Facial Treatments and Skin Care
Facial Treatments and Skin Care
This domain tests consultation, skin analysis, sequence of a facial, product choice and contraindications. The exam favours gentle, evidence-informed steps.
Core rules
- Begin with consultation: medical history, allergies, medications, pregnancy, recent peels, waxing and sun exposure.
- Analyse skin type and condition: dry, oily, combination, sensitive, dehydrated, acne, pigmentation, ageing.
- Standard sequence: cleanse, exfoliate if suitable, steam briefly and only if suitable, extract soft comedones, massage, mask, moisturise, protect with SPF.
- Avoid harsh scrubs on active acne, eczema, rosacea or broken skin. Do not extract inflamed lesions, nodules or cysts; refer.
- Use lukewarm water, gentle pressure and clean tools. Remove product completely; finish with SPF in the morning.
- Contraindications include active infection, recent surgery, uncontrolled diabetes, severe allergic reaction and some pregnancy restrictions.
Worked example
An oily, acne-prone client requests a 'deep cleansing with strong scrub and extractions'. Reasoning: inflamed papules are not safe to extract, and a coarse scrub can rupture them and spread bacteria. Plan: gentle gel cleanser, salicylic acid toner only if tolerated, soft comedone extraction, non-comedogenic moisturiser, SPF. Refer cystic acne to a dermatologist.
Traps
- Steaming sensitive skin for a long time.
- Extracting a pustule or cyst.
- Promising to 'close pores' or 'cure acne'.
- Massaging over active infection or recent fillers.
- Skipping SPF because the client is indoors.