Issue link: https://www.ascpskindeepdigital.com/i/1507658
Exclusive member benefit: Get the ASCP SkinPro app at ascpskincare.com/skinpro 75 know a few basics that will help you and your client's experience be nothing less than the positive one they are expecting," O'Neil says. "However, you do need to have awareness of your particular client's needs and be sensitive not to exacerbate existing conditions." Taking careful notes during a consultation helps practitioners understand the client's speci c health conditions, including speci ed needs, limits, and potential ingredient reactions. Referring to these notes every time a client comes in for treatment is imperative. Listening to clients during their services can help both the esthetician and the client. "Limited by exhaustion, pain, or other," O'Neil says, "your aging clients can tell you the length of time they can participate in a procedure. Many will even guide you in methods to support them while sitting and standing. This is where the skill of simple communication is key." REFERRING FOR CARE One of the most important aspects when working with older clients is knowing when to refer them to others for further care. Estheticians should never treat or diagnose and should always refer clients to a medical professional when necessary. Professionals in other elds may be aware of special products or services that can improve the lives of your clients and make their daily routines easier. Getting to know other professionals in complementary medical elds can be bene cial to everyone involved. ENHANCING THEIR WELLBEING LONG TERM As O'Neil said, "It's about our sense of self-worth." Your older clients—as well as your entire clientele— just want to feel a sense of self-worth. Your care as an esthetician is important. You are a guide and a skin healer; by recognizing common health conditions in older adults, learning to respond correctly, and referring for care as needed, you can positively impact the lives of older clients. In the end, the most important part is that they feel a sense of self-worth that is greater than when they came in. Notes 1. US Department of Health and Human Services, "Aging," last reviewed April 27, 2022, hhs.gov/aging. 2. US Census Bureau, "By 2030, All Baby Boomers Will Be Age 65 or Older," last modifi ed February 25, 2022, census.gov/library/stories/2019/12/ by-2030-all-baby-boomers-will-be-age-65-or-older.html. 3. Victoria Stewart, Christine Judd, and Amanda Wheeler,"Practitioners' Experiences of Deteriorating Personal Hygiene Standards in People Living with Depression in Australia: A Qualitative Study,"Health & Social Care in the Community30, no. 4 (July 2022):1589–98, onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/hsc.13491. diseases—particularly in clients who are older adults. According to O'Neil, these conditions include, but are not limited to "skin tags, senile purpura, milia, comedones, skin fragility (tears), bruising (trauma), wrinkles, lentigines, seborrheic keratosis, actinic keratosis, basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, melanoma, yellowing of the skin, general loss and thinning of hair to super uous hair found facially and on ears, in ammatory response, eczema, seborrheic dermatitis, reduced autoimmune e ciency, as well as in uence of medications and supplements (vitamins, baby aspirin, statins, blood thinners for the heart, etc.)." O'Neil says it's also meaningful for skin care professionals to understand the correlation between visible anomalies and the multiplicity of acute and chronic diseases, such as diabetes (feet, skin fragility), heart disease (medications), lung disease (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), psoriatic arthritis, eczema (beyond dry skin), types of cancer, hearing loss, vision loss, and dementia. It's important to recognize other issues when caring for older clients, including any loss of mobility and dexterity, positioning for breathing, and back or hip pain. "Avoid salon stroke syndrome," she says. "This condition occurs when someone with arthritis in their neck extends it too far back and is under- supported," as in a shampoo bowl in a salon or a reclining chair for various spa treatments. "This cuts o circulation, which can cause a stroke," she says. RESPONDING CORRECTLY Skin care professionals treating older clients need to have an awareness and sensitivity to potential health issues to ensure a positive experience. "You should