Are Facials Really Worth the Time & Expense? Part 2


There’s no doubt that facials can be a relaxing experience. However, the true purpose of a facial is skin care. If relaxation is your main goal, a full body massage might be a better option. A great facial will not only pamper and relax you, but it will also afford you these skin care benefits:

  • Deeply and thoroughly cleansed skin.
  • Extraction of blackheads and whiteheads.
  • Relief from severely dehydrated skin, and help restoring your skin’s natural barrier function through the application of rich moisturizing and nourishing masks.
  • Wrinkles will be smoothed out through the application of moisturizers containing moisture binding ingredients that plump and smooth the skin.
  • Smoother, softer skin as a result of exfoliating treatments such as scrubs, peel-off masks, or a light chemical peel.
  • Help fading brown spots and discoloration, improvement of skin tone, and the reduced appearance of wrinkles through professional AHA or BHA treatments.

First and foremost, an adept aesthetician will avoid causing needless irritation to your skin. He or she knows that irritation can result in a variety of problems. Therefore, they’ll avoid the following:

  • Steaming the skin with abnormally hot steam since it can worsen redness and potentially result in broken capillaries.
  • Overly aggressive extractions which can make clogged pores worse and push acne lesions deeper into the skin.
  • Products with fragrances, both natural and synthetic, since they cause irritation.
  • Products with irritating ingredients such as alcohol, camphor, or menthol.
  • Using facial devices without proper training.

 At the end of a facial treatment, any skillful aesthetician will apply a well-formulated chemical-free sunscreen. Since your skin is always more sensitive after a facial, it’s critical to avoid irritation. Chemical-free sunscreens that contain either titanium dioxide or zinc oxide fit the bill because they’re non-irritating.

While I believe in the value of facials, I also know that facials alone cannot replace a daily skin care routine. Therefore, it’s essential to be realistic about what a facial alone can accomplish.  A masterful aesthetician, who uses advanced procedures and products, is a remarkable treatment resource for a host of skin-care issues from acne to anti-aging, but only when their services are part of an effective daily home care regime.  It’s important to know that facials alone cannot:

  • Get rid of acne.
  • Permanently remove discolorations.
  • Replicate cosmetic dermatologic procedures like Botox, lasers, or dermal fillers.
  • Rectify rosacea or persistent redness.
  • Lift sagging skin.
  • Eliminate dark circles or puffy eyes.
  • Remove "toxins", or decongest the skin.

Product sales are an important income source for salons and spas. Therefore, aestheticians and support staff all have monthly sales goals to meet. As a result, there will be a fair amount of pressure on you to buy products. At this point, I hope you’ll remember my advice, and be an educated consumer. Before you make a purchase decision, read ingredient labels, and think carefully about the claims the various product lines are making. If the claims sound too good to be true, they probably are.

 It’s not unusual for product line companies to offer to train the staff of salons/spas carrying their products. I urge you to find an aesthetician who’s gone beyond these training sessions to learn about specific ingredients and devices. An aesthetician with curiosity and a desire to learn more than the basics is worth knowing. Your aesthetician will advise you, and recommend the best skin-care products for you to use at home; even if those brands or products aren’t sold at the salon/spa. 

You'll achieve the best results when you combine an effective daily skin care regime with great regular facials.


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