The facial menu at many beauty spas can be complex and intimidating, even for the most experienced of clients. As a licensed esthetician, one of the most important things you'll do is help your clients choose the right products and treatments for their skin. Part of that process will involve getting to know your client's skin and what they hope to get from a facial. Here's what you can ask to help people choose an option from the facial menu that will provide them with the best possible results.
What's Their Skin Type?
A person's skin type determines how their skin reacts to certain ingredients. For example, someone with sensitive skin is likely going to be more reactive to ingredients that wouldn't cause any issue for a person with "normal" skin. A person with oily skin might break out after getting a facial that uses a lot of heavy moisturizers. Someone with dry skin might see increased flakiness if they get a facial with a lot of exfoliants or with ingredients that are designed to absorb oil.
What Are Their Goals?
When talking to your clients about a facial, it's worthwhile to review the basics of the process and to discuss how the process can help reach their skin goals. Usually, a facial does the following:
Cleanses
Exfoliates
Extracts
Moisturizes
Someone with dry skin might be particularly interested in the moisturizing step of the process while someone with oily skin might be looking for a deep cleanse.
The more specific a client is about their goals, the better able you'll be to help them choose the right facial option. It can be useful to ask them about specific skin concerns. For example, you can ask them if they deal with pimples or breakouts a lot or if they are interested in restoring a youthful glow to their skin.
Some clients might be willing to point to specific fine lines and wrinkles on their face and to tell you that they'd like those to go away or at least to be made less visible. Depending on a person's goals, it might be that an option other than a facial, such as a chemical peel or microdermabrasion, will be a better fit for them.
What Are Their Habits?
Along with knowing your client's goals and skin type, it's important to discuss their skincare habits and their lifestyle habits with them. Habits influence the overall condition of their skin as well as how it responds to a facial.
While you don't want to lecture your clients about their choices, it's worthwhile to find out more about the following:
If they smoke or not. Smoking is one of the leading causes of premature skin aging.
If they spend a lot of time in the sun. The sun's rays not only cause burns but also speed up the aging process, causing early wrinkles and other signs of aging.
What they eat. Some foods contribute to the aging process, such as sugar.
If they drink enough water. Healthy skin is well-hydrated.
Do They Breakout Easily?
Some people are more prone to acne and breakouts than others, so it's a good idea to talk to your clients about their pimple history. If they do break out easily, you'll want to steer clear of a facial that contains heavy, potentially pore-clogging ingredients. Acne-prone clients might be interested in extractions, which clear out clogged pores.
If you're interested in helping people achieve the healthiest skin possible, become an esthetician. During your skincare classes, you'll learn how to perform facials and how to help your clients choose the products and treatments that will allow them to reach their skincare goals. To learn more about the skincare training program at Cortiva Institute Massage Therapy & Skin Scare School, get in touch today.