'What’s It to You?' The Truth Behind Your Esthetician’s Consultation Form

Let’s be honest—when you sit down for a facial or waxing appointment and your esthetician hands you a consultation form, you might skim through it, check a few boxes, and think, Do they really need to know all this? You might even be tempted to fudge a little—because, really, what does my water intake have to do with my skin?

Well, the short answer? Everything.

As estheticians, we aren’t just asking these questions for fun. Your consultation form is like our road map, helping us navigate your skin’s needs, your health history, and how to give you the safest, most effective treatment possible. So let’s break it down and talk about why honesty really is the best policy when filling out that form.

Medical History: More Than Just a Formality

Some clients hesitate to disclose medical conditions or medications, thinking they aren’t relevant to their waxing or skincare appointment. But trust us, they are! Certain medications, like blood thinners or acne treatments (hello, Accutane!), can affect healing, increase sensitivity, or even make treatments unsafe. The same goes for conditions like diabetes, autoimmune disorders, or pregnancy—these all impact how your skin reacts and recovers.

So, if we ask, Do you have any medical conditions?—it’s not to be nosy, it’s because your health and safety come first, and knowing beforehand allows us to tailor your appointment to your specific needs, and suggest a safer service or alternate method of achieving the same results.

Lifestyle Questions: No Judgment, Just Solutions

Do you smoke? How much water do you drink? How often do you exfoliate?

We promise, we aren’t here to scold you. These questions help us understand what’s going on beneath the surface. Smoking, for example, affects circulation, which can slow healing and contribute to premature aging. Dehydration? That can make your skin dry, dull, and prone to irritation—no matter how many serums you apply! Knowing this may help us focus on streamlined products and services necessary to you and set realistic expectations.

When we know your habits, we can tailor treatments and home-care recommendations to work with your lifestyle, not against it.

Waxing-Specific Questions: Protecting Your Skin

If you’ve ever had your brows waxed, you know the skin around the eyes is incredibly delicate and prone to skin lifting more so than any other area besides the labia. This is why knowing the active ingredients in your skincare products and scrubs is crucial! If you’re using retinol, AHAs, or other exfoliating ingredients in excess, your skin could be more susceptible to irritation or even minor damage during waxing.

Another important question: Have you ever had a reaction to waxing hair removal? This isn’t to discourage you from booking—it’s to gauge whether you might have an allergy to the wax itself, the aftercare oil, or if you simply experience a harmless histamine reaction that resolves within a day or two.

Do you typically tweeze in between appointments? This tells me ahead of time if I should carve out a minute or two to go over proper tweezing techniques to help preserve your brow shape and ensure you’re not removing hair improperly—because improper tweezing can lead to hair growing back at odd angles!

Allergies & Sensitivities: The Difference Between a Glow and a Reaction

We’d rather be extra cautious than have you leave with redness, irritation, or—worst case scenario—an allergic reaction. Whether it’s a sensitivity to latex, certain skincare ingredients, or even after wax oil, this information is crucial to avoid any unwanted surprises.

A simple heads-up about allergies can mean the difference between a relaxing treatment and an uncomfortable experience.

Previous Treatments: Setting Realistic Expectations

If you’ve had Botox, fillers, laser treatments, or other aesthetic procedures, we need to know! Certain treatments don’t mix well or require waiting periods to ensure the best results.

Plus, if you’ve had previous permanent makeup or aggressive skin treatments, that changes how we approach your service. We want to enhance your beauty, not interfere with past work—or worse, cause complications.

Trust the Process (and Your Esthetician)

Filling out your consultation form honestly isn’t just about us—it’s about you. It ensures you get the safest, most effective, and most personalized experience possible.

So next time you see that form, take a deep breath, fill it out fully, and know that every answer helps us take the best care of you. No judgment, just glowing results.

Have questions about our consultation process? Drop them in the comments or ask at your next appointment—we’re here to help!

xoxo Dahlia