Contraindications

The following conditions may prevent or restrict you from receiving specific services at ESI. Please note that while this list covers many contraindications, there may be others not listed below that would also prevent you from receiving services, and we reserve the right to determine what constitutes a contraindication. Speak with your skincare professional and your doctor if you have any questions or concerns.

Contraindications that PREVENT a facial treatment: Viruses such as colds, cold sores, warts, Bacterial infections such as impetigo, boils, conjunctivitis, styes, Fungal infections such as ringworm, blepharitis, Undiagnosed lumps or swelling, Broken bones, known sensitivity or allergy to products. Eczema, psoriasis, cold sores, fresh bruising, open sores, bleeding, tooth abcess, broken jaw or other facial bone, facial cancer, head lice, recently consumed alcohol, under the influence of drugs, unstable blood pressure, recent head injury, recent neck injury, fever, contagious disease, recent haemmhorage, recent scarring, severe acne

Contraindications that could RESTRICT a facial treatment: The following conditions are contraindications that will not necessarily stop the treatment from taking place but they may mean that the treatment is restricted or may have to be adapted: Cuts/abrasions/broken skin,Bruises or swelling, Recent scar tissue (less than six months old), Eczema, Dermatitis, Psoriasis, Acne vulgaris, Acne rosacea, Skin tags, Milia, Recent sunburn, Current medication that may affect treatment needs to be disclosed, Claustrophobia,Broken capillaries/veins. Immediate aftercare: The skin has been deep cleansed, stimulated and nourished. No aftercare is needed except to leave it alone. Avoid picking, squeezing pimples or touching the area. Do not apply make-up for at least 8 hours if possible, Avoid any further overstimulation and heat treatments for at least 12 hours, Avoid highly perfumed products, No depilation (hair removal) should take place after a facial, If any rash, irritation or itching occurs just apply a cool flannel to the area. Long-term and homecare advice: Regular use of homecare products will help the skin, Regular facials will help to regulate a problem skin.

Contraindications that PREVENT or RESTRICT for massage:

• Fever: When you have a fever, your body is trying to isolate and expel an invader of some kind. Massage increases overall circulation and could therefore work against your body’s natural defenses.
• Inflammation: Massage can further irritate an area of inflammation, so you should not administer it. Inflamed conditions include anything that ends in –itis, such as phlebitis (inflammation of a vein), dermatitis (inflammation of the skin), arthritis (inflammation of the joints), and so on. In the case of localized problems, you can still massage around them, however, avoiding the inflammation itself.
• High blood pressure: High blood pressure means excessive pressure against blood vessel walls. Massage affects the blood vessels, and so people with high blood pressure or a heart condition should receive light, sedating massages, if at all.
• Infectious diseases: Massage is not a good idea for someone coming down with the flu or diphtheria, for example, and to make matters worse, you expose yourself to the virus as well.
• Hernia: Hernias are protrusions of part of an organ (such as the intestines) through a muscular wall. It’s not a good idea to try to push these organs back inside. Surgery works better.
• Osteoporosis: Elderly people with a severe stoop to the shoulders often have this condition, in which bones become porous, brittle, and fragile. Massage may be too intense for this condition.
• Varicose veins: Massage directly over varicose veins can worsen the problem. However, if you apply a very light massage next to the problem, always in a direction toward the heart, it can be very beneficial.
• Broken bones: A little light massage to the surrounding areas, though, can improve circulation and be quite helpful.
• Skin problems: You should avoid anything that looks like it shouldn’t be there, such as rashes, wounds, bruises, burns, boils, and blisters, for example. Usually these problems are local, so you can still massage in other areas.
• Cancer: Cancer can spread through the lymphatic system, and because massage increases lymphatic circulation, it may potentially spread the disease as well. Simple, caring touch is fine, but massage strokes that stimulate circulation are not. Always check with a doctor first.
• Other conditions and diseases: Diabetes, asthma, and other serious conditions each has its own precautions, and you should seek a doctor’s opinion before administering massage.
• HIV infection: Some people still think of AIDS as something that can be “caught” through simple skin- to-skin contact, but is not the case not the case. If there is no exchange of bodily fluids (blood, semen, vaginal fluids, or mother’s milk), HIV can’t be transmitted during massage. So, HIV infection is not contraindicated for this reason. However, some of the infections that people suffering from the later stages of AIDS experience are contraindicated, and you should avoid those infections. Loving, soothing contact is extremely important for people at any stage of infection, but in the case of any visible rashes, sores, lesions, or swelling, massage is best left to a professional. If you have any cuts or scrapes or scratches on your hands, it’s an especially good idea to wear thin surgical gloves while massaging an HIV-infected person with any signs of open lesions.

