SkinCare Consultation
Before you start treatment you must carry out a consultation. Some therapists offer stand-alone consultations free of charge to encourage new clients
to step into the salon. However, your time is valuable and it is advisable to charge a fee for this.
A good way to present this fee is to offer it as a charge which is deductible against the cost of any facial or products the client goes on to purchase. That way, if the prospective client doesn’t want to book a facial, or purchase products after their consultation, you haven’t lost by giving away your wisdom for free. More often than not, clients redeem the money on a treatment, and they usually spend more in the process. If your client books a facial, a consultation should be offered as part of the package every time the client comes in. For a new client, more time is needed to undergo an in-depth skin analysis in the initial consultation. It is at your discretion whether to charge more for this initial treatment. With the relevant questions it usually takes extra 15 minutes to do a consultation, so it's not always necessary to charge extra (and could be potentially off-putting for new clients.) During the consultation you should:
Take down your client’s medical history on a record card to check for contraindications – as you would for all treatments.
Take an oral history of your client’s skin concerns.
Record the treatments and products they have had and the results.
Record their current skin routine including facial and makeup application
The most important thing you should do is listen to your client. Ask direct questions that get you quick answers and keep the discussion on track. A great opening line is, “What would you most like to improve about your skin?” Next, ask a few questions to get a clearer picture of the best course of action. You’ll need to keep a detailed record of the consultation so you wont need to go into so much depth every time. Contraindications to facials are:
Contagious skin diseases
Coughs or cold or other bacterial or viral infections
The use of skin thinning treatments - if a skin thinning product that you have not prescribed is being used, or if a course of skin resurfacing treatments is being taken elsewhere.
Facial waxing within the last 24 hours
Inflamed skin conditions, e.g. boils, cystic acne
Cuts, abrasions or bruising on the face.
Sun burn
A fever
A hangover
Avoid using massage on clients with:
High blood pressure - unless you have been given written permission by their doctor whereby you would perform a very light relaxing massage.
Osteoporosis or recently broken bones - these will be too fragile to massage around.
Rheumatoid arthritis - massage will cause further inflammation.
Osteoarthritis - a doctors note will be required.
Edema (Oedema) - swelling that is not gravitational but due to another underlying condition.
Heart conditions - without doctors consent
Allergies to certain ingredients and oils should be considered. The next step is to carry out a Skin Analysis.