Handling the High-Cortisol Client

It is honestly fascinating to look at the science behind what we see in the treatment room every day. When a client walks into the salon with sudden premature aging, deep breakouts, and painful acne flare-ups, we can almost always trace it right back to the high stress levels in their lives.

Knowing that a spike in cortisol completely paralyzes their Langerhans cells, the skin's natural security guards, explains exactly why this happens! These cells are supposed to patrol the skin to fight off bacteria and fix damage, but stress completely freezes them and drops their numbers. The skin is left totally unprotected, so it starts aging and breaking out rapidly.

Because their skin's immune system is on lock down, aggressive peels or deep extractions will totally backfire. Instead, we have to switch our treatment plan to gentle, barrier-repairing facials and send them home with a stripped-back routine focused on ceramides and soothing ingredients until things calm down.

I’d love to know my fellow therapists, what do you normally do in the treatment room for highly stressed clients, and what is your absolute go-to home care advice for them?