Why Skin Care History Is the Most Important Part of Your Esthetics Intake Form

An esthetician can learn a lot from looking at a client's skin. But they can learn more from what the client tells them about it. Skin care history -- what products they've used, what treatments they've tried, what reactions they've had -- is the context that turns a good treatment plan into a great one.

Here's why this section of your intake form deserves careful attention.

Skin Type Is Only the Starting Point

Every esthetician assesses skin type during the consultation. But skin type alone doesn't tell you what to do. Two clients with oily, acne-prone skin might need completely different approaches if one has been using retinoids for a year and the other has never treated their skin at all.

History fills in the gaps that observation can't. A client's current routine, how their skin has changed over time, and what they've already tried gives you a map of what's worked, what hasn't, and what to try next.

Product Reactions Aren't Always Visible

A client who had a severe reaction to a salicylic acid peel three years ago probably doesn't have visible evidence of it today. But if you use a similar formulation without knowing, you're risking a repeat of that reaction.

Your intake form should ask specifically about:

• Products or ingredients that have caused irritation, redness, or breakouts
• Treatments that were discontinued and why
• Known sensitivities or allergies to skincare ingredients

This isn't information clients will volunteer unprompted. You need to ask for it directly and specifically.

Medical Context Changes Everything

Certain medications, conditions, and life circumstances affect the skin in ways that change what treatments are safe and effective:

• Accutane (even if discontinued months ago) affects skin healing and contraindicates many treatments
• Blood thinners increase bruising risk during extractions
• Pregnancy limits which active ingredients can be used safely
• Autoimmune conditions can cause unpredictable skin reactions
• Cancer treatments often make skin extremely sensitive

A structured intake form with dedicated fields for medications and medical conditions catches these flags before you're mid-treatment. Generic "anything else we should know?" text boxes miss them regularly.

It Sets Realistic Expectations

When you understand what a client has already tried, you can have an honest conversation about what to expect from your recommendations. If they've been through three different retinol products without improvement, jumping to a stronger retinol probably isn't the answer -- and telling them that upfront builds trust.

Skin care history also helps you explain timelines. A client with years of sun damage won't see dramatic results from one facial, and their history gives you the context to set those expectations clearly.

How to Collect It Effectively

A wall of text fields asking about "skin care history" will get you vague, unhelpful answers. Instead, structure this section:

• Current routine: What products are you using daily? (Morning and evening separately)
• Past treatments: Professional treatments in the last 12 months (peels, laser, microneedling, etc.)
• Reactions: Have any products or treatments caused irritation or adverse reactions? If yes, which ones?
• Goals: What skin concerns are you hoping to address?
• Reference images: Allow photo uploads so clients can show you what they're dealing with or what they're hoping to achieve

Use conditional logic to keep it manageable -- if a client says they haven't had any professional treatments, skip the follow-up questions about treatment details.

Every Returning Client Needs an Update

Skin care history isn't a one-time data point. Clients change products, start medications, develop new sensitivities. Before each visit, a quick update form that asks "has anything changed since your last appointment?" keeps your records current without requiring the full intake again.

The five minutes a client spends filling out their skin care history saves you from guesswork, protects them from adverse reactions, and gives you the foundation for a treatment plan that actually fits their unique situation. Don't skip it, and don't settle for a generic text box. Structure it well and you'll get the information you need to do your best work.