If you suspect a client is not compliant, what is the best way to confirm this?

Confirming a client's compliance with their skincare regimen is essential for effective acne treatment. Checking the client's product usage history is the most reliable method for several reasons. It provides concrete data about what products the client has been using, how frequently they have used them, and for how long. This historical data can help identify patterns, such as missed applications or incorrect product usage, that may contribute to the client's current skin condition.

While asking the client directly about their product use can provide some insight, it is subjective and relies on the client's self-reporting, which can be influenced by various factors, including memory or the desire to please the practitioner. Evaluating how their skin looks can also provide some clues to product effectiveness, but it’s not a definitive measure of compliance, as skin improvement or deterioration could be influenced by many other factors outside the client’s skincare routine. Assessing acne extractions might help gauge the condition of the skin, but it does not directly indicate whether the client is following their treatment plan.

Thus, checking the product usage history stands out as the most objective approach to firmly establish the client's compliance. It allows for a comprehensive understanding of their skincare practices and informs the best course of action moving forward.