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Whether you’re an injector, microblader, esthetician, laser technician (or really any job that provides a service to people on the daily) you see countless clients each month—and hear the question, “How are you?” just as many times. While it might seem like throwaway small talk, it’s actually a great opportunity to create a connection and set the tone for their appointment.

Your response matters.

The right words can build trust and ease nerves, while the wrong ones might unintentionally send the wrong message. That’s why it’s important to have thoughtful, intentional ways to respond.

In this post, we’ll explore 20 creative and client-centered answers to “How are you?” and highlight what to avoid in your responses. These ideas don’t just work for aesthetics professionals—they can help anyone in a client-facing role build rapport and elevate the experience.

Bonus: 20 Things NOT TO say during a client treatment – real world examples (I kid you not!)

✅ 20 Ways to Answer “How Are You?”

  • I’m doing well, thank you! How about you?

    Polite and client-focused—a perfect default.

  • I’m great, thanks for asking! I'm excited for your treatment!

    Warm and enthusiastic, tying your response to their visit.

  • I’m doing great, thank you! How’s your week going so far?

    Casual but shows interest in their experience.

  • I’m good! Thanks for asking. Did you do anything fun recently?

    Adds a lighthearted touch to the conversation.

  • I’m doing well! Always happy to see familiar faces like yours.

    A personal touch for regular clients.

  • I’m good, thank you! Looking forward to helping you look and feel your best.

    Ties your response to their experience.

  • I’m great! What’s been the highlight of your week?

    Reframes the conversation in a positive way.

  • I’m well, thank you! Anything exciting happening with you lately?

    Keeps the focus on them while remaining light.

  • I’m good! Thanks for asking. Did you do anything fun over the weekend?

    Adds a conversational touch and gets them talking.

  • I’m doing well, thank you! How about you? Anything fun planned after this?

    Invites a positive, forward-looking conversation.

  • I’m good! Thanks for asking. It’s always great to see familiar faces like yours.

    Adds a personal and client-focused touch.

  • I’m great, thanks for asking! I’ve been looking forward to this appointment.

    Shows enthusiasm and values their time.

  • I’m well, thank you. Anything new and exciting in your world?

    Engaging and keeps the conversation flowing.

  • I’m doing well! How about you? Anything you’re celebrating today?

    Perfect for discovering milestones and personalizing their visit.

  • I’m doing well, thank you! What brings you in today?

    Professional and transitions smoothly to their needs.

  • I’m good! Thanks for asking. Ready to unwind and relax?

    Helps set the tone for a soothing session.

❌🤪 20 Ways NOT to Answer “How Are You?”

  • Fine, it's Monday...so

    Unhelpful and a total mood killer.

  • Honestly, it’s been a rough day.

    Oversharing makes clients uncomfortable.

  • Just counting down until lunch/close/Friday.

    Clients don’t need to know you’re just passing time.

  • I’m exhausted. It’s been one of *those* weeks.

    Sounds like you’re not ready to focus on the client.

  • Running behnd, my last client was late so let's get going?

    Dismissive, rushed and not client-focused.

  • 🤪 Well, I was fine until I spilled coffee on the Botox syringes.

    Hopefully never happened—but we all make mistakes!

  • 🤪 Not great. I was just Googling how to fake my own death.

    Let’s hope no one has *actually* said this. Unless there was a great delivery...and it was really funny

  • 🤪 I’m okay… considering my car/cat/bottle of Red Bull exploded this morning.

    Ridiculous (possibly sad) and distracting. Keep the focus on the client.

  • 🤪 Do you really want to know? It involves a raccoon and my neighbor’s pool.

    Creative, but your client probably didn’t sign up for this story...although a good story is a good story

  • 🤪 Oh, you know, just waiting for my reality TV audition callback.

    Amusing, but not the time for career aspirations.

  • Not great. But, hey, at least I showed up, right?

    Sarcasm rarely lands well in professional settings.

  • I’m alive, so there’s that.

    Too flippant and not engaging.

  • 🤪 I’m good! Just training my parrot to say, ‘You’re beautiful!’

    Cute, but a little too eccentric for the medspa vibe.

  • 🤪 Not great, but if you’re hiring, let me know!

    Joking about job-hopping isn’t a good look.

  • I’m hanging in there. Barely.

    Clients shouldn’t feel like they need to cheer you up.

Bonus: 20 Things You Should NEVER Say During a Client Treatment

These are all real things providers have said during treatments. They’re not just unprofessional—they can seriously damage trust and client relationships. Make sure your team avoids these at all costs.

  • “My dog died yesterday.”

    Sharing personal grief during a treatment makes the client feel awkward and powerless to help.

  • “My husband left me last week.”

    Oversharing personal drama distracts from the client’s experience.

  • “My car broke down on the way here, so sorry I’m late.”

    Clients expect punctuality, not excuses.

  • “Your body looks great, but your face is saggy now. You probably need some Sculptra.”

    Pointing out flaws this way is not the same as offering professional advice.

  • “Do not go to [insert colleague’s name].”

    Badmouthing others comes across as unprofessional and petty.

  • “I got so drunk last weekend.”

    Discussing your wild weekend is inappropriate in a professional setting.

  • “We need to hurry this up—I’m running behind.”

    Rushing a treatment makes clients feel like an afterthought.

  • “This is my first time doing this treatment, so bear with me.”

    Admitting inexperience during a treatment destroys trust.

  • “You’re fine—it’s supposed to hurt.”

    Dismissing pain can make clients feel uncared for.

  • “We don’t have time for numbing because you were late, so this will hurt.”

    Blaming the client and skipping comfort measures is a surefire way to lose them.

  • “You can tip me at the front desk.”

    Mentioning tips unsolicited is awkward and unprofessional.

  • “Did you fart?”

    This comment is so unprofessional it’s almost hard to believe!

  • “Do you mind washing your own face? I have a headache.”

    Putting your comfort over the client’s experience is unacceptable.