Facial Treatments
This section covers Facial Treatments. The exam checks the sequence of a professional facial, product selection, contraindications and safe extraction.
Standard sequence
Consult and record skin history, allergies and medications. Patch-test products when needed. Cleanse, exfoliate gently, steam for a few minutes, extract only softened blackheads, massage, apply a mask, tone, moisturise and finish with sunscreen. Keep steam at a comfortable distance, commonly about 20–30 cm, and protect the eyes. Use fresh gauze, disposable extractors or sterilized tools. Choose masks by skin type: clay for oily skin, hydrating gel for dry skin, calming mask for sensitive skin.
Contraindications
Avoid or modify treatment for active infection, open wounds, severe inflamed acne, sunburn, recent surgery, known product allergy, and uncontrolled medical conditions. Do not extract pustules or moles. If a client reports a reaction, stop and remove product.
Worked example
A client has several red, inflamed pustules and wants a deep-cleansing facial with extraction. The correct plan is gentle cleansing, cool compresses, a calming mask and referral to a dermatologist; no steam, no massage over pustules and no extraction. Reason: inflamed lesions can worsen and spread infection if squeezed.
Traps
Over-steaming, extracting without softening, massaging over acne, and using one mask for every skin type lose marks. Always remove all product and check for allergies before starting.