trolley, sanitise hands, cleanse and analyse the skin.
- Exfoliate gently according to skin condition; avoid scrubs on inflamed acne, rosacea or barrier damage.
- Use steam cautiously; keep it away from sensitive or rosacea-prone skin and never leave the client unattended.
- Extract only if trained and the lesion is suitable; never extract inflamed or undiagnosed lesions.
- Massage with effleurage, petrissage and tapotement as appropriate; avoid over active infection, recent surgery, severe acne, unexplained swelling or suspected thrombosis.
- Apply a mask matched to the skin, then moisturiser and SPF.
Client communication
Explain each sensation, check comfort and give aftercare: avoid heat, harsh products and sun exposure; use homecare as advised.
Worked example: A client with rosacea requests a hot steam, strong scrub and vigorous massage. Reasoning: heat, friction and vigorous massage can trigger flushing and barrier irritation. Use lukewarm water, no scrub, gentle massage and a calming mask; explain why the original request is unsuitable.
Traps: over-exfoliating; steaming sensitive skin; massaging over infection; extracting undiagnosed lesions; skipping SPF and aftercare.