If a practitioner discovers a consumer has a communicable disease during a service, what should they do?

Stopping services immediately in a safe manner is the appropriate response when a practitioner discovers that a consumer has a communicable disease during a treatment session. This action prioritizes the health and safety of both the practitioner and other clients in the establishment. By ceasing the service, the practitioner helps prevent the potential spread of the communicable disease to others.

Continuing the service, even with caution, poses significant health risks, as the practitioner could inadvertently transmit the disease. Informing other clients about the situation could cause unnecessary panic and also breaches confidentiality and professionalism standards. Referring the client to a specialist without stopping services may lead to further risk of transmission, as the client remains in the salon environment.

In the context of esthetics, practitioners must be vigilant about hygiene and the well-being of all individuals present in the salon, making immediate cessation of service the most responsible decision in such scenarios.