Facial Procedures – Comprehensive Study Notes

Learning Objectives - After successful completion, you should be able to:

• Describe benefits of facial treatments.

• List & explain key elements of a facial.

• Identify & describe the 4 main skin types (plus Sensitive variant).

• Record treatment notes in SOAP form & chart on a skin diagram.

• Recognize indications & contraindications for every step.

• Perform each facial step in proper order.

• Correctly set-up & break-down treatment room with full sanitation.

Motivation & Professional Importance

• Facials are the foundational skill for all skin-care services.

• A thorough protocol ensures treatments are safe, healthy, beneficial.

• Well-trained estheticians with multiple protocols

→ higher success.

• Facials maintain skin health & correct conditions via cleansing, massage, masks, devices.

• Knowing facial elements builds confidence & improves client communication.

Core Benefits of Facials (repeated for emphasis)

• Deep cleanse & exfoliation.

• Increase circulation, detoxification, metabolic stimulation.

• Relax senses, nerves, muscles.

• Slow premature aging; soften wrinkles/lines.

• Address dehydration, oiliness, redness.

• Clear blemishes & minor acne.

Global Workflow: 18 Key Elements / Steps

1. Treatment room set-up.

2. Meet & greet client.

3. Foot soak.

4. Client consultation (S of SOAP) & table prep.

5. Dispense first 3 products (make-up remover, cleanser, toner).

6. Client preparation, draping, guided deep breathing.

7. Eye & lip makeup removal.

8. Double facial cleanse

→ rinse

→ tone.

9. In-depth skin analysis (O & A of SOAP).

10. Dispense all remaining products & complete P of SOAP.

11. Exfoliation + foot massage

→ rinse.

12. Steam (with or without disincrustation); sanitize dispense area.

13. Extractions

→ rinse

→ tone.

14. Facial massage

→ rinse.

15. Serum (under mask)

→ mask

→ hand massage

→ rinse

→ tone.

16. Moisturizer, SPF, eye care

→ conclude service.

17. After-/home-care, product recommendations, recall booking.

18. Clean & disinfect room, equipment, sinks, dispensary.

STEP-BY-STEP DETAILS

1. Treatment Room Set-Up

• Verify disposable supplies, linen count, equipment function.

• Adjust table height; pre-heat steamer.

• Lay linens, back-bar products, surge protector.

2. Meet & Greet

• First impression: polite, smiling, client-centred.

• Never share personal problems; do not disclose other clients’ info.

• Tour facility for new clients; introduce staff.

3. Foot Soak

• Mix \tfrac14 teaspoon Pedi-Redi Plus salts (cranberry/orange scent) in hot water.

• Towel under bowl; cold-water pitcher nearby.

• Provide sanitized slippers; temp-check water.

• Add heated neck roll; 4

–5 min soak

→ gentle scrub

→ dry feet.

• Product: Pedi-Redi Plus = sea salt + Epsom + essential/fragrance oils + color.

4. Consultation & Intake (S in SOAP)

• Review intake with client present; verify medications, skincare routine, goals.

• Identify contraindications (contagious skin disease, Accutane, oral steroids, autoimmune, diabetes, blood thinners, etc.).

• Gather subjective data: onset, location, duration, character, alleviating/aggravating factors, associated symptoms.

• Explain gowning, jewellery removal, table positioning; leave room for client to change.

SOAP Charting Overview

• S: Client’s verbal goals & symptoms.

• O: Esthetician’s measurable findings during analysis.

• A: Professional assessment (skin type, Fitzpatrick, Glogau, Rubin, acne grade, etc.).

• P: Planned treatment, products, referrals, home-care, recall.

• Rules: Blue pen only; single-line strike for errors + initials; remain objective.

• Confidentiality absolute—no public disclosure.

5. Initial Product Dispense

• Max 3 dishes: make-up remover, cleanser, toner (chosen by visible skin state).

6. Preparation, Draping, Deep Breathing

• Direct clothing removal (shoes, restrictive pants, bra) & storage.

• Chest draping: large towel tucked low for décolletage access; bolster under knees; rolled towel under neck.

• Head draping: towel + headband; protect earlobes, avoid tightness.

• Décolletage care tips (cleanse, moisturize, SPF, fragrance on clothes not skin).

• Guided 3 deep breaths (nose in, mouth out) for mutual relaxation.

7. Make-Up Removal

• Eyes: place damp cotton pad with remover for \approx1 min to dissolve product; support skin; swipe onto 2

×2; Q-tip detail.

• Lips: support corner, wipe from corners

→ center until clear.

8. Double Cleanse

→ Rinse

→ Tone

• First cleanse removes make-up/oil/pollutants; second gives deeper clean.

• Use warm damp 4

×4’s for each rinse.

• Toner: removes remnants, restores pH, cools; apply via 4

×4’s or mist (eyes covered).

9. In-Depth Skin Analysis (O & A)

Fourfold Method

• Look, Feel, Ask, Listen; document on chart/diagram.

Skin Types

• Normal (balanced): small-med pores; even texture; healthy color.

• Dry: small/tight pores; coarse/thin; flaking; sensitive; premature wrinkles.

• Oily: enlarged pores; thick/coarse; sallow/shiny; comedones/pustules.

• Combination: Oily T-zone, dry elsewhere; mixed pore sizes; commonest.

• Sensitive (proposed 5th type): red/blotchy; thin; easily irritated.

Common Conditions (brief)

• Dehydrated – lacks water; superficial wrinkles.

• Poor muscle tone – collagen breakdown.

• Mature/Aging – deficient nutrients; sagging.

• Telangiectasia – dilated vessels.

• Asphyxiated – clogged by oil/pollution.

• Irregular pigment – uneven melanin (brown spots, PIH, melasma, freckles).

