Skin Care and Esthetics
What this domain tests
Esthetics items test skin analysis, consultation, contraindications, treatment sequence, ingredient awareness, and sanitation.
Core concepts
- Skin types: normal, dry, oily, combination, and sensitive. Fitzpatrick I–VI estimates sun response and guides caution with light-based treatment.
- Consultation: ask about medications, allergies, pregnancy, recent peels, retinoids, and isotretinoin. Document answers.
- Contraindications: active cold sore, sunburn, open lesions, waxing over isotretinoin or recently exfoliated skin, and certain electrical treatments.
- Treatment order: cleanse, analyze, exfoliate, steam if appropriate, extract, massage, mask, moisturize, and protect with SPF.
- Ingredients: AHAs and BHAs exfoliate; retinol increases cell turnover; vitamin C is an antioxidant; hyaluronic acid holds water. Patch-test and follow label limits.
Worked example
A client taking isotretinoin requests a brow wax. Isotretinoin thins skin and delays healing, so waxing can tear skin. Decline the wax, explain the risk, and offer tweezing or a service that does not remove skin. Document the refusal and the alternative.
Traps that cost marks
Do not extract inflamed or cystic lesions. Do not treat rosacea as ordinary acne. Do not make medical diagnoses or claims that a product cures a condition. Do not double-dip spatulas or reuse disposable applicators.