Follow these tips to help educate clients about the importance of suncare year-round.
• Include suncare in treatment protocols. “This can be as simple as incorporating SPF application as the final step of every facial while explaining its role in protecting the results of the treatment,” says Christiane Werron, executive director of global education at Augustinus Bader. “When clients understand that procedures like exfoliation or advanced treatments can increase photosensitivity, SPF becomes a natural extension of their skincare investment rather than an optional add-on.”
• Conduct a personalized consultation with each client. “Skin professionals can use visual tools, such as UV photography or skin analysis, to demonstrate existing sun damage and explain how daily SPF use prevents further degradation,” says Werron. “By connecting suncare directly to visible outcomes like premature aging, pigmentation, and loss of firmness, spas can shift the conversation from compliance to empowerment.”
• Make sunscreen easy to try. “Making SPF easy to try through testers, samples, or incorporating it into post-treatment recommendations helps clients discover formulas they truly enjoy wearing every day,” says Klaudia Wachowski, global trainer and elite esthetician at RéVive Skincare.
• Stress the importance of making SPF the final step in a skincare routine. “Estheticians’ recommendations carry significant influence when it comes to shaping client habits,” says Marc Ronert, M.D., Ph.D., co-founder and CEO of Image Skincare. “Spas and skincare professionals should position SPF as the final and most important step in any treatment, reinforcing that it protects the investment clients are making in the treatment room. Whether it’s post-peel, post-facial, or post-morning routine, daily sun protection is what helps preserve and extend visible results.”
• Choose a sunscreen based on the client’s skin. “Explain why a specific formula was selected based on the client’s skin type,” says Anetta Reszko, M.D., Ph.D., a board-certified dermatologist. “This allows patients to experience the texture and finish firsthand, which often improves compliance. Keeping the conversation simple and tailored tends to be the most effective.”