Facial Treatments, Massage, and Client Care
The sequence
The standard facial runs: consultation and consent, pre-cleanse, skin analysis, cleanse, exfoliate, steam if indicated, extractions, massage, mask, toner, moisturizer, and SPF. Each step has a purpose and each step has a contraindication check. Draping, privacy, hand hygiene, and a written record of products and observations are part of the service, not optional extras.
The five massage movements
Effleurage is gliding, and it opens and closes the massage. Petrissage is kneading. Tapotement is percussion (light, brisk tapping). Friction is small circular pressure. Vibration is fine shaking. Direction is generally upward and outward with light lymph movement toward the nodes - never heavy pressure on lymph nodes, arteries, or varicose veins. Pressure is always within the client's comfort and confirmed verbally.
Extractions
Only extract what should be extracted: softened closed comedones and gently expressed non-inflamed lesions after cleansing and steam. Never squeeze inflamed pustules, cysts, or nodules. Use fingertips wrapped in tissue or a properly disinfected extractor, and stop if the client is uncomfortable.
Contraindications for massage and treatment
Fever, contagious illness, severe inflammation, sunburn, recent surgery or injectables, active acne in the area, and certain medical conditions all modify or cancel the service. Clients on blood thinners bruise easily - lighten pressure or skip. Pregnancy warrants lighter pressure and avoiding certain points; confirm with the client.
Traps
Questions love to reverse the order (mask before massage) or place effleurage in the middle. Others offer a massage over an active breakout as "relaxing."
Rule of thumb
Consult, cleanse, analyze, treat, massage, mask, protect - and before each step, ask whether anything on the contraindication list applies.