What Every Aesthetician Should Know About Treating Teenage Clients Who Have Not Fully Matured or Developed

Many aestheticians are seeing teenage clients these days. Teenage young women want to emulate their mothers and other role models, and a visit to the spa just seems natural to many of them. In fact, many mothers give their teenage daughters gift certificates to the spa during the holidays, and many others take their daughters with them so that they both can enjoy the benefits.

Girls in high school talk among themselves frequently, and going to the spa can quickly become the “in” thing at any given school, creating an inrush to your spa of teenage clients anxious to have a facial, a massage, or other treatments. Teenagers are also influenced by celebrities and they all know that many actors and actresses frequent spas and have many treatments. Few people believe for instance that Angelina Jolie’s lips got that pouty look naturally. Botox is suspected, and that leads teenagers to want to use Botox or other injectables themselves.

Keep in mind however if you have teenage clients that they are not fully developed. They are still growing and they are legally minors. With that in mind  if you work in a medical spa remember to restrict the procedures received by the teenage client to those procedures that are suitable. You can probably be a good judge yourself of what is suitable, but if not be sure to consult her parents. Staying away from dermal injections, deep chemical peels and dermabrasion is wise since the client is still growing. However, alphahydroxy chemical peels, facials, and microdermabrasion will probably be fine to do. Make sure however that the parent present also understands all implications of any procedures performed. It would also be wise when treating clients who are minors to have written parental consent.

More invasive procedures are often performed on teenage patients, but only with parental consent. When they see Lindsey Lohan or Britney Spears in the tabloids, in magazines like Tiger Beat, or on TV shows like Entertainment Tonight, the first incineration many teenage fans have is to do what their idol does. Getting more business to your spa is great, and is something every aesthetician wants, but be sure that all legalities are followed when dealing with minors, and be sure that nothing is done that cannot be undone later when the client is older.