Issue link: https://www.ascpskindeepdigital.com/i/1539961
States like California have a tightly defined scope that prohibits estheticians in the state from performing microneedling, RF, body cavitation, lasers, injections, skin tag removal, and several other services. Due to misleading information circulating in the community and confusion about allowed practices, the California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology issued a bulletin in 2023 outlining the devices that are within the scope for California estheticians: • Galvanic current • Microcurrent • High frequency current • Ultrasonic (low-frequency, low-powered, topical devices intended for skin cleansing, exfoliation, and product application) • Light-emitting diode (LED) devices (410–945 nanometers) Devices that are considered medical and invasive in California are outlined as: • RF (except for electrolysis licensees) • Electrical muscle stimulators (EMS) • IPL therapies • X-rays • Ultrasound • Photo light therapy • Injections of any sort • Dermarolling or microneedling • Removal of moles, age spots, skin tags, and/or freckles • Cryotherapy • Cryolipolysis and/or any type of fat-reduction treatment • Ear candling • Fibroblast/plasma skin tightening • Use of prescription products ADVANCED MASSAGE TECHNIQUES Our hands have always been the esthetician's most powerful tool—offering intuitive touch, knowledge of the muscles, and the ability to connect with clients in deeply therapeutic ways. Advanced techniques like lymphatic drainage and buccal massage exemplify this artistry, blending anatomy knowledge with hands-on skills to sculpt the face, reduce edema, combat temporomandibular joint disorders, and tone the muscles. The lymphatic system plays a crucial role in immune function and waste removal, and unlike the circulatory system, it relies on muscular movement and manual stimulation to keep fluids moving. In esthetics, manual lymphatic drainage is often performed on the face, neck, and décolletage using light, sweeping motions that follow the natural pathways of lymphatic flow to help reduce puffiness and fluid retention. Buccal massage, also referred to as intraoral massage, is an advanced facial technique that involves the practitioner massaging the muscles inside the mouth. By accessing the facial muscles both externally and intraorally, this method helps release tension and improve circulation. However, while these services are growing in popularity thanks to social media and celebrity estheticians, many states take a conservative stance on their legality. Because both techniques manipulate muscular and lymphatic structures beyond superficial 65 STOCKSY