Acne Vulgaris

• Cause: bacteria + dead skin + excess sebum.

• Looks/feels: oily, pustules, comedones, coarse.

• Grades 0\text{–}4 with descriptors (clear

→ severe; see chart).

Rosacea Subtypes

• Erythematotelangiectatic, Papulopustular, Phymatous, Ocular.

Photodamage Scales

• Fitzpatrick: skin’s sun tolerance (photo-type).

• Glogau: wrinkle/photo-aging by age (Type I

–IV).

• Rubin: depth of damage

→ treatment choice.

Documentation Forms

• Client Intake (Fitzpatrick) – once.

• Skin Chart – every visit.

• SOAP chart – every treatment.

• Progress notes – end of each session (date, service, notable reactions).

10. Full Product Dispense & Plan (P in SOAP)

• Up to 13 dappen dishes:

1. Makeup remover

2. Cleanser

3. Toner

4. Exfoliant

5. Disincrustation

6. Toner

7. Massage medium

8. Serum

9. Mask

10. Toner

11. Moisturizer+SPF (or separate)

12. SPF

13. Eye cream.

• Chart manufacturer & product names.

11. Exfoliation + Foot Massage

• Purpose: remove corneocytes, smooth skin, aid penetration, stimulate turnover.

• Types: mechanical vs chemical.

• If leave-on exfoliant

→ perform leg/foot massage simultaneously; if scrub

→ massage during steam.

• Optional add-on: eco-fin + heated booties.

12. Steam / Disincrustation & Sanitation

• Contraindications: respiratory issues, rosacea, claustrophobia, dilated arterioles, reduced sensitivity.

• Effects: opens pores, boosts blood/lymph, softens keratin, aids sebum flow.

• Parameters: 10 min, 15''\text{–}18'' distance; adjust for skin type (oily closer/longer, sensitive further/shorter).

• Safety: ensure free steam flow, watch for spitting water, guard eyes w/ damp cotton.

• Alternative: successive heated towels \approx10 min.

• While steaming, clean/organize product area.

13. Extractions

→ Rinse

→ Tone

• Goal: manually clear follicles so they contract & heal.

• Wear gloves; use cotton-wrapped fingers, swabs, or loop tool; lancet for whiteheads if licensed.

• Limit \le10 min; excessive force

→ broken caps, PIH.

• Post-care: rinse, tone; schedule repeat facials \approx every 2 weeks for acne clients.

14. Massage

• Definition: external manipulation of soft tissues (face, neck, décolletage, hands, feet).

• Benefits: desquamation, increased oxygenation, improved tone, relaxation, lymphatic drainage, gland stimulation.

• Swedish groups: Effleurage, Petrissage, Tapotement, Friction, Vibration.

• Dr. Jacquet movement: gentle pinch-twist for oily/acne skin (post-disincrustation); avoid eyes, redness, infection.

• Technique rules: rhythmic flow, one hand maintained on client, pressure toward heart, from insertion to origin.

• Contraindications: product allergies, open lesions, rosacea, contagious disease, severe acne, arthritis, illness, drugs/alcohol.

15. Serum

→ Mask

→ Hand Massage

• Serums/ampoules = concentrated actives; “3 M’s” (medium, mask, moisturizer) guideline; applied under mask for training consistency.

• Mask actions depend on ingredients: soothe, nourish, tighten, absorb debris.

• Mask-specific contraindications: allergies, claustrophobia (avoid setting masks), sensitive skin (avoid stimulants).

• Perform hand massage while mask sets; may add eco-fin & booties.

16. Moisturizer • SPF • Eye Care • Service Conclusion

• Moisturizer: oil-in-water emulsion; restores & locks hydration; may include humectants & UV filters.

• SPF: daily essential; recommend \text{SPF }15\text{–}30; never send client out unprotected post-exfoliation.

• Eye products: thin tissue, high mast-cell count; apply pea-size with ring finger; gels AM (depuff/cool), creams PM (hydrate).

• Conclude gently: remove head drape, remind of slippery feet & slow rise, escort out.

17. Aftercare, Homecare, Recommendations, Recall

• Aftercare (first 24\text{–}48 h):

  • No sun, exfoliation, hot tubs/saunas.

  • Increase water intake.

• Homecare:

  • Resume exfoliation after 48 h as directed.

  • Tepid-water cleansing; daily sunscreen; avoid face-touching remainder of day.

• Product recommendation protocol: explain feature, function, benefit; set items out; demo order of use; provide written instructions.

• Schedule next visit & note recommended service.

18. Treatment Room Cleanup & Sanitation

• Wash non-disposable implements first (dappen dishes, brushes, bowls, etc.).

• Separate linens into laundry; discard disposables properly.

• Disinfect multi-use containers & all surfaces: table, equipment, handles, bins, bolster, clipboard.

• Unplug equipment, coil cords, power off surge strips.

• Restock disposables (paper towels, 4

×4, 2

×2, polyback, sticks, lancets, buds) & linens (sheets, towels, gowns, headbands).

- Return equipment to place; replace dust cover on treatment table.

Ethical & Practical Notes

• Confidentiality: Never reveal client identity/details in or out of clinic; default reply: “It’s confidential.”

• Chart integrity: blue ink, single-line corrections, no blank lines, objective language only.

• If uncertain about medical issues (e.g., diabetic neuropathy, steroid use) obtain physician clearance.

Numerical / Reference Summary

• 4 primary skin types (+ sensitive variant).

• 18 procedural steps in standard facial.

• Initial 3 products dispensed pre-analysis.

• Steam: 10 min, 15''\text{–}18'' distance.

• Deep breaths guided: 3 cycles.

• SPF recommendation: 15\text{–}30.

• Acne grades 0\text{–}4; severity chart provided.