The Clinical Approach

The Clinical Approach

With the exception of a few holistic esthetics schools, most programs teach a clinical approach to skin care. This forms the foundation of how students view traditional esthetics. This module reinforces the clinical foundation before students move on to complementary approaches to esthetics.

What is the Clinical Approach?

In this course we will discuss what it means to take a “Clinical” approach to esthetics. We will touch on what it means to be results driven and how working alongside medical professionals will help to enhance your clients treatment plans by being able to incorporate more advanced modalities into their services to deliver faster results. We will also touch on how you can use non invasive procedures such as light therapy, radio frequency, microneedling, and medium to deep depth chemical peels to achieve your clients goals.

After completing this activity, participants will be able to:

1. Define what a Clinical Environment is.
2. Review the difference between “non-invasive” and “invasive” treatments
3. Differentiate “Cosmetic” and “Medical grade” skin care
4. Describe how to partner with or shadow clinical professionals
5. Identify non-invasive modalities to incorporate in your clinical practice

Start With Inclusivity

It is important to have a solid understanding of the skin of ethnic and blended heritage clients. This lesson explains how to select the appropriate treatment to ensure outstanding outcomes to all your clients, equally.

After completing this activity, participants will be able to:

1. Identify characteristics that are unique to each individual
2. Review how to select ingredients with ethnicity and skin type in mind

Skin Analysis

By conducting a thorough skin analysis integrative estheticians are able to determine the underlying causes of each skin condition and assess the health of the skin barrier.

After completing this activity, participants will be able to:

1. Describe the barrier and how it functions
2. Review ethnic differences in barrier integrity
3. Recall steps in a complete skin analysis
4. Identify when to refer to a dermatologist

Customizing Protocols

In this lesson we will learn how to select the proper ingredients to address some of the most common skin concerns. We will go over how to address pigment and prepare protocols to treat skin from all ethnicities. At the conclusion of the lesson we will learn how to customize a chemical peel series to help your clients achieve their skin goals.

After completing this activity, participants will be able to:

1. Describe how to select ingredients to address different skin conditions
2. Identify how to treat pigment through Brightening Protocols
3. Restate how to create a chemical peel series
4. Review the importance of tailoring procedures for each ethnic group

Hands-On Facial Massage

Learn the importance of massage and touch in integrative esthetics. This is an in-depth review of the muscles of the head, neck, chest, and shoulders. This lesson will cover various types of massage, how to mix and match massage modalities, as well as how to select the best massage modalities through proper consultation and analysis.

After completing this activity, participants will be able to:

1. Review what massage is and its effects on the body
2. Identify indications/contraindications to ensure client safety and satisfaction
3. Review basic anatomy of muscles and systems
4. Identify techniques to relieve tension and restore symmetry of the face
5. Integrate hands on facial massage techniques into practice

Intro to Oncology Skin Care for Estheticians

An integrative esthetician must be prepared to treat all clients equally. So it’s imperative that they learn to address the effects of cancer on skin. This lesson introduces estheticians to modalities and techniques needed to help their clients before, during, and after targeted and immunotherapy treatments.

After completing this activity, participants will be able to:

1. Describe the psychological effects of cancer
2. Recall the side effects of cancer treatment
3. Identify unwanted ingredients to use on compromised skin
4. Review the steps of an oncology facial
5. Employ a referral system with dermatologists, oncologists, hospitals and cancer treatment centers

Hierarchy of Treatments

This lesson outlines a system for determining the ideal order of treatment in a series. Students are taught how to prioritize treatments by selecting the most beneficial protocols for the client’s current condition.

After completing this activity, participants will be able to:

1. Review the therapeutic order
2. Recall the importance of calming inflammation first
3. Discuss how proper hydration impacts skin health
4. Evaluate when to address pigmentation concerns
5. Identify when to address textural and elasticity concerns