Have you ever had a bad experience at a spa? We’ve all been there – when you have a service with a facialist that results in more redness or breakouts post facial.

Finding an esthetician requires a little more than just googling the spas in your area. You want to make sure you’re shopping for the right practitioner for your skin needs. If you’re looking for a quick targeted fix, a medical aesthetician might be the direction you choose. If you’re looking to address the long term health of your skin, working with a holistic esthetician is a great choice!

We’re here to guide you through some questions to ask an esthetician and things to look for before booking your first appointment!

Best practices and questions to ask estheticians

Finding your perfect esthetician is a little like dating; you have to ask the questions to know what you’re getting into to see if it's a match. These questions offer both you and the esthetician clarity in aligning with your expectations and values. Here are some questions we recommend asking before your first appointment with a new practitioner:

• What should I expect during the facial?

• Are there specific services focused on my skincare concern/needs? (List your concerns)

• How do they address your specific skin concerns? What is their approach?

• Are they a holistic esthetician and have holistic practices? Or are they more focused on medical or invasive treatments?

• What brands do they use in their services and for treatments and for after care/home skincare regimens?

• If they have any specializations they focus on? (Acne, aging skin, hyper or hypopigmentation, melanated skin, etc.)

• How many years of experience do they have? (While lesser years of experience does not necessarily mean they are inexperienced, it’s helpful to know how long they’ve been offering treatments on clients in the treatment room. Some estheticians may have deep knowledge in other areas inside and around the beauty industry.) 

• Do they offer an intake questionnaire, survey, or have set aside time to chat with you about your skin goals? 

• Do they offer customized treatments?

Red flags for skincare treatments

There are some definite concerns you should be aware of when you’re inside a spa getting a treatment. Here are red flags when you’re receiving a service from an esthetician.

If the esthetician is unlicensed - Estheticians must have a state license to practice esthetics on any clients. If they are unlicensed or their license is expired, don’t continue with any service.

Cleanliness of environment - Check to see if their esmé (area where they prep masks and tools for your treatment) is clean and sterile. Are they using disposable products? Do they have a sterilizer to sterilize their tools? Lift back blankets and sheets to make sure they’re clean. 

Painful services - If you feel that something isn’t right, or your skin is having a reaction (itching, burning, feels painful), speak up during your appointment in the moment. Most estheticians will be able to remove products immediately if you’re having an adverse reaction. And while extractions can be a little painful, a good esthetician will communicate with you when they are performing this procedure. 

For waxing services:
Do they have disposable liners or cleanable surfaces for you to lay on? 

Are they wearing gloves while performing the waxing service?

Are their wax pots clean or do they have lots of wax remnants on their pot?

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An esthetician’s job is to both treat your skin where it’s at in the moment, working toward your skin goals, and also offer advice for keeping a routine that will work for your skin type after their service is over. In addition to building a trusting relationship, a good esthetician will always leave you more educated about practices and ingredients when you have a treatment. After all, skin can be a very vulnerable thing to talk about, and your esthetician should be discerning and empathetic when it comes to treating your skin.

If you’re interested in booking a Botnia holistic esthetician near you (they’re the best of the best!), check out our list of spa partners around the nation.