Esthetics Ch 8 – Facial Treatments

1. What is a facial treatment?

A facial treatment is a professional service designed to improve the appearance of the facial skin. This typically includes deep cleansing, hydration, massage, mask application or mild peels, possible use of skin treatment machines, and finally the application of serums, moisturizer, and sunscreen.

2. Name some benefits of a facial.

• Deep cleanses
• Exfoliates
• Increases circulation and detoxifies
• Relaxes the senses, nerves, and muscles
• Slows down premature aging
• Addresses skin conditions
• Softens the appearance of wrinkles and aging lines
• Helps lessen the appearance of blemishes and minor acne 
• Provides access to an esthetician’s expertise for at-home skin care maintenance
• Supports skin health and making good lifestyle choices

3. As an esthetician, what primary activity can you not perform?

An esthetician cannot diagnose or treat medical conditions such as rosacea or cystic acne. 

4. List four essential skills an esthetician needs to master to create and maintain professional success.

Four essential skills of an esthetician are exceptional skills (including thorough knowledge of the skin and skin care), impeccable customer service and communication skills, mastery of retail sales techniques, and engagement in ongoing education.

5. What are some guidelines to a successful client interaction.

• Be genuine in your concern; focus on client’s needs and skin concerns.
• Give the client your full attention at all times.
• Help the client to relax by speaking in a quiet and professional manner.
• Provide a professional atmosphere and work efficiently.
• Make sure the client is comfortable.
• Always wear disposable gloves.
• Keep your nails smooth and short.
• Remove all jewelry.
• Be aware of your touch and the amount of pressure you apply to the face.
• Provide a skin analysis and educational consultation.
• Explain benefits of products and services, and answer any questions client may have.
• Maintain neat and clean conditions.
• Arrange supplies in an orderly fashion.
• Keep implements in a closed container when not in use.
• Follow systematic procedures.
• Measure or use premeasured products for consistency and best results.
• Apply and remove products neatly. Do not let water or products drip down client’s neck or in the eyes or ears.

6. What are the five essential service practices when greeting clients?

When greeting clients, approach the client with a smile, introduce yourself, don’t discuss your own problems, give a tour of facilities, be professional yet genuine.

7. What pretreatment activities can an esthetician do to assist the client in preparing for the treatment?

The esthetician can show the client where to change and store any belongings and explain what clothing can be removed, and how to prepare for the treatment and how to put on the wrap (if needed). Assist the client onto the facial bed if they need assistance. Drape the client’s hair and adjust the pillows, bolster, and linens for comfort.

8. What four practices help keep the client and the esthetician on schedule?

Client is asked to come in 15 minutes early, called to confirm, receptionist checks in client, and finally have consultation charts ready.

9. List the steps in a basic facial (excluding facial devices).

The basic facial procedure is divided into the following major steps: client consultation, client draping, facial cleansing, skin analysis, exfoliation, steaming or warm towels, extractions (if needed), massage, mask, toner, moisturizer, sun protection products, and post-treatment consultation.

10. In your own words, describe how to consult clients on home care.

• Explain, in simple terms, the client’s skin conditions, informing them of how you propose to treat the conditions. Inform them about how often treatments should be administered in the salon or spa, and very specifically explain what they should be doing at home.
• Set out the products you want the client to purchase and use. Explain each one, and tell them in which order to use them. Make sure to have written instructions for the client to take home.
• Use retail techniques to recommend products. Have products available for the client that you believe in and that produce results. Suggest products based on knowing your clients and what products will deliver results to their concerns

11. How does an express facial differ from the basic facial? For instance, what treatments are typically included in an express facial?

The main differences between an express facial treatment and a basic facial are the time and the number of steps and products. Express facials may take from 15 to 30 minutes and do not include all the steps of a full 60- to 90-minute facial. Omitted steps may include steaming, massage, or extractions. Cleansing and masking are the most important elements of the express facial because they produce the most visible results in 30 minutes. Express facials may also focus on only one area of the face.

