Estheticians share 5 red flags to look out for when getting a facial

Meghan LeClairé, the founder of LeClairé Skincare, a luxury med spa in San Diego, emphasized that “consultations are absolutely necessary for a successful service.”

She noted that consultations are essential for an esthetician to get acquainted with a client’s skin concerns, allergies, sensitivities, skincare routine, and overall goals.

Without this vital step, several issues can arise, such as incorrect treatment, unmet expectations, and an inadequate treatment plan.

The consultation should happen either prior to, or at the beginning of, your facial appointment.

Spas should always be properly sanitized

“Spas that are not kept clean or properly sanitized are a red flag,” said LeClairé. “This can cause a spread of bacteria on implements and tools that are used on each client.”

Some signs of an improperly sanitized studio include lint or hair in the sheets (this could mean the estheticians recycle linens with multiple clients), dirty customer bathrooms, dusty counters and tabletops, and foggy or cloudy disinfectant liquid.

Elizabeth Bautista, the spa director at Ocean Pearl Spa in San Diego, agreed.

“Be mindful of an esthetician’s room,” she advised. “After every client, it is a requirement to wipe all surfaces and replace all linen.”

Professional estheticians should use medical-grade skincare products

“Facials do not need to be aggressive to work,” Bautista said. “Some of the best facials are about keeping skin nourished and hydrated.”

She said basic tools and ingredients like a gua sha, zinc, and tea-tree oil mixed with a conservative amount of baking soda can go a long way for a variety of skin concerns, such as wrinkles or acne.