Skin Care and Esthetics
Layers and barriers
Esthetics questions reward knowing skin anatomy and what each layer does. The epidermis is the protective outer layer, with the stratum corneum as the barrier; the dermis holds collagen, elastin, nerves, and glands; subcutaneous tissue cushions. Skin types (normal, dry, oily, combination, sensitive) describe oil and moisture behavior; Fitzpatrick phototypes I-VI describe how skin responds to ultraviolet exposure and predict burning risk - questions often swap the two terms.
The service flow
Consultation and contraindication screening come first: contagious conditions, open lesions, inflammation, recent surgery or waxing-related medications (such as isotretinoin) mean no service or a referral. Then cleansing, exfoliation (physical or chemical - AHAs and BHAs), massage manipulations (effleurage, petrissage, tapotement, vibration, friction), extraction of comedones only, masks, moisturizer, and sun protection. Makeup and lash or brow tinting require their own patch test and sanitation discipline.
Traps
Massaging over inflamed or contagious skin; extracting pustules rather than comedones; using hot towels on sensitive or couperose skin; treating a Fitzpatrick question as a skin-type question; and forgetting that estheticians do not diagnose - suspicious lesions are referred out.
Rule of thumb
If it is inflamed, contagious, or undiagnosed, you do not treat it - you refer. Worked example: a client with a raised, irregular, dark-edged mole asks for exfoliation over the area. Decline the service on that area, document the observation neutrally, and recommend a physician evaluation; proceed only with areas that are healthy.