Facial Treatments and Massage Techniques
Standard sequence
Consultation and analysis, cleansing, exfoliation, steam and softener, extractions, massage, mask, toner and moisturizer, sun protection. A standard facial runs about 60 minutes with 15–20 minutes of massage. Steam should be comfortable and indirect, never hot enough to redden the skin, and skipped for clients with respiratory or vascular sensitivity.
Extractions
Only extract comedones and pustules after softening, using tissue-wrapped fingers or a properly sanitized extractor with gentle pressure. Never squeeze inflamed nodules, cysts, or areas of active infection; stop if the client reports sharp pain.
Massage movements
Effleurage is gliding; petrissage is kneading; tapotement is tapping; vibration is a fine tremor; friction is small circular pressure. Work upward and outward, follow lymph drainage toward the cervical nodes, keep pressure light on the neck, avoid pressure on the thyroid area, bony ridges, and swollen nodes, and always check the contraindication list: fever, cold or flu, recent surgery, contagious skin conditions, severe acne, sunburn, or recent injectables.
Trap: questions that place massage pressure directly on lymph nodes or that suggest extracting a cyst. Both are wrong answers.
Rule of thumb: if it hurts, stops, or bleeds, you are outside safe esthetic technique.