Issue link: https://www.ascpskindeepdigital.com/i/97199
Skin care professionals need to embrace their role as experts in their field. When clients go to other professionals, they expect to present their goal or problem and then let the professional guide them. Can you imagine a medical doctor asking a patient, ���What type of treatment would you like?��� Each client should leave your initial consultation with a home-care regimen and a treatment plan, knowing exactly what to do and when to come back. I remind my clients that if they have any issues with the products, or if their skin is reacting (for example, getting uncomfortably dry), they must contact me. I warn them not to change their home-care products without consulting me first. I actually have my clients sign an agreement form, spelling out all these expectations. Of course, there are always going to be exceptions���clients who want to call the shots no matter what. In that case, consider the individual situation and decide whether it is something you can live with. In the middle, however, are those who just need a little extra nudge toward compliance. Clients Who Switch Products Inevitably, there will be a client who says, ���Well, I decided to stop using that product,��� or ���I decided to use something else.��� There is nothing that raises my hackles more than these phrases. However, responding with any hint of criticism can make the client dig in her heels in defense. Swallow your feelings and become an educator. I go over in detail why we are using this product and the esthetic consequences of not doing so. I then politely ask if she is willing to follow my instructions, pointing out that if the answer is no, then we might not be a good fit. Clients Who don���t do Home Care Another type of noncompliant client is the one who claims she is doing her at-home routine when I know she is not. When working with acne clients, noncompliance at home is glaringly obvious. A closer look at the skin will reveal whether active products are being used on a regular basis. I even check my retail accounting to see how long it is taking clients to use up the products they purchased. There is an art to tactfully busting clients who use their products inconsistently. Instead of asking, ���Are you using your home-care products?��� get more specific and ask, ���Do you ever skip your skin care routine?��� If the answer is yes, ask, ���How many times a week do you skip?��� The client is more likely to be forthcoming when asked in this manner.