Skin Analysis
Before carrying out a treatment it is important to analyse a client’s skin thoroughly as it will allow the therapist to:
- Correctly determine the type of skin and conditions present
- To identify any contraindications to treatment
- Correct determine a suitable treatment plan which would incorporate: Salon treatments, homecare routine and product choice
- Aftercare and homecare advice
The skin analysis is always carried after the superficial cleanse. The skin can only be diagnosed once all the surface secretions have been removed and the therapist can also make judgements about the skin as she cleanses it.
The client should be semi-reclined and not flat to allow the face to fall naturally.
A magnifying lamp must be used as good illumination and magnification are necessary for an accurate diagnosis.
If the client finds the light too bright, cover the eyes with a folded tissue secured into the sides of a headband or with damp cotton wool discs
Skin analysis is carried out through:
Asking questions, e.g.:
- How do you find your skin?
- What are your main concerns?
- What products are you currently using?
Use the following as a checklist:
- Comedones (blackheads)
- Milia (whiteheads)
- pore size
- wrinkles or fine lines
- broken capillaries
- creepy skin
- shiny oily patches
- dry flaky patches
- skin colourings
- skin age e.g. young or mature
- skin texture e.g. fine or coarse
- scarring and pigmentation
Often therapists make notes on face charts to help record the clients’ characteristics on that day. These can be good to keep a record of how the clients’ skin is changing between treatments.