Client Consultation

Consultation is the first part of any treatment provided in a beauty salon or spa and is essential for both the client and therapist. It may be carried out immediately before the treatment or an appointment can be made just for a consultation, so the client has time to discuss all the options with a therapist before booking any treatments.

The importance of consultation to the therapist is that it provides all the information required to plan the most appropriate treatment for each client. The therapist will ask for personal details such as contact information, lifestyle and their current beauty regime. Medical history will be discussed as this enables the therapist to recognise any contraindications that may prevent or restrict certain treatments. The client's own objectives for treatment are also noted and discussed. A record card is completed with all the relevant details and this will be updated at each subsequent appointment.

The consultation is important to the client as it provides them with the opportunity to ask any questions that may help in deciding which treatments are best for them, it also helps to initiate and promote a professional relationship with the therapist who is treating them.

Details of clients' purchases should also be noted on their record card as this indicates the homecare advice that she has been given and also when new products will be required.

The information recorded on a client's record card is completely confidential and must be stored in a secure place that is not accessed by any unauthorised person. The Data Protection Act 1998 lays down the legal guidelines that must be followed in protecting client information.

When the client returns for further treatments the record card should be made available to the therapist who will be treating her, as this will allow them to see the client's treatment history at a glance. The therapist will then discuss the last treatment, if the client was happy with the results, what her objectives are now and if she wants to make any changes or modifications to the current treatment plan.