Esthetic Services and Procedures
The facial, in order
Consultation and skin analysis (with consent) → cleanse → exfoliate → steam and extractions if indicated → massage → mask → tone and moisturize → sunscreen in the morning. Products go thin to thick; extractions come after softening, not before; massage follows lymphatic direction and is avoided over active acne, sunburn, or recently injected areas per your training.
Contraindications and traps
Isotretinoin (Accutane) means no waxing and no aggressive exfoliation until roughly six months after the last dose; topical retinoids and acids require a pause before waxing (commonly 3–7 days, depending on the product); no waxing over broken skin, varicose veins, moles, or sunburn. Active cold sores, impetigo, or conjunctivitis mean no service. Pregnancy, diabetes, and photosensitizing medications call for gentler protocols and physician clearance when in doubt. Questions love "the client insists" - the answer is to decline and document.
Hair removal and makeup
Wax is tested on your inner wrist, applied in the direction of growth and removed against it while skin is held taut; patch test 24–48 hours ahead for first-timers. Threading and tweezing are in-scope alternatives. For makeup, match undertone (warm, cool, neutral) and use the color wheel to neutralize - green over redness, peach or orange over blue-brown shadow - and never double-dip: use a spatula, a palette, disposable wands, and sharpened pencils.
Rule of thumb: if a service requires breaking the skin barrier, diagnosing, or a medical device, it is not esthetics. Example: a client on isotretinoin asks for a brow wax; you decline, note the medication in the record, and offer tweezing instead.