Facials: The Perfect Holiday Gift
Many people think of facials as an unnecessary or even extravagant luxury, but in actuality