Facial Treatments, Cleansing, Exfoliation, and Facial Massage
Sequence of a facial
Consult and analyze, cleanse, exfoliate, extract if indicated, massage, mask, tone and treat, moisturize, protect with SPF, then review home care. Work with clean hands, a headband, and proper draping, and keep the room warm and quiet.
Cleansing and exfoliation
Remove eye and face makeup first, then cleanse with a product matched to the skin type using lukewarm water - hot water strips and dilates. Exfoliation is mechanical (scrubs, brushes) or chemical (AHAs, BHAs, enzymes). Choose one modality, respect the client's recent history, and never combine aggressive mechanical and strong chemical exfoliation in one visit.
Extractions
Soften the area with warm towels or steam, glove, and use gentle pressure on non-inflamed comedones only. Never squeeze inflamed, cystic, or deep lesions; stop at the first sign of blood. Apply a soothing antiseptic finish and document what was removed.
Massage
Classic movements are effleurage (gliding), petrissage (kneading), tapotement (percussion), friction, and vibration. Direction is generally upward and outward following muscle and lymphatic flow toward the nodes, with light pressure near the eyes and throat. Skip massage over inflamed acne, sunburn, recent peels, active infection, or undiagnosed swelling.
Masks and finishing
Clay for oily and congested skin, gel for sensitive or heated skin, cream for dry, sheet masks for hydration. Finish with serum, moisturizer, and SPF - never let a client leave without sun protection after exfoliation.
Traps
Massaging cystic acne, extracting inflamed lesions, skipping SPF, and using steam too hot or too long.
Rule of thumb
Cleanse, analyze, exfoliate, extract, massage, mask, protect - in that order.