Skin Care and Facial Treatments
Facial questions test whether you can analyse skin, choose products that match the analysis, sequence a treatment and recognise when not to treat.
Analysis and product logic
- Cleanse, then examine under a magnifying lamp: texture, pore size, oiliness, hydration, sensitivity, pigmentation, vascularity and lesions.
- The Fitzpatrick scale I-VI estimates burning and tanning response and guides waxing, laser referral and sun advice.
- Product pH matters: skin sits near pH 4.5-5.5, so harsh alkaline soaps disrupt the barrier.
- Sequence: consultation, cleansing, exfoliation, steam if suitable, extraction, massage, mask, moisturiser, SPF.
Contraindications
Active infection, open lesions, recent waxing or peel, sunburn, uncontrolled eczema or psoriasis, pregnancy (certain essential oils, electrical equipment), pacemakers and metal implants (galvanic or electrical), recent surgery. Refer rather than treat.
Worked example
A client has an oily T-zone, visible pores and tight, flaky cheeks. Reasoning: the shine indicates excess sebum while the flaking and tightness indicate a compromised barrier, not simply dry skin. A clay mask over the whole face would worsen the cheeks. The correct plan is a mild cleanser, gentle enzyme exfoliation, clay on the T-zone only, a hydrating mask on the cheeks, and a light oil-free moisturiser with SPF.
Traps that cost marks
Steaming a client with rosacea or broken capillaries; over-extracting and causing bruising; massaging over active acne; skipping the SPF step; using one mask for every skin type.