Showerthought: a client in Boise taught me to check for medication changes first

I was doing a standard facial on a regular client about six months ago, and her skin reacted badly to a product we'd used before with no issues. I asked if she'd started any new prescriptions, and she mentioned a blood pressure med her doctor put her on two weeks prior. In my experience, that kind of detail changes everything. Now I always ask that question during the intake, even for regulars. Has anyone else had a client's skin suddenly change because of a new pill?

3 comments

3 Comments

patricia6851mo ago

It's wild how often that happens. My mentor drilled that into me years ago, to always ask about meds even if you know the client. Had a lady break out in these tiny bumps after a peel, and it turned out she'd just started hormone replacement therapy. Her doctor never said a word about skin changes. Now it's the first thing I check on the form, right at the top. It really does feel like you're solving a mystery sometimes.

barbara_baker571mo ago

Absolutely learned this the hard way too. Had a long-time client come in with sudden, terrible dryness and redness. We went through her whole routine and nothing made sense. Finally asked about new meds, and bam, she was on Accutane for a month. Her doctor never mentioned the skin side effects. Now my intake form has a big bold line for medications and I check it Every Single Time. It saves so much trouble and keeps clients safe.

thea_mitchell201mo ago

That part about the doctor never mentioning the side effects is so real. My friend's dermatologist put her on a new blood pressure pill and just said "might cause some dizziness." She called me a week later because her face was peeling like crazy and she had a rash on her neck. Turns out that's a known but less common reaction. She had to switch meds. Makes you wonder why they don't give the full list.