Skin Disorders and Management SS1 Beauty & Cosmetology Lesson Note

Acne (The Common Pimple)

We mentioned acne before, but it is important to understand its “levels.”

• What it looks like: Blackheads, whiteheads, or painful red bumps (cysts).
• Management: * Advise the client to use “Non-comedogenic” products (this is just a big word for products that don’t clog pores).
  1. Tell them to stop “picking” or “popping.”
  2. Suggest washing the face twice a day with a gentle cleanser containing salicylic acid.

Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis)

Eczema is very common, especially in children and people with very dry skin.

• What it looks like: Patches of skin that are dry, itchy, and red. On darker skin, it can look purplish or brownish. If the client scratches it, the skin becomes thick like “leather.”
• Management: * No Scents: Tell the client to avoid soaps with strong perfumes.
  1. Moisture is Medicine: Use thick creams like Shea butter or petroleum jelly immediately after a bath to “trap” water in the skin.
  2. Cool Down: Hot water makes eczema worse. Suggest lukewarm water for bathing.

Rashes and Heat Rash (Miliaria)

In our hot Nigerian weather, heat rash is a major problem.

• What it looks like: Tiny red bumps or blisters that “prickle” or itch. It usually happens where we sweat a lot (neck, chest, back).
• Management: * Keep the area cool and dry.
  1. Wear loose cotton clothes.
  2. Use “Calamine Lotion” to stop the itching.
  3. Don’t use heavy oils: Putting thick oil on a heat rash blocks the sweat even more and makes it worse!

Fungal Infections (e.g., Ringworm)

This is not caused by a “worm,” but by a tiny fungus that loves damp, dark places.

• What it looks like: A red or itchy circle that is clearer in the middle (looks like a ring). It can also happen between the toes (Athlete’s Foot).
• Management: * This is contagious! You must wear gloves and disinfect your tools immediately if you touch it.
  1. Advise the client to buy an “Antifungal” cream from a pharmacy.
  2. Tell them to keep their towels and clothes separate from others.

When to Refer to a Specialist

This is the most important part of your training. You must know your limits. You should never try to “treat” a client if you see these Danger Signs:

1. Bleeding or Oozing: If a skin growth or a mole is bleeding or leaking fluid.
2. Sudden Change in a Mole: If a dark spot on the skin is changing shape, getting bigger, or has “jagged” edges. This could be a sign of skin cancer.
3. Spreading Fast: If a rash is moving across the body very quickly.
4. Pain and Fever: If the skin problem comes with a high body temperature.

The Referral Rule: “When in doubt, refer them out.” Tell the client: “I am a beauty expert, not a skin doctor (Dermatologist). For your safety, I think you should show this to a doctor before we continue our treatment.”

Summary for the Student

A good cosmetologist protects the client. Sometimes, “protecting” them means refusing to do a facial because their skin is too irritated.

• Observe: Check the client’s skin under a magnifying lamp.
• Ask: “When did this start? Does it itch? Does it hurt?”
• Sanitize: Always wash your hands and tools after dealing with a skin disorder.

Class Practical Activity:

• The “Spot the Difference” Game: I will show you photos of various skin marks. You will try to identify which one is a “Normal Pimple” and which one looks like a “Danger Sign” that needs a doctor.

The Script: Practice how to tell a client they need to see a specialist without making them feel scared or insulted.