NIC Esthetician Written ExamSafety and Infection ControlMedium

Which of the following is an example of a local contraindication for an esthetic service?

  1. AA client who is pregnant and requesting a full body massage.
  2. BA client who is currently taking oral Accutane (Isotretinoin).
  3. CA client with a recent sunburn on their décolleté area.
  4. DA client with a severe, uncontrolled systemic illness like diabetes.
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: C. A client with a recent sunburn on their décolleté area.

A local contraindication is a condition that affects only a specific area of the body, making it unsafe to perform a service on that particular area, while other areas may be treated. A recent sunburn on the décolleté means that area should be avoided, but other parts of the face or body might still be treatable.

Why the other options are wrong

  • A. Pregnancy is a systemic condition, and while specific modifications are needed, it's considered a medical or systemic contraindication rather than a local one for a full body massage.
  • B. Oral Accutane is a systemic medication that makes the skin fragile all over the body, posing an absolute contraindication for many aggressive esthetic treatments.
  • D. Severe, uncontrolled systemic illnesses are generally absolute or medical contraindications, affecting the entire body's ability to undergo treatment safely.

Local Contraindication

A condition in a specific area of the body that makes it unsafe to perform a particular esthetic service on that area, but other areas may still be treated.

  • Affects only a limited part of the body.
  • Service can proceed on unaffected areas.
  • Examples include sunburn, localized infection, or bruise.

Memory trick: Local is an area, Absolute is a NO-GO.

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