Unit of competency details

Element 

Performance Criteria 

Elements describe the essential outcomes of a unit of competency.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the required skills and knowledge section and the range statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the evidence guide.

1 Confirm treatment plan.

1.1 Access client’s treatment plan. 

1.2 Identify and note any variations to treatment plan .

1.3 Discuss and confirm the treatment plan with client .

1.4 Select treatment products  according to agreed treatment plan, treatment product ingredients and manufacturer instructions.

2 Manage a facial massage service.

2.1 Prepare service area, operator and client for treatment according to relevant legislation and codes, workplace policies and procedures  and treatment plan.

2.2 Select and sequence massage routine  according to client treatment plan.

2.3 Use energy, water and other resources efficiently during treatment process to reduce negative environmental impacts.

2.4 Safely dispose of all waste to minimise negative environmental impacts according to workplace procedures.

3 Cleanse skin.

3.1 Cleanse and exfoliate treatment areas  according to agreed treatment plan.

3.2 Perform skin steaming  according to agreed treatment plan.

3.3 Treat minor skin conditions  according to treatment plan.

3.4 Apply antibacterial or antiseptic lotions where required in treatment plan.

4 Perform massage.

4.1 Apply an appropriate massage medium  according to treatment requirements.

4.2 Adapt application of massage movements  to suit elasticity of skin, degree of subcutaneous fat, treatment products and client’s relaxation needs.

4.3 Adapt length of the massage routine to suit client requirements.

5 Apply skin care products.

5.1 Select mask or mask s according to agreed treatment plan.

5.2 Apply and remove masks according to product manufacturer recommendations, relevant legislation and workplace policies and procedures.

5.3 Apply post-treatment skin care products  according to the treatment plan.

6 Review treatment and provide post-treatment advice.

6.1 Evaluate and note outcomes of treatment , make recommendations for further treatments  and revise treatment plan accordingly.

6.2 Advise client of suitable home-care products , treatments and appropriate lifestyle changes .

6.3 Explain product use and demonstrate application as required.

6.4 Explain possible adverse effects  to client.

6.5 Advise client of expected outcomes of future treatments.

6.6 Rebook client according to agreed treatment plan.

This section describes the skills and knowledge required for this unit.

Required skills 

The following skills must be assessed as part of this unit:

• technical skills to:

• respond to contraindications and adverse effects
• interpret treatment plans and adapt treatments to accommodate changes in client's physical conditions
• apply a range of massage routines and movements to suit elasticity of skin, skin condition, degree of subcutaneous fat, treatment products and client's relaxation needs
• apply a range of preparatory, skin care and massage products suitable to client's needs

• communication skills to:

• seek feedback and respond to questions
• provide information and reassurance to client throughout the service

• literacy skills to read and apply relevant workplace documents and manufacturers' product information
• time-management skills to manage time throughout the treatment.

Required knowledge 

The following knowledge must be assessed as part of this unit:

• relevant health and hygiene regulations
• relevant occupational health and safety regulations and requirements
• infection control procedures and application of universal precautions
• workplace policies and procedures in regard to the facial massage
• workplace environmental controls for cleaning and disposing of waste product and equipment
• appearance of contraindications and adverse effects
• effects and benefits of a defined range of skin care and facial treatment products
• factors likely to affect:

• suitability of each treatment for client needs
• effects and benefits of each step in facial massage

• anatomy and physiology of the skin and skin structures as they relate to facial massages, including:

• simplified cross-section of skin
• glands as they relate to basic skin function
• skin chemicals, including sebum and sweat production:

• normal and abnormal
• collagen
• elastin
• lipids

• phases of growth, cell renewal, healing of skin, and factors affecting epidermal mitosis
• normal process of skin ageing and structural change
• physiological basis of skin colour
• electromagnetic spectrum and effect of light on skin
• normal skin response to irritation and trauma
• scars, including hypertrophic and keloid (their origin and evolution) and abnormal scar tissue
• effects of treatments on physical structure of skin
• trans-epidermal water loss
• wound healing in different skin types and locations
• percutaneous absorption and factors affecting penetration of cosmetics
• normal body flora

• body systems in regard to their interdependence and purpose in relation to a healthy body and their relationship to skin, muscles and nerves, including:

• skeletal and muscular system, including muscle contractility and motor points, position and action of superficial muscles of the face, throat and chest
• nervous system and its relationship to skin sensations
• lymphatic, digestive, respiratory, and circulatory systems and their relationship to skin function, including thermoregulation and homeostasis
• endocrine and reproductive systems in relationship to hormonal control of skin

• basic nutrition guidelines and relationship between nutrition and healthy skin, particularly foods which may have an effect on skin or which may be contraindicated in combination with relevant skin conditions or products used in a treatment procedure
• chemical ingredients in relevant treatment products, particularly in regard to their likely effects on skin, the toxic effects of various substances and their contribution to premature ageing and possible contraindications in combination with other products or circumstances
• causes of skin reactions and allergies in regard to treatments.

