• Business Insider asked estheticians about the red flags to watch out for when getting a facial.
• Estheticians should always offer a consultation before treatment to learn about the client’s needs.
• Estheticians should use medical-grade products, but beware of those who care too much about labels.

Getting a facial from a licensed esthetician can help uncover the root cause of skin woes and provide personalized product recommendations and routines.

But choosing a skincare specialist is a feat in itself. After all, you want to select someone knowledgeable who will help your skin look and feel its best.

That’s why it’s so important to understand the things a licensed esthetician should and shouldn’t do in a spa. Here are five red flags to look out for when getting a facial, according to estheticians.

Estheticians should always offer a consultation before treatment

Meghan LeClairé, the founder of LeClairé Skincare, a luxury med spa in San Diego, emphasized that “consultations are absolutely necessary for a successful service.”

She noted that consultations are essential for an esthetician to get acquainted with a client’s skin concerns, allergies, sensitivities, skincare routine, and overall goals.

Without this vital step, several issues can arise, such as incorrect treatment, unmet expectations, and an inadequate treatment plan.

The consultation should happen either prior to, or at the beginning of, your facial appointment.

Spas should always be properly sanitized

“Spas that are not kept clean or properly sanitized are a red flag,” said LeClairé. “This can cause a spread of bacteria on implements and tools that are used on each client.”

Some signs of an improperly sanitized studio include lint or hair in the sheets (this could mean the estheticians recycle linens with multiple clients), dirty customer bathrooms, dusty counters and tabletops, and foggy or cloudy disinfectant liquid.

Elizabeth Bautista, the spa director at Ocean Pearl Spa in San Diego, agreed.

“Be mindful of an esthetician’s room,” she advised. “After every client, it is a requirement to wipe all surfaces and replace all linen.”

Professional estheticians should use medical-grade skincare products

LeClairé warned that over-the-counter skincare products may be “more likely to irritate the skin and lead to underwhelming results.”

If the products used in treatment are not medical grade, they’re less likely to perform correctly and deliver the desired outcome.

LeClairé admitted that scheduling a facial can be costly. However, this is usually because the esthetician is using high-grade products and educating the client on the ideal treatment for their skin concerns.

However, steer clear of estheticians who care too much about luxury labels

In the same vein, it’s important to watch out for estheticians who promote only luxury or high-end products. You may want to reconsider working with an esthetician who seems to recommend something solely because of the label instead of your skin’s needs.

Bautista warns that they might be recommending a product just for the sake of a sale. She said all products should be “something that you will use and is in line with your budget.”

Facials don’t need to be aggressive to be effective

“Facials do not need to be aggressive to work,” Bautista said. “Some of the best facials are about keeping skin nourished and hydrated.”

She said basic tools and ingredients like a gua sha, zinc, and tea-tree oil mixed with a conservative amount of baking soda can go a long way for a variety of skin concerns, such as wrinkles or acne.