Illness deserves its own spot in your policy because it affects healing as well as your calendar. Herpes simplex reactivation is a good example for lip clients. A clinical guideline on HSV-1 and cosmetic procedures lists physical trauma, lip trauma, fatigue, UV exposure, and temperature extremes among the triggers, and it notes that the needle trauma of an aesthetic procedure can provoke reactivation. The same guideline points out that the evidence on exact risk after minimally invasive procedures is limited, which is a good reason to stay thoughtful and avoid overpromising. AAM’s own lip blush aftercare article covers how HSV-1 stays dormant in the trigeminal ganglion and how irritation can add to the risk. A packed holiday schedule tends to bring extra fatigue and stress, so this comes up more often this time of year.

Ask clients to tell you before the appointment if they have a fever, an active cold sore, or any illness. Let them know you will reschedule without a penalty whenever safety calls for it, and point clients with a history of cold sores toward their physician for questions about prevention. A no-penalty illness reschedule protects the client’s healing, your other clients, and your reputation.