What must be done prior to a facial treatment to assess skin reactions?

The correct answer is a skin patch test, which is important to ensure that the products used during the facial treatment will not cause any adverse reactions for the client. This test typically involves applying a small amount of the product to a discreet area of the skin, observing for any allergic or negative reactions, such as redness, swelling, or irritation, over a specified period. This proactive step helps to identify potential sensitivities and ensures client safety, allowing the esthetician to make informed decisions about which products to use during the treatment.

While a client interview is also crucial and typically precedes skin testing, its primary purpose is to gather information about the client's skin type, known allergies, and previous skin reactions. However, the skin patch test specifically assesses the client's current skin tolerance to the product being used and is directly related to avoiding skin reactions during the facial treatment. Skin exfoliation and moisturizing, while important steps in the overall skincare routine, do not contribute to assessing skin reactions prior to a facial treatment.