8: Posture, Body Mechanics & Hygiene

Question 1

Describe the personality and proper conduct of an esthetician:

Answer 1

• outgoing personality and caring nature/ people person
• be able to hold a conversation and remembering previous conversations
• remember what a client likes (i.e shade of polish)
• must be able to control his/ her feelings
• must have a positive outlook

Question 2

What should be done when a client arrives?

Answer 2

1. Greet client with his or her name
2. Check appointment book before client arrives to confirm name
3. Show client to their seat
4. Offer them a drink or magazine

Question 3

What should be done when a client leaves?

Answer 3

1. Ensure that the client isn’t leaving any valuables behind
2. Assist the client to the check out area
3. Recommend home care solutions to the client
4. Assist the client with his/ her car keys to minimize smudging
5. Help the client with their coat to minimize smudging

Question 4

How should the esthetician have a conversation with the client?

Answer 4

• light conversation avoiding topics such as religion, politics and debatable topics
• leading the client to talk with the occasional use of a few well-chosen words
• recognize when the client does not want to engage in conversation
• do not participate in gossip or tell secrets / do not talk about clients to other clients
• know when to change conversation and not show favouritism

Question 5

Describe proper posture of an esthetician:

Answer 5

• esthetician spends long hours with arms forwards and head downwards causing strain on the trapezius muscles across back of shoulders
  -these muscles have a tendency to tighten up and exert pressure on the nerves leading away from that part of the spine to the arms
  —if this situation is left to progress, this pressure can start to irritate the nerves, ultimately leading to headaches, pins and needles,, pains or loss of sensation in the hands and arms
  —this situation can be avoided with proper attention to posture/ seated position and if they stretch and flex their shoulders while working to prevent tension build up

Question 6

How should the esthetician be sitting while working?

Answer 6

• should have a properly designed stool with a back support
• should sit rat with feet flat on the floor
• should have lower back against stool with back slightly hallowed
• shoulders held back and down
• hands held at an easy distance with elbows resting on the table

Question 7

• What is Tenosynovitis?

Answer 7

-an inflammation of the tendons and synovial capsules of the wrists and finger joints that make movements of the hands and joints painful

Question 8

• what is carpal tunnel syndrome?

Answer 8

-gives pain, “pins and needles” or partial paralysis in the hands
—results from the narrowing of the carpal tunnels, the passages through which nerves pass between the arms and hand

Question 9

What can be done to prevent hand and wrist issues while working?

Answer 9

• vary their work
• work station should be at comfortable height
• dont work for too many hours
• get sufficient rest periods and holidays

Question 10

What is the proper way to use your arms correctly?

Answer 10

• sit up straight and use arms form the shoulders/ avoid using hands from the wrists only
• keep your hands straight on the wrists/ avoid excessive ulnar or radial deviation; or excessive wrist extension
• when performing massage do not let thumb move too far away from your fingers/ try to use all digits so that you do not put too much strain on your thumbs, or any particular finger

Question 11

Exercises that can be done to keep your hands and wrists pain free:

Answer 11

• wrist extension: stand by your table and place your palms on the table. With your elbows straight, lean forward so your wrists are stretches in extension. Hold for 30 seconds
• finger extension: in the same position, move your hands to the edge of the table so that only the fingers are on the table. Apply pressure to stretch the fingers in extension. Hold for 3- seconds
• Wrist flexion: place your hands together with the dorsal of the hands together. Stretch the wrists into flexion and hold for 30 seconds
• finger flexion: fold your hands into a fist and squeeze. Open your hands and stretch your fingers away from each other as far as you can