12. List a treatment goal that is beneficial for the following skin types:

a. Dry skin: Hydration of skin with rich masks and creamy cleansers as well as a gentle form of exfoliation to remove the dead, dry skin cells and prevent them from accumulating on the surface. Massage can be very effective.

b. Dehydrated skin: Restore internal skin hydration and retain inner moisture by preventing transepidermal water loss (TEWL). Concentrate on hydrating and nourishing treatments that deliver the highest amounts of moisture to the skin. Massage with the use of serums is also beneficial to this type of skin.

c. Mature skin: Hydrate and revitalize the skin. Establish regularly scheduled skin evaluations that include skin analysis and review with clients in order to make the appropriate product and treatment adjustments. Clients can benefit greatly from an ongoing program of antiaging treatments done in a series.

d. Sensitive skin: Identify and avoid those stimuli that provoke a sensitive, sensitized, or rosacea response. Provide skin with topical application of ingredients that help calm and soothe the appearance of the skin. Help maintain the skin’s protective moisture barrier. Encourage the client to consult a dermatologist when experiencing severe sensitive skin or rosacea flare-ups. For home care, advise these clients to avoid vasodilators that dilate capillaries: heat, the sun, spicy foods, and stimulating products.

e. Hyperpigmentation: Chemical exfoliation and brightening agents can be effective in reducing some hyperpigmented areas.

f. Oily skin: Important to treat the skin with effective deep cleansing and purifying products. Galvanic current, steam, and extractions can benefit oily skin to keep the pores free of comedones, and exfoliation with oil-controlling ingredients and BHA can lead to a great result as well.

13. List care tips you can suggest for clients with acne.

• Eliminate comedogenic products. Oil-free does not mean “noncomedogenic.” Examine the ingredients on product labels.
• Control oil through proper product usage. Do not irritate the skin with harsh products.
• Exfoliate the skin. Beta or alpha hydroxy acids are beneficial. Do not overuse these products. Once a day is sufficient.
• Protect against environmental aggressors, dirt, grease, UV light, humidity, and pollution.
• Practice stress reduction and good nutrition.
• Have regular facials once a month or as needed.

14. Explain the methods that can be used for extractions as permitted in your state.

• Manual comedone removal—gauze wrapped around gloved fingers, dampened with astringent—is useful for the majority of extractions.
• Comedone extractors are metal tools used for open comedones and sebaceous filaments.
• Cotton swabs are smaller than fingertips and are especially useful around the nose area.
• Lancets are for removal of milia or pustules (check with your local state board to see if it is permissible). Important note: Cysts and nodules must be treated by a dermatologist.

15. Explain steps to take before extractions.

Steps to take before extractions include washing hands and putting on gloves, cleansing the skin, analyzing the skin, steaming the skin and applying a gentle skin serum with exfoliating ingredients, and using desincrustation solution to soften sebum.

16. What are the four important points to cover in the post-treatment consultation with a client who has acne?

• Break bad habits such as picking and squeezing the skin.
• Overcleansing can be detrimental to acne-prone skin. It can further irritate the skin, stripping essential moisture and causing inflammation and additional risk of infection.
• Maintain a healthy diet. New research has found that dairy and fermented or yeast-based foods can exacerbate acne conditions. Skin care experts now recommend probiotics to counteract unhealthy bacteria living in the stomach lining and the resulting inflammation that can increase acne flare-ups.
• Avoid sunbathing, as UV light can initially dry up excess sebum and reduce pustules, but can lead to a cascade of reactions that actually increase oil production and sebum buildup on the skin.

17. What are the key points to consider when choosing skin care products for men?

Men are, in general, looking for products that are lightweight, are not fragranced, are not oily or greasy, are highly absorbent, and have a matte finish. Make sure the products are basic and the routines are simple. Common products for home care are cleansers, hydrating lotions, and sunscreen.