Facial Treatments and Massage
A facial is a sequence, and the exam tests whether you can justify each step and stop when the skin says stop.
Sequence
Consult and analyze; cleanse; exfoliate; steam or warm compress; extract within scope; massage; mask; tone and moisturize; protect with SPF. Each step has a purpose, and each can become a contraindication.
Massage manipulations
Effleurage is gliding, used to open and close; petrissage is kneading; tapotement is percussion; friction is small circular pressure; vibration is fine shaking. Work in the direction of muscle and lymphatic flow with steady pressure and supported contact. Draining movements are light; do not press on the carotid sinus, the eyes, or inflamed tissue.
Extractions
Extract only visible comedones and pustules that are ready; never squeeze cysts, nodules, or undiagnosed lesions. Use gentle pressure with fingers wrapped in tissue or a comedone extractor, and stop if there is pain or blood.
Contraindications
Avoid or modify for open lesions, active infection, sunburn, recent peels or waxing, uncontrolled skin disease, and anything requiring medical clearance. Heat and massage are contraindicated over inflammation.
Worked example
A client with several inflamed cysts asks for a "deep cleaning." Reasoning: cysts are not extractable comedones; squeezing spreads inflammation and risks scarring. The plan is a gentle cleanse, light massage avoiding the lesions, a soothing mask, and referral.
Traps
Extracting everything to satisfy the client; steaming too hot or too long; massaging over pustules; skipping a patch test on a first-time mask; failing to document what you did.