Final answer:
The initial step in a skin analysis is to cleanse the skin with a gentle, non-abrasive cleanser, which prepares the skin for accurate examination by removing makeup, dirt, and oils.
Step-by-step explanation:
The first step when performing a skin analysis is B) Cleansing the skin.
During a skin analysis, the initial step is to thoroughly cleanse the skin. This is essential to remove makeup, dirt, and oils, providing a clean baseline to examine the skin's condition accurately. Dermatologists recommend using a gentle, non-abrasive cleanser to avoid exacerbating any skin concerns, such as acne. It is important to use your fingertips and to avoid scrubbing, as scrubbing can make skin issues like acne worse.
Cleansing should always precede other steps such as applying moisturizers, extracting blackheads, or applying sunscreen, as these steps can interfere with the examination of the skin. This procedure helps professionals to identify any skin conditions and to provide the most accurate treatment recommendations for maintaining healthy skin.