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit 

Evidence of the following is essential:

• interpreting a treatment plan and making any adjustments required by variations in the client's condition
• recognising contraindications to facial massage
• preparing service area and clients for facial treatments
• applying and adapting safe and effective massage movements and routines to suit client requirements and reactions during treatments
• safely applying and removing selected facial treatment products used during treatment
• evaluating outcomes of facial massage treatments and advising client on future treatments.

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

Assessment must ensure:

• that competency is consistently demonstrated over a period of time and observed by the assessor or the technical expert working in partnership with the assessor as described in the Assessment Guidelines
• that competency is demonstrated in the workplace or a simulated workplace environment in a range of real work situations which may include client interruptions and involvement in other related activities normally expected in the workplace.

Assessment must ensure access to:

• an environment, which includes as a minimum:

• individual client workstations
• adjustable facial couch with safe working access for operator and equipment
• magnifying lamp
• facial steamer or vapourzone
• facial massage products from a professional range
• apprppriate supply of towels
• client gown or cover

• appropriate cleaning and disinfection products and equipment
• relevant workplace documentation including:

• manufacturer's equipment instructions
• product instructions
• manufacturer safety data sheets
• workplace policies and procedures manuals

• a range of clients with different facial requirements.

For further guidance on the use of an appropriate simulated environment, refer to the Assessment Guidelines in this Training Package.

Methods of Assessment 

A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:

• observation of learners performing a range of tasks in a simulated work environment, over sufficient time to demonstrate handling of a range of contingencies, including:

• selecting, applying and removing treatment products according to agreed treatment plan
• applying massage movements according to client needs
• evaluating treatment outcomes and recommending future treatments
• discussing post-treatment care with client and recommending home-care products

• written and oral questioning appropriate to the language and literacy level of the learner, to assess knowledge and understanding of providing facial treatments, including a knowledge of anatomy and physiology, health and hygiene, and infection control procedures
• completion of workplace documentation relevant to performing facial massage
• third-party reports from technical experts
• completion of self-paced learning materials, including personal reflection and feedback from a trainer, workplace coach or supervisor.

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:

• SIBBCCS301A Apply the principles of skin biology to beauty treatments
• SIBBCCS403A Recognise body structures and systems in a beauty therapy context
• SIBBCCS404A Work in a skin therapies framework
• SIBBCCS405A Develop treatment plans.

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Treatment plan  must include:

• required treatments
• outcomes of any previous treatments
• facial areas requiring special treatment
• massage movements and routine
• contraindications
• relevant medical history and medications
• products
• tools and equipment
• post-treatment products
• home-care advice.

Variations to treatment plan  may include:

• changes in client's physical condition
• changes to client requirements.

Clients  may include:

• new or regular clients with routine or special needs
• female or male clients
• people from a range of social, cultural and ethnic backgrounds and with varying physical and mental abilities.

Treatment products  may include:

• exfoliants:

• friction
• biological
• glycolic

• toning lotions
• moisturisers
• cosmetic treatment ampoules.

Relevant legislation and codes  may include:

• federal, state or territory, and local health and hygiene regulations
• skin penetration legislation
• occupational health and safety regulations
• industry codes of practice.

Workplace policies and procedures  may include:

• health and hygiene
• selection of face and skin care products
• performance of manual facial massage
• time frame allocated for service
• environmental protection practices, such as:

• waste minimisation
• recycling
• reuse
• energy efficiency, e.g. electricity saving devices and practices
• waste disposal
• resource management
• water efficiency.

Massage routine  must include:

• rhythm
• repetition
• variation.

Treatment areas  may include:

• face
• décolletage and shoulders
• back.

Skin steaming  must include:

• towel
• vapourzone.

Minor skin conditions  may include:

• open comedones
• closed comedones
• milia.

Massage medium  may include:

• oils
• creams.

Massage movements  must include:

• effleurage
• petrissage
• tapotement
• vibration.

Massage movements  may include:

• Dr Jacquet
• pressure points.

Masks  may include:

• setting
• non-setting
• specialised.

Post -treatment skin care products  may include:

• astringent
• moisturiser
• sunblock.

Outcomes of treatment  may include:

• appearance of skin
• adverse effects.

Recommendations for further treatments  may include:

• scheduling of treatments
• electrical facial treatments
• body treatments.

Home -care products  may include:

• cleansers
• toners
• moisturisers
• remedial products or specialised products.

Lifestyle changes  may include:

• improved nutrition
• improved sleeping patterns
• sun protection
• alcohol reduction
• tobacco reduction.

Adverse effects  may include:

• erythema arising from skin care products or massage medium
• skin blemishes due to massage stimulation
• allergic reactions of the skin or body to treatments or products
• inflammatory reaction to treatment or product
• psychological reactions of client to treatment or products
• conditions that indicate client referral to a medical practitioner or complementary therapist.