In the event of a client reaction to a treatment, what is the esthetician's first step?

In the event of a client reaction to a treatment, the appropriate first step for an esthetician is to refer the client to a medical professional. This is crucial because client safety and health are the top priorities in any esthetics practice. By referring the client, the esthetician ensures that they receive the right medical care tailored to their specific situation, which may require a professional assessment or treatment that exceeds the scope of knowledge or capability within esthetics. It also helps mitigate any potential complications from the reaction and fosters a professional relationship with clients by prioritizing their well-being.

Other actions, such as documenting the reaction or trying to treat it independently, may follow, but those should occur after ensuring that the client has the medical attention they need. Contacting the client a week later does not address the immediate concern of the reaction, which could potentially worsen without proper intervention. Thus, referring to a medical professional is the most responsible and effective initial response in such situations.