Issue link: https://www.ascpskindeepdigital.com/i/148952
Add Some Fillers Whatever the focus of the service, look for stress-relief fillers to add. Here are two protocols that can be included with any facial. 1. Face and Head For stress relief, nothing rivals the power of touch. The scalp and ears have a particularly high amount of nerve receptors, so add some attention to these areas during your facial massage (check with the client first, as some people don't like their hair to be touched). Softly tug small sections of hair. Using compressions and gentle stroking, work down from the forehead to the base of the skull. Move back up to the temples, using slow, circular motions there and around the ears, then massage the eyebrows, which hold so much facial tension. Massage the brows outward toward the temples and then repeat your circular strokes around the temples and ears. 2. Arms and Legs A jumbo waxing stick can be used as a strigil—a tool used by the ancient Romans to cleanse and condition the skin with firm, gentle scraping. Uncover one arm and slowly massage with cream or oil, then use the strigil to scrape slowly from shoulder to hand. When finished, cover the arm and apply light compression with your hands, walking them from shoulder to wrist. Move to the corresponding leg and repeat the actions, moving from thigh to ankle. Move to the other leg and back up to the other arm. Let Clients Drift Away Freedom from stress is a wonderful feeling. When your overtired, overconnected, overworked client discovers that feeling, sometimes the natural result is sleep! Some estheticians worry that clients who fall asleep during a service are missing out on the experience they paid for; others believe it's the ultimate sign of success. But the decision really isn't yours to make. It's important for the client's relaxation that you mention it's OK to doze off. Some clients worry that you'll view it as impolite and they can't fully relax because of this fear. If a client falls asleep on your treatment table, she must have really needed the rest. Just go about your service and be pleased that you could guide her to such a peaceful state. By improving your clients' stress levels, as well as their skin, you provide an infinitely valuable service to the health of the whole person. Lynn Parentini is a respected author, educator, esthetician, massage therapist, former makeup and skin care salon owner, and supporter of Dress For Success. She is a member of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and the National Cosmetology Association, and is the author of The Joy of Healthy Skin (Prentice Hall, 1995) and Stone Journey (Esthetic Alternatives Inc, 2000). Contact her at lparentini@ymail.com. Get connected to your peers @ www.skincareprofessionals.com 15