Skin Savvy: Why Estheticians Should Consider Studying the Art of Skin Analysis

Estheticians can do a lot of different things, from lash tints and brow waxes to body wraps and professional makeup applications. But when most people think of this field, one main thing comes to mind: skincare.

A successful esthetician must know how to diagnose and care for a variety of skin issues, and this all starts with the art of skin analysis.

We’ll explain what skin analysis is, why estheticians should study it, and where you can learn all about it.

• What Is Skin Analysis? 
• Why Should Estheticians Study Skin Analysis?
• 6 Reasons for Estheticians To Study Skin Analysis
• Steps To Effective Skin Analysis
• Spectrum Advanced Aesthetics: Portland’s Premier Choice for Esthetician Certification Training 

Skin analysis is an important part of being an esthetician — it’s the first step in addressing a client’s skincare needs and giving them great results. It involves examining the client’s skin to identify things such as:

• Skin type
• Moisture levels
• Problem areas
• Pigmentation
• Clients’ concerns
• And more

Some of the tools for skin analysis may include:

• Magnifying lamp – Often used after cleansing so the esthetician can get a closer look at what the skin is doing, this lamp provides enhanced illumination and greater visibility at 5x magnification. It can help identify concerns that may not be visible to the naked eye, such as hyperpigmentation, fine lines, and dehydration.
• Wood’s lamp – This tool uses long-wave UV light to show skin pigment irregularities, oiliness, dehydration, and UV damage.
• Digital skin analyzer – This photo-imaging system provides concrete data to support specific skincare routines and show whether or not they’re working properly. It can also help estheticians evaluate the skin’s moisture levels, sebum production, elasticity, and more.

The main reasons estheticians should study skin analysis are so they can:

• Determine a client’s skin type
• Convey confidence in their abilities
• Identify problem areas and what treatments would be best for them
• Customize product recommendations based on what they see
• Track treatment progress; and
• Refer clients to medical professionals when necessary

At Spectrum Advanced Aesthetics, we teach skincare consultation and analysis as part of our Basic Esthetician Program. We believe that skin analysis is one of the most crucial parts of being an esthetician, so we do everything we can to ensure that our students will be successful in this part of the field.

#1: To Determine Skin Type

Before an esthetician can successfully treat a client, they must perform an analysis so they’ll know what type of skin they’re dealing with. The main skin types include:

• Normal – Smooth texture and balanced moisture with few imperfections
• Oily – Shiny with excessive sebum production and enlarged pores
• Dry – Dull, rough, or flaky with tightness and lack of natural oils
• Combination – Oily T-zone with normal or dry cheeks
• Sensitive – Easily irritated and prone to itching, burning, or redness
• Aging/Mature – Decreased elastin and collagen production leading to fine lines and wrinkles, loss of firmness, uneven skin tone, and dryness

Once a client’s main skin type is established, the esthetician can recommend treatments and products to help beautify the skin.

#2: To Convey Confidence in Their Abilities

A thorough skin analysis gives the client a non-verbal message about their esthetician’s confidence. An authoritative touch from the esthetician helps signal that they are highly trained and know what they’re doing.

#3: To Identify Problem Areas

Closely studying the skin allows an esthetician to identify any skin concerns or anomalies they may see. Some common skin problems that should be addressed include:

• Acne
• Dryness and dehydration
• Fine lines and wrinkles
• Hyperpigmentation
• Sensitivity and redness
• Uneven tone and texture

Once these problem areas are identified, the esthetician can create a treatment plan, recommending specific procedures and products to correct the issues.

#4: To Customize Product Recommendations 

The skincare market is flooded with options, and it can be difficult for people to know what will work best for them. 

An esthetician should use skin analysis to help them recommend the best products based on the client’s concerns, skin type, and issues. They can also caution clients about which products to avoid, as some skincare ingredients or using too many products could worsen specific conditions.

#5: To Track Treatment Progress

Skin analysis should be done at every appointment to let the esthetician and client know if what they’re doing is working or if they need to consider other options.

The digital skin analysis system we teach at Spectrum Advanced Aesthetics provides a baseline to help guide estheticians in their process. The before photos show what issues are present in great detail, and each subsequent after photo should show improvement in pore size, skin tone, fine lines/wrinkles, or whatever is being addressed.

This lets the client and esthetician know if what they’re doing to target the issue is working. 

#6: To Refer To Medical Professionals When Necessary

A trained esthetician should be able to tell if what they’re seeing is just something happening on the client’s skin that falls within the range of “normal” issues or if they should be referred to a medical professional, as in the case of melanoma or other possible skin cancers.

The steps to an effective skin analysis should include:

1. Client consultation – This is an important first step in any skin analysis because the client deals with their skin every day and can best tell the esthetician about their concerns and goals. This step can also be used to discern any lifestyle factors or habits that are affecting skin health.
2. Visual examination – Next, the esthetician should observe the client’s skin without the use of any other tools. This can help identify any skin issues that are visible to the naked eye, which are probably what most need to be addressed.
3. Tactile examination – Physically touching the client’s skin helps the esthetician assess moisture levels, elasticity, and texture.
4. Magnifying examination – This involves using a magnifying lamp or Wood’s lamp to inspect the skin with enhanced visibility, which is especially helpful in identifying issues such as clogged pores, hyperpigmentation, and sun damage.
5. Digital photo-imaging examination – Digital skin analysis should be performed at each session to establish a baseline and track progress.
6. Assessment and recommendations – Estheticians can use all the information gathered in previous steps to recommend treatments, products, and skincare advice.

Spectrum Advanced Aesthetics is a Portland esthetician school that teaches the science of healthy skin. Skincare consultation and analysis is a big part of our entry-level esthetician certification — and with good reason. A talented and effective esthetician must know the intricate steps of evaluating a client’s skin so they will then know how to improve it.

Your potential in the skincare industry is limitless. Let Spectrum Advanced Aesthetics offer you the greatest opportunity to succeed as an esthetician. Click the button below to connect with an admissions advocate and find out how you can get started in this lucrative and rewarding career field.