A facial is among the best ways to take care of your skin. A facial treatment nourishes, cleanses, and exfoliates the skin. The results are a well-hydrated complexion and a youthful appearance.
What are the steps of a facial treatment?
These are the primary steps:
- Consultation. The esthetician will ask you to complete a form that asks questions about your skin concerns, health habits, medications, and medical issues. The goal of the questionnaire is to figure out if any of these circumstances are impacting your skin.
- Skin Analysis. The esthetician will cover your eyes and look at your skin through a brilliantly lit magnifying lamp. S/He determines your skin type and skin condition (acne, blackheads, whiteheads, aging, sun damage, dehydration, etc.) This step will help her choose the correct products and treatments. She will discuss with you what she sees and recommend treatments.
- Cleansing. The esthetician will wrap your hair with a towel and headband and thoroughly clean your face using a cleanser, cotton pads, wipes, or sponges.
- Steam. After the cleansing, a facial steamer will deliver a thin vapor of warm steam to your face. This procedure is relaxing and helps soften blackheads and whiteheads.
- Exfoliation. The esthetician will use a mechanical or chemical defoliant to loosen or rub away dead skin cells from the skin’s surface.
- Extractions. Blackheads or whiteheads are pressed out from affected pores. Extractions are optional.
- Facial massage. The objective here is to calm you and stimulate your skin and facial muscles.
- Facial mask. The type of product used is specific to your skin type (dry, oily, combination, sensitive, mature) and condition. The esthetician will wait in the room while the mask is on your face. S/He will give you a scalp massage or another service.
- Final application. The facialist will apply products like toner, serums, moisturizers, and sunscreen in this final treatment step.
- Advice on home skin care. The esthetician will explain how she thinks you can take better care of your skin at home. She will also recommend products—this is a part of his or her job. You aren’t obliged to purchase anything.
Things to Do and Avoid After a Facial Treatment
In the following article, Sharon Feiereisen describes several “dos and don’ts” of facials. Her list is thorough and helpful if you’re a novice or an experienced client.
Facial Best Practices: The Dos and Don’ts You Need To Know
Getting a facial should be more than just a massage. You want to see results – but not the kind of results that leave you with redness from extractions or breakouts. I have very sensitive skin so I no longer do extractions (one too many bad experiences), and I’ve ended up breaking out more often than not from facials (including after one at a Mandarin Oriental Spa…so just because you’re paying top dollar, don’t think you can go in blindly!). Read the full story here… snobessentials.com
There are two items that I’d add to Sharon’s list. First, don’t schedule an appointment or plan to do anything after a facial. No matter how careful you are, your hair will get messed up, and you’ll have facial hair afterward. From personal experience, you can do nothing to regain your hairstyle. But who cares? Going home, relaxing, and enjoying your spa treatment is a great feeling.
Second, if you’re going to get a peel, ask how much your skin will peel and for how long. You don’t want to get a peel when you have an important business meeting or social event on your calendar during the next two weeks. Several times, I have had to cancel meetings or find an excuse for declining an invitation because the skin on my face was peeling, and it looked like I had a skin condition. I was pleased with the results; I didn’t plan correctly.
I picked up several pointers that will make my facial treatments even better. For example, I will avoid overheating, so I won’t sweat out any goodies that my facialist just put in. Keep in mind facials are only one factor for a great complexion. Using good skincare products and maintaining a regular daily skincare routine at home is essential to achieving a healthy and youthful appearance.
Is there anything you’d add to Sharon’s list? Or what was a big a-ha you gained? Enjoy your next facial!
