Mobile therapist equipment - Facials

[aly10]

Evening all,

I will hopefully very soon be launching a mobile massage and facial business after recently qualifying to carry these out. This will only be on a part time basis as I am employed elsewhere (not in this industry). eventually I hope to make this a full career change, but it's a big risk, hence why I'm dipping my toe into it slowly to begin with.
Anyway, my question is regarding the equipment I need for facials. I was hoping to purchase a portable steamer but have read mixed reviews, and wondered if they are practical to carry around and use on a mobile basis? I would need a table high enough to put it on so it reaches the client. If the client didn't have this then inwould need to purchase one and it's even more equipment to be carrying about. Then I wondered if a hot towel warmer would be sufficient instead of a steamer. I personally prefer hot towels to a steamer when I have my own facial, but I know lots of people love the steaming element. Would appreciate any advice on what others do who are mobile? Thank you

 

[RosieR]

Hi aly10,

My advice would be to keep your service as minimal as possible. Don't incur unnecessary costs if you don't have to. Lugging to and from the clients' house with all your equipment is a real bind. Takes ages to set up and return their environment back to normal.

I don't need nor use a steamer. Never have in my own business but I did use one when I was in college. It was a sloppy mess, leaked all the time and was a hazard. Yes it was a very long time ago, it is just not for me.

I use hot flannels as my source of heat warming steam in a bowl and they are gorgeous. A few drops of essential oil completes the very pleasant start to the facial. The client will usually have a plentiful hot water supply , aided by the kettle or thermos flask if necessary.

To deep clean the skin I use an ultra-sonic skin spatula which I started using a few years ago, but a good enzyme exfoliator is an alternative option. The spatula is a small hand held unit and takes up no room.

Hot flannels and wet sponges will be adequate to remove any skin product as long as they are a nice temperature.

If a simple approach isn't enough then you can easily upgrade at any time.

Personally, I have never needed to as my hands are my tools. Massage and a beautiful cleansing routine will always be a delight. Get your clients to enjoy what you offer and I hope it works out well for you.

 

[aly10]

Hi aly10,

My advice would be to keep your service as minimal as possible. Don't incur unnecessary costs if you don't have to. Lugging to and from the clients' house with all your equipment is a real bind. Takes ages to set up and return their environment back to normal.

I don't need nor use a steamer. Never have in my own business but I did use one when I was in college. It was a sloppy mess, leaked all the time and was a hazard. Yes it was a very long time ago, it is just not for me.

I use hot flannels as my source of heat warming steam in a bowl and they are gorgeous. A few drops of essential oil completes the very pleasant start to the facial. The client will usually have a plentiful hot water supply , aided by the kettle or thermos flask if necessary.

To deep clean the skin I use an ultra-sonic skin spatula which I started using a few years ago, but a good enzyme exfoliator is an alternative option. The spatula is a small hand held unit and takes up no room.

Hot flannels and wet sponges will be adequate to remove any skin product as long as they are a nice temperature.

If a simple approach isn't enough then you can easily upgrade at any time.

Personally, I have never needed to as my hands are my tools. Massage and a beautiful cleansing routine will always be a delight. Get your clients to enjoy what you offer and I hope it works out well for you.

Thank you so much for the advice, I was starting to get a little stressed about all the equipment I would need, to make the experience as good as possible.
Is it OK to ask for hot water from a kettle or better to bring my own thermos..
customised facials seem to be the in thing at the moment, so was planning on doing a deep clean steam Facial, anti age, one for sensitive skin etc. Using different products for each. I'll have to re think the steam one though Out of interest what kind of facials do people In offer?

 

[RosieR]

Hi again,

When you receive the booking my clients would ring me usually in the first place so it is then an opportunity to discuss their health, skin problems, if they're on any medications which could cause allergies etc.
It is a very useful pre-appointment discussion whereby you can ask about the facilities. You must be able to wash your hands before doing anything is the first step. Just be polite and ask for anything that you need to make the facial good. Price will come up too.

Give them an idea also about what is going to happen, Where you can do the treatment etc.
An essential part of preparing yourself for the new environment.

The latest mobile client that I have taken on recently had a dog which was a real cutie, but it may be something you need to know if say you have a pet allergy.
Honestly the questions could run into a hundred but just ask what you want to know and take the first visit as a lesson. Ring them again if you need extra information and hearing your voice will be so much nicer than a text message and make them feel like you really are looking forward to their up coming appointment.

