Client's Medical Conditions and Considerations

what to check for before providing a facial treatment

• contagious diseases

• skin disorders

• medical conditions

• use of acne drugs or other peeling agents

• skin irritations

• allergies to products and ingredients

• severe, uncontrolled hypertension

• current skin care routine and exfoliation

what do you need to understand about your client to determine an appropriate treatment?

medical conditions, health issues, client’s lifestyle

heart problems/high blood pressure

avoid: stimulating treatments, electrotherapy, stimulating massage techniques

use: low stimulation deep-cleansing facials, light extractions, slight elevation and rise slowly

hormonal problems

indicated by: breakouts around the jawline, hormonal discoloration (melasma/chloasma), abnormal facial hair growth

use: hydration and gentle exfoliation, SPF

avoid: essential oils (can elevate hormonal levels)

diabetes

skin is slow to heal and very delicate, not as quick to respond to stimuli

avoid: waxing, deep extractions, aggressive physical exfoliation, electrotherapy

use: less heat and less manipulationt

thyroid problems

indicated by: abnormal facial hair growth, dry skin, abnormal breakouts, weight problems

avoid: products containing iodine, seaweed

prone to hyperpigmentation, whole endocrine system out of balance

cancer/history of cancer in the past 12 months

need doctor’s written permission

avoid: stimulating treatments, microdermabrasion, chemical peels, extractions, electrotherapy, MLD, waxing, strong essential oils

less is more

history of cold sores

can treat if inactive

prone to outbreak after facial treatment

avoid: stimulating massage, MLD, microdermabrasion, chemical peels

skin disorders

psoriasis, eczema, dermatitis, rosacea, acne

no facial services allowed during a flare-up, except for acne facials

more sensitive to products and stimulants

avoid: stimulating, fast-movement massage, microdermabrasion, waxing

use: acupressure massage, diamond tip microdermabrasion is ok

autoimmune disorders

vitiligo, scleroderma, lupus, psoriasis (do not treat during flare up), vasculitis

skin is more sensitive to products and stimulation

ask for doctor’s written permission

avoid: stimulating fast-movement massage, microdermabrasion, waxing

use: acupressure massage, caution with exfoliation and extraction, diamond tip microdermabrasion

allergies

avoid using products that might contain ingredients from a product or food the client is allergic to

seasonal allergies can make skin more dehydrated and sensitive; redness and irritation may show. Less heat and manipulation are recommended

Pregnancy

skin is more sensitive

avoid: strong exfoliation, essential oils, microdermabrasion, acids, MLD, body wraps, electrotherapy

use: deep-cleansing hydrating facials and SPF

trying to get pregnant

treat the skin the same as with a pregnant client

recent surgery (12 months)

medications can cause sensitive skin

avoid: physical exfoliation and aggressive treatments

use: deep-cleansing facials, SPF

accutane

skin sensitivity; reactive to products, touch, and modalities

avoid: physical exfoliation up to 6-9 mo after, microdermabrasion, chemical peeling for 12 mo after, waxing 6-9 mo after, extractions

use: accupressure, MLD (gently), hydration treatments, deep-cleansing

hormonal replacement therapy

avoid: essential oils, seaweed, electrotherapy if skin is irritated and red

taking any medications, topically or orally

causes dehydration, external dryness, and sensitivity

the longer the client is taking a certian medication, the longer we need to avoid stimulating and exfoliating treatments

avoid: microdermabrasion, chemical peeling, strong exfoliation

use: SPF

what to avoid when a client is taking regular antibiotics (taken for up to 2 weeks)

waxing, strong physical exfolaiton for up to two weeks after finishing the medication

what to avoid when a client is taking strong antibiotics (taken for over 2 weeks)

waxing, physical or chemical exfoliation up to 3 months after finishing the antibiotic

what to avoid when a client is taking blood thinners

extractions and waxing

client can bruise easily

what to avoid when a client is taking medication that treats skin disorders

doctor’s permission is required

what to avoid when a client is taking herbal supplements such as ginger or turmeric

No microdermabrasion for 5 days after

what to avoid when a client is taking daily ibuprofen or aspirin

no microdermabrasion for 5 days after

rosacea

avoid: physical exfoliation during flare-ups, electrotherapy, stimulating massages, facial waxing unless using hard wax

use: hydration and soothing, acupressure or MLD, deep cleansing facials when not flaring, steam never closer than 18” away, warmth over heat

telangiectasia/couperose skin

broken capillaries surrounded by dilated capillaries

avoid: physical exfoliation, electrotherapy if irritated, facial waxing

retinoids

vitamin a derivatives used to treat acne and as a topical anti-aging medication

differin, retin-a, tazorac

avoid: facial waxing, chemical peels, and physical exfoliation for up to 6 months

retinol

a lighter version of a retinoid sold by estheticians

avoid: physical exfoliation, chemical peels, facial waxing 5-7 days after use

alpha-hydroxy acids

can cause skin sensitivity

glycolic acid, lactic acid

avoid: physical exfoliation, chemical peels, facial waxing for 3-5 days after using

SPF required

beta-hydroxy acids

can cause dehydration with overuse

salicylic acid

avoid: physical exfoliation, chemical peels, facial waxing 3-5 days after use

SPF required

Implants (pacemaker, pins)

avoid: high frequency, galvanic, microcurrent

can use: ultrasonic

undergone treatment from a dermatologist

if a client is currently being treated, a doctor’s written permission is required

adverse reaction to a cosmetic product

if yes, do not use similar products

history of skin cancer

need doctor’s written permission if under 12 months ago

contact lenses

eyes may be more sensitive during treatment

remove lenses for galvanic facial treatment

fat grafting/fat transfer/microlipoinjection on face

avoid: massage, microdermabrasion, electrotherapy, facial waxing

can use: acupressure massage

PRP/PRF

no facial treatments for up to 6 months, need doctor’s written permission to resume treatments

thread facelift/PDO threads/facelift

no facial services 6-9 months; need doctor’s written permission to resume services

no massage (unless written permission from doctor)

no physical exfoliation, microdermabrasion, electrotherapy, facial waxing

microblading/brow lamination

no facial treatment for up to 8 weeks post-procedure, no brow waxing for up to 12 weeks

recent facial fillers or botox/dysport

no facial services or facial waxing for 2-3 weeks

if used to reshape the structure of the face, need doctor’s written permission

laser treatment or IPL

• no facial services/waxing after ablative facial laser treatment (doctor permission to resume)

• no facial services/waxing 1 month after IPL facial treatments

• no waxing during laser hair removal series, can do waxing 3 months after

been on semaglutide, tirzapatide, or weight-loss injections within 12 months

ask about sensitivities or side effects