Skin Care and Facial Services
This domain tests client screening, skin analysis, safe massage manipulations, and knowing when a service must stop and a client must be referred.
Analysis and contraindications
Classify skin as normal, dry, oily, combination or sensitive, and note Fitzpatrick type because it predicts reactivity. Absolute stop signs include active cold sores or other infection, open lesions, sunburn, recent waxing, peel or dermabrasion, and use of isotretinoin within the past six months, which thins skin and delays healing. Pregnancy, diabetes and uncontrolled hypertension call for modified service or physician clearance.
The service sequence
Cleanse, analyze, exfoliate (physical or chemical per label), steam briefly, extract only superficial comedones and pustules, massage, mask, then moisturize and protect. Massage manipulations are effleurage (gliding), petrissage (kneading), tapotement (percussion), friction and vibration. Masks are chosen by need: clay for oil control, hydrating gel or cream for dryness.
Safety habits
Sanitize hands before and after. Remove product with a spatula; never double-dip. Test wax temperature on your wrist and patch test sensitive clients.
Worked example
A client on isotretinoin requests brow waxing and extractions before a wedding. Reasoning: both services remove skin and this medication compromises barrier repair, so the risk of tearing and scarring is real. Decline both, document the refusal, offer a gentle cleanse and moisturize instead, and suggest she ask her prescriber when the medication has cleared.
Traps that cost marks
Extracting cystic or inflamed lesions, working over a cold sore, using hot steam on reactive skin, and failing to document a refusal.