Facials? Customisable is good. You can do the same cleanse, hot towels, scrub and then add to it a French facial massage and nourishing masque, Retinol sheet masque or Calming masque. Clay masques are deep cleansing and I sometimes do clay and then follow it with a nourishing masque or a face ,neck, decollete, scalp massage. It is up to you.

Kaeso do very nice collections of skin care if you are on a tight budget. Again there is no need to spend lots of money kitting yourself out until you have a notion that your side line business will be a success.

 

[aly10]

Hi again,

When you receive the booking my clients would ring me usually in the first place so it is then an opportunity to discuss their health, skin problems, if they're on any medications which could cause allergies etc.
It is a very useful pre-appointment discussion whereby you can ask about the facilities. You must be able to wash your hands before doing anything is the first step. Just be polite and ask for anything that you need to make the facial good. Price will come up too.

Give them an idea also about what is going to happen, Where you can do the treatment etc.
An essential part of preparing yourself for the new environment.

The latest mobile client that I have taken on recently had a dog which was a real cutie, but it may be something you need to know if say you have a pet allergy.
Honestly the questions could run into a hundred but just ask what you want to know and take the first visit as a lesson. Ring them again if you need extra information and hearing your voice will be so much nicer than a text message and make them feel like you really are looking forward to their up coming appointment.

Facials? Customisable is good. You can do the same cleanse, hot towels, scrub and then add to it a French facial massage and nourishing masque, Retinol sheet masque or Calming masque. Clay masques are deep cleansing and I sometimes do clay and then follow it with a nourishing masque or a face ,neck, decollete, scalp massage. It is up to you.

Kaeso do very nice collections of skin care if you are on a tight budget. Again there is no need to spend lots of money kitting yourself out until you have a notion that your side line business will be a success.

Hi,

Great advice thank you.
I'm only just beginning to advertise, so I know it will probably be really slow to begin with, and to be honest I'm fine with that. It isn't going to by main source of income, so there's no pressure if that makes sense. It's more of a passion/hobby at this stage, and if it becomes a success then that's an added bonus
Good thinking about pets, since having my son I've become allergic to them! It's so bizarre as I never had it before children. Doesn't mean I definately can't do it, I'm usually ok if I take antihistamines beforehand, so I would need to have that discussion with them.
I've got the Keaso calming range. I did a facial for a relative who has sensitive and eczma prone skin, and she said her skin felt lovely after. I was aiming to offer a calming/soothing facial with the Keaso range. An anti ageing one with some collegen/hylouronic acid masks/moisteriser.
I've recently got very into my Korean skincare. All natural products tailored to make skin dewy and healthy looking. I was therefore also thinking of offering a Korean glow Facial using these products.
I'm just stuck on what type of facial I could do for more oily/combination skins if I'm not offering steam/extractions. Is it appropriate to still call that a 'deep clean' facial x

 

[RosieR]

A deep clean facial can be anything you want it to be. As long as you are happy with your offering. Perhaps be guided by the product line you are considering. The clue will be in the product itself.

Clay is a thorough detox in itself. Enzyme peels, Anti-ageing products are good on acned skin as a rule if there is a fruit acid /retinol content.
Some comedones come out easily after the hot cloths and exfoliation procedures.


For every 50 facials I do only 1 will be more of an extraction type deep clean. However I will still not miss anything out so that they receive the best that I can give.
So I do:-

Double cleanse, hot towels, enzyme peel, or rice grain mechanical scrub. Toner, Ultra sonic skin spatula, comedone removal if required. Clean hot towels to remove the residue. The rest of the method is whatever your more tailored facial should be. HTH

 

[aly10]

A deep clean facial can be anything you want it to be. As long as you are happy with your offering. Perhaps be guided by the product line you are considering. The clue will be in the product itself.

Clay is a thorough detox in itself. Enzyme peels, Anti-ageing products are good on acned skin as a rule if there is a fruit acid /retinol content.
Some comedones come out easily after the hot cloths and exfoliation procedures.


For every 50 facials I do only 1 will be more of an extraction type deep clean. However I will still not miss anything out so that they receive the best that I can give.
So I do:-

Double cleanse, hot towels, enzyme peel, or rice grain mechanical scrub. Toner, Ultra sonic skin spatula, comedone removal if required. Clean hot towels to remove the residue. The rest of the method is whatever your more tailored facial should be. HTH

Thats great thank you for your advice, much appreciated.
I guess it's so easy to get carried away with all the different products I could use (I'm a bit of a skincare freak!) But as I'm just starting out it's sensible to keep costs low and build up if I need to x