Skin Care Services: Cleansing, Facials and Basic Treatments
What this domain covers
This domain covers basic facial and skin-care services: cleansing, exfoliation, massage, masking, moisturising, and sun protection. The exam tests service order, skin-type adjustment, contraindications, and hygiene.
Core rules and concepts
- Begin with consultation and skin analysis. Identify dry, oily, combination, normal, or sensitive skin and note broken skin, active acne, or allergies.
- Cleanse with a suitable product, using gentle upward and outward movements. Remove eye make-up with a product and method that do not sting.
- Exfoliate only when suitable. Avoid scrubbing active acne, inflamed skin, or recent waxed or peeled skin.
- Steam should be at a safe distance and short duration; it softens the skin but can cause burns or redness if too hot.
- Extract blackheads only if trained and only on non-inflamed skin. Do not squeeze pustules.
- Massage with a lubricating product, using gentle pressure and avoiding the eye area.
- Apply a mask suited to the skin type, remove it correctly, then moisturise and apply sunscreen.
Worked example
A client with oily skin and a few blackheads asks for a facial. What sequence is appropriate?
Reasoning: The therapist should cleanse, use a mild exfoliant on non-inflamed areas, steam briefly, and extract only visible blackheads if trained. A clay-based mask can help absorb excess oil, followed by a light oil-free moisturiser and sunscreen. Heavy massage oil and harsh scrubbing should be avoided because they can worsen oiliness and irritation. The reasoning is that each step must match the skin condition, not follow a fixed routine.
Traps that cost marks
- Over-exfoliating or using hot steam on sensitive skin.
- Extracting inflamed acne or squeezing pustules.
- Skipping sunscreen after a facial.
- Using one facial routine for every skin type.