I Nicked My Client- What to Do (and Say) When a Treatment Goes Wrong

The blade caught instead of gliding. Then there was a tiny bead of red on my client's jaw — and I had two choices: quietly dab it and hope she didn't notice, or stop and tell her. This episode is about why you always tell her — and exactly how to do it. If you do this work long enough, something will go wrong. A dermaplaning nick. A wax lift. A peel reaction. It doesn't mean you're bad at your job. But how you handle it decides whether you keep the client or lose her trust for good. We're covering why clients don't leave over injuries (they leave over how you handled them), what to physically do in the first sixty seconds, word-for-word scripts for owning a mistake in the treatment room, and what to do after she leaves — aftercare, follow-up, documentation, and insurance. Then we get specific about dermaplaning safety and the habits that prevent nicks in the first place. Because your clients don't need you to be perfect. They need you to be honest. **In this episode:** - My dermaplaning nick story — and the choice every esthetician faces in that moment - Why hiding a mistake turns a small injury into a trust problem - The first sixty seconds: stop, name it, treat it, toss the blade, adjust the service - The 4-beat formula for talking to a client after an injury: own it, action, expectation, follow-up - Word-for-word scripts for a dermaplaning nick, a wax lift, a peel reaction, and the client who finds it at home - How to apologize the right way (and what not to promise on the spot) - The 24-hour follow-up text that turns a complaint into a trust story - Incident documentation and why you should check your insurance policy now - Dermaplaning safety: face mapping, blade angle, skin tension, and why you should stop talking during blade work **Resources mentioned:** the in-the-moment scripts, the 24-hour follow-up text, and the aftercare checklist are in the show notes. *This episode is professional education for licensed estheticians, not medical or legal advice. Always follow your state board's infection control and scope-of-practice rules, your insurance carrier's incident reporting requirements, and your product manufacturer's protocols. Refer to a medical provider for anything beyond a superficial injury.* **Resources & Links** **Real Skin Pro Treatment Room Companion App** Become a subscriber for instant access to skin analysis guides, treatment room resources, consultation tools, ingredient education, skin condition references, and continually updated professional education designed for licensed estheticians and esthetics students. 🔗 Subscribe here: https://www.realskinpro.com/app-landing-page **Website** Learn more about education, resources, workshops, coaching, and upcoming opportunities. 🔗 https://www.realskinpro.com 🎙 **Connect with Me** Instagram: @real\_skinpro  Private Facebook Group for Pros: https://www.facebook.com/groups/930389736385647 Email: lisa@realskinpro.com 📚 **Free Resources** Download free cheat sheets, educational tools, and other esthetics resources here: 🔗 https://www.realskinpro.com/app-landing-page ⭐ **Enjoying the podcast?** If this episode helped you become a more confident esthetician, I'd truly appreciate it if you would:  • Follow the podcast  • Leave a rating and review  • Share this episode with another esthetician or esthetics student Every share helps grow our professional community and allows me to continue creating free educational content for our industry. **Disclaimer:** This podcast is intended for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Information shared is designed to support professional learning and should always be used within your scope of practice and in accordance with local laws and regulations. Real Skin Pro Education is dedicated to helping estheticians think differently, treat skin intentionally, and create real, lasting results. Follow along for more advanced skin education and insights. Instagram: @real\_skinpro