Facial Treatments, Cleansing, and Massage
Structure of a facial
Prepare the space, wash hands, drape the client, and remove eye makeup with a product appropriate to the eye area. Cleanse according to skin type - gel or foamy for oily, cream or milk for dry and mature - using gentle upward and outward strokes and enough product to glide without tugging. Follow with toner if used, exfoliation suited to the analysis, optional steam (keep the distance and duration comfortable and skip steam for rosacea, sensitive, or reactive skin), extractions only of non-inflamed comedones and only within your scope, a massage, a mask, moisturizer, and sunscreen.
Massage manipulations
Effleurage (gliding), petrissage (kneading), tapotement (percussion), friction, and vibration. Begin and end with effleurage; work in the direction of lymph drainage with light, even pressure; keep movements rhythmic and matched to the client's preference. Avoid massage over inflamed acne, active infection, recent surgery, sunburn, or varicose veins, and modify for clients with medical conditions.
Finishing
Remove products completely, protect the skin with SPF, and give realistic home care instructions. Record products, timing, and reactions.
Traps: massage is not automatically safe - contraindicating conditions matter; extractions do not include squeezing pustules or nodules; steam is not required for every facial; over-cleansing does not improve oily skin.
Rule of thumb: open with effleurage, close with effleurage, and never massage tissue that is hot, inflamed, broken, or painful.