Professional Ethics
Professional Ethics
This domain tests how a beauty therapist applies consent, confidentiality, honesty, scope of practice and fair dealing in a salon. CHSE Odisha expects candidates to distinguish professional standards from personal opinion and to protect both client and therapist.
Core rules
- Obtain informed consent before any service, photograph, or sharing of images; explain risks, alternatives and aftercare.
- Keep client records confidential; do not discuss names, conditions or images in public or on social media without written permission.
- Work only within your training. A beauty therapist may recognise a skin or scalp abnormality but must not diagnose or treat a medical condition; refer to a doctor or dermatologist.
- Be honest about achievable results, product shelf life and pricing. Never guarantee permanent hair removal, cure of acne, or removal of pigmentation.
- Charge a quoted price; disclose add-ons before service. Avoid discrimination and dual relationships; keep professional boundaries.
- Follow infection control and waste rules even when a client asks you to skip them.
Worked example
A client asks you to squeeze a large, painful boil on her cheek before a facial. Reasoning: a boil is an infection, not a comedone. Extraction would spread bacteria and risk scarring. You explain the scope limit, do not lance or squeeze, and refer her to a doctor. You record the refusal and advice on the client card. This protects the client and demonstrates ethical practice.
Traps that cost marks
- Treating confidentiality as optional when a celebrity or friend asks.
- Giving a medical diagnosis such as 'that is eczema' instead of 'this needs medical review'.
- Using before-and-after photos without a signed release.
- Promising a specific outcome to win a booking.
- Discussing one client's treatment with another client.