Skin Analysis, Disorders, and Contraindications
Domain 3 - Skin Analysis, Disorders, and Contraindications
The exam wants you to gather information, classify skin correctly, separate a condition you may treat from a disorder you must refer, and screen for contraindications before you touch the client.
Analysis tools
Intake form and interview (medications, allergies, pregnancy, recent procedures); visual assessment in good light; palpation for texture and oiliness; magnifying lamp for comedones and capillaries. Wood's lamp readings: blue-white suggests normal hydration, yellow suggests oil, violet suggests dehydration, brown suggests pigmentation, coral-pink suggests acne bacteria.
Type versus condition
Type is genetic - normal, dry, oily, combination, with sensitive as a variant. A condition is temporary: dehydration, sun damage, acne, aging. Treat the condition, respect the type.
Disorders to refer
ABCDE moles, signs of basal or squamous cell carcinoma, cysts, rosacea in flare, impetigo, herpes simplex, conjunctivitis, ringworm, undiagnosed rashes, anything painful or rapidly changing. Estheticians recognize and refer; diagnosing is outside scope.
Contraindications
Active infection or cold sore, open lesions, recent surgery or peel, sunburn, isotretinoin, prescription retinoids, blood thinners, and pregnancy where certain ingredients or electrical modalities are involved.
Worked example
A client with a visible cold sore on the lip wants a lip and chin wax. Herpes simplex is contagious, and waxing can spread it and tear fragile skin. Decline the service, explain why, and reschedule after the lesion has fully healed.
Traps
Extracting a cyst or lancing milia with a needle is medical. Never treat a wheal or a vesicle as acne. 'Sensitive skin' is not a licence to skip the patch test.