Elements and Performance Criteria
- Consult with client on hair reduction requirements.
- Determine, through discussion and questioning, client hair reduction requirements and preferences, and administer client consultation form.
- Review client medical and treatment history to identify factors impacting or prohibiting suitability for treatment.
- Use diagnostic tools and observation techniques to determine client Fitzpatrick skin type and characteristics.
- Discuss treatment suitability, options and limitations with client.
- Advise client on treatment procedure, outcomes, and possible effects and after care.
- Encourage client questions and check client understanding of treatment procedure, outcomes, and possible effects and self-care.
- Determine contraindications to treatment.
- Consult with and visually observe client to identify and determine impact of contraindications.
- Determine non-medical precautions for non-medical contraindications and explain to client.
- Advise client to seek and provide signed proof of medical release for medical contraindications and medical precautions prior to treatment.
- Prepare self and client for patch test.
- Check treatment environment is correctly organised and free from safety risks and hazards.
- Confirm completion of risk assessment and equipment checks and take any required corrective action.
- Set up equipment and check to ensure correct functioning as per manufacturer instructions and safe practice protocols.
- Cleanse and prepare treatment area and sanitise equipment prior to use on client.
- Instruct client to prepare for patch testing, check client comfort and make any required adjustments to ensure client comfort.
- Identify jewellery worn by self and client and remove, or where not removable, tape according to workplace procedures.
- Fit and adjust personal protective equipment, including eye protection, to self, client and others who may be present during treatment.
- Explain patch test process and likely sensations to client to ensure client comfort.
- Select and prepare patch test area within proposed treatment area.
- Complete patch test.
- Follow workplace policies and procedures, non-ionising radiation safety plan and legislative requirements to complete intense pulsed light patch test.
- Select energy settings (fluence) based on client consultation and apply a small number of pulses to test area.
- Record energy settings and observe immediate reactions looking for an end point to assist in designing safe and effective treatment.
- Identify and respond immediately to adverse reactions by stopping treatment and explaining reason for stoppage to client.
- Select and apply post-treatment skin cooling products according to client reaction to patch test.
- Wait length of time specified in organisational policy, and observe and record skin response.
- Design treatment program.
- Determine appropriate treatment type and program according to outcomes of client consultation and patch test, and within safe practice protocols.
- Discuss proposed treatment program, expected results and risks with client.
- Communicate pre-treatment and post-treatment precautions and care, and ask questions to confirm client understanding.
- Discuss role and responsibilities of the practitioner and the client and gain client agreement to client responsibilities.
- Identify need for and take and store photographs of hair reduction pre-treatment area according to workplace policies and procedures.
- Discuss and select treatment evaluation strategies with client.
- Finalise and document treatment program and gain signed client consent.