In case you’re interested in what exactly I write on my client charts per facial, here are several examples of actual notes from a few of my client’s charts. As you can see, there is a uniformity to the notes although each entry is different in its own way.
This first entry is from the first facial of a long-term, monthly client of mine. In seven years, I think she has missed or had to cancel only 3 or 4 appointments. She is regular!
- 10/7/08—Very congested-tons of embedded blackheads. Pustules & papules—not too bad. Esp (R) mouth—phone (knows it). Not easy to ext—tried to get BHs & any obvious infections. Shorter massage. Used JUV—15—52—D1. Massaged until soaked in. Ac—103 & JUV. (s) all. Needs Yonka & my facials for now. Acupuncture weekly. Good self care. P—MILK/GEL—LPNG—15—303—103—TS
As I’ve mentioned in previous articles, writing down the details is an important process in chart writing. Thinking you will remember may work for you, but it never really has for me. If I don’t write while the client is masking, I will miss certain things that may be important. Once the client has left the building any number of things can happen to distract you from writing on her chart. The phone could ring, a text might come in, your next client might be really early. My point is: write things down when they are fresh in your mind. Otherwise you might forget to remember.
In the left, blank area of the chart of the following client, I noted: 5 wks; 15 min early. The five week note just lets me know she was one week later than her usual monthly appointment. And as I’ve said—clients do show up early, so be on time! I noted that because if she continues to be early over and over, I will need to get to the office a bit earlier to be sure I’m ready for her—vs. asking her to come a bit later. If she was continually 15 minutes late, that might be an issue that could be addressed at some point.
- 03/10/15—Very worn out. Work is stressful until the end of this month. She was so tired—she fell asleep during massage—a first! Used MILK—GEL—303—305—MICRO—GAUZE—D1—EXT—JUV—52—PG/SERUM—MASSAGE—Pc/Nc—103. P—15
- 4/14/15—Looks great. Just a few more BHs than normal but NO INFECTIONS! Said she has been changing her thyroid meds, which seems to help her skin. So—we’ll see. New great realtor who will sell house--she looks much more relaxed than last month. Used MILK—303—305—ALPHA EXF—GAUZE (so sticky!)—HYD—Ext many BHs (some w/lancet help)—JUV—52—PG—SERUM—PAMPNG—MASSAGE (slept)-Ac-103. P—EAU (-20%)—travel EAU
This process has of course evolved over the years. I never entered every single product I used on a client’s skin although I highly recommend you start off doing so. I now write about 10 lines of notes on the chart; in earlier years I may have written just a few. Over time I discovered how invaluable writing down more about each treatment helped me for the next facial with each client. I certainly can’t remember one month to the next every detail about one client’s facials. Can you?
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