Contraindications for hot stone massage: As in any other body work, there are contraindications. And for hot stone, here is as follows. Anyone with high blood pressure, taking any medication that might react with heat, open wounds or sores, inflamed skin conditions, diabetes and neuropathy, which is numbness and tingling of the peripherals. Also contraindicated is pregnancy. During pregnancy, a hormone called relaxin is increased which lengthens and softens the tissue of the body and prepares it for birth. The increased heat from the stones and the deep tissue work can further lengthen these tissues making it problematic for after birth when the tissues are trying to shorten.

Paraffin Bath Contraindications: Paraffin should not be applied to skin with fresh, deep or openly bleeding wounds. The wax could inadvertently lock in bacteria, resulting in infection. Inflamed skin is not a good candidate for the treatment, either. It could increase pain associated with burns and inflammation and cause skin damage. Certain skin conditions, including neoplasm and tumors, should not be paraffin treated. A dermatologist should be consulted for the final decision. Diabetic patients and those suffering from vascular disease or circulation problems should not use a paraffin treatment. Only a physician can decide if it is appropriate. If paraffin use results in an allergic reaction or increased skin sensitivity, further treatments should not be repeated. To do so might result in skin damage. Treatments that appear hotter or colder than it should be could be an indication of an underlying health issue. They should be suspended until a physician has cleared the patient for reuse. Children, the elderly and individuals with physical disabilities should not have paraffin bath treatments. Anyone who cannot read and understand treatment instructions should also be barred from use without assistance.

Waxing contraindications: Waxing is a method of semi-permanent hair removal which removes the hair by the root. New hairs will not grow back in the previously waxed area for two to eight weeks. Almost any area of the body can be waxed, including eyebrows, face, bikini area, legs, arms, back, abdomen and feet. There are many types of waxing suitable for removing unwanted hair. Wax applies at just the right temperature and thickness for perfect results every time. Wax is applied thinly over the skin using the wax cartridge. A cloth or paper strip is then pressed on the top and ripped off with a quick movement against the direction of hair growth. This removes the wax along with the hair. It will feel like a plaster being pulled off quickly. Pain tolerance will depend on each individual client. However if you know you don’t tolerate pain easily then take a couple of pain relief tablets (that you have used before and have had no reaction to previously) about an hour prior to treatment and this should reduce the pain somewhat.

Contra-indications that PREVENT waxing: Contagious skin condition – wait for the condition to clear before waxing,Thin or fragile skin – can cause bruising and tearing of the skin which may lead to infection,Use of steroid medication – this can cause a thinning of the skin. Waxing should not be done whilst using such medication, and not until 3 months after completing the treatment,Unidentified lumps or swelling,Previous allergic reaction to treatment.

Contra-indications that may RESTRICT waxing: Raised moles and skin tags. Wax should not be applied directly over them, Abrasions, bites, broken skin, bruises – avoid waxing the affected area until healed,Varicose veins – do not wax over the affected area

Immediate aftercare: The waxed area may be red and there may be some blood spots, especially where the hairs are strong, i.e. on the bikini line or underarm. An afterwax cream containing aloe vera will be applied to help cool the skin, reduce the redness and keep the skin moisturized. Aftercare for a period of 24 hours following treatment :No sunbathing or sunbeds, Avoid bathing in sea or swimming pool,Do not take a hot bath or shower, a cool one is absolutely fine, Do not use deodorant/antiperspirant, Avoid tight clothing, Do not use perfumed products on the area, No make-up or self tanning preparations, Do not keep touching or picking at the area.

Long term care advice: Look after your skin on your body as you would on your face,Lots of moisturizer will stop the skin becoming too dry, especially in the winter months, Sloughing the skin with a loofah in the shower will help to keep the blood circulation stimulated, bringing lots of oxygen and nutrients to the skin to keep it in good condition, Massage will help remove the build-up of toxins in the skin and keep the area both nourished and smooth, Exfoliating the skin will help to stop the hairs becoming ingrown, Gentle exercise, regular sleeping patterns and eating plenty of fruit and vegetables, whilst cutting down on smoking and alcohol and drinking lots of water, really does work and not just for the face.

Manicure/ Pedicure contraindications: Contra-indications that prevent a manicure or pedicure treatment:

• Fungal Infections. These type of infections spread very rapidly and often thrive in damp areas and can appear soft and spongy. For example: athlete’s foot (ringworm of the foot) ringworm of the hand.
• Bacterial Infections. This type of infection is usually characterised by swelling, tenderness and redness in the area. For example: paronychia, whitlows, onychia.

Contra-indications that may restrict a manicure or pedicure treatment: Viral Infections. These infections are very common and treatment can be adapted by using a waterproof dressing and avoiding the area. For example: Verruca vulgaris (common warts), verruca plantaris (verruca of the foot). Onycholysis. This is a disorder where the nail separates from the nail bed. Non- infectious nails can be manicured or pedicured as long as there is no fungal or bacterial infection. Onychocryptosis (ingrowing nails). This may affect the fingers or toes, Split nails, brittle nails, Blue nails, Beau’s Line, Nail/finger biting,Hangnail, Splinter haemorrhages, Overgrown cuticles, Pits and grooves, Flaking and breaking nails, Bruised nails, Eggshell nails, Corrugations (or wavy ridges), Furrows (depressions), White Spots, Koilonychia (spoon nails), Claw Nails.

Immediate aftercare advice: Following your manicure or pedicure treatment please allow adequate time to allow your nails to dry before leaving. Please bring open toed shoes with you when you have a pedicure treatment. Longterm and homecare advice To prolong the life of your varnish wear suitable gloves or a special barrier cream when completing tasks involving any dirty work or other work involving the use of water or chemicals such as gardening, washing up, hairdressing, car maintenance. Do not bite nails or surrounding skin and keep an emery board available to deal with ragged free edges to the nails, so that the temptation to bite is removed. Use a moisturising hand cream or lotion regularly. Avoid using the nails as tools, use the pads of your fingers instead of your nails. Products that can be used to help improve the condition of nails and skin for hands and feet:Base coat, nail varnish, top coat, Nail strengthener, Cuticle Cream,Moisturising cream or lotion, Emery boards and nail files,Buffers,Rough skin remover for feet,Foot powder.

Eyelash and eyebrow tinting Contra-indications that PREVENT an eye treatment from being carried out: Conjunctivitis. Stye. Blepharitis. Virul infections. Bruising to the area. Reaction to a patch test for tinting and perming.

Immediate aftercare advice: Do not touch or rub the area immediately after treatment. Cooling mild antiseptic products, e.g. witch hazel, should be applied to the area. No make-up should be applied to the area for 12 hours, as the follicles are open and infection may occur. If redness or irritation occurs apply damp cotton wool pad to the area. The effects will last approximately 4-6 weeks depending on how quickly the hairs grow out.Stray re-growth hairs can be removed at intervals to prolong the effect of eyebrow shaping. Strong sunlight will make the results fade faster.

THE FOLLOWING ARE CONTRAINDICATIONS OF SERVICES AT ESI, AND CAN PREVENT YOU FROM HAVING YOUR SERVICE WITH US:

• Use of Rentinols within 7 days of service
• Use of Accutane within 6 Months of service
• Allergies to the following: Citrus, Nuts, Shellfish, Metals, Aloe
• Open Lesions or Wounds
• Pregnancy

*Please reach out to us if any of the above apply to you.

NAIL SERVICES: Please do NOT exfoliate within 24 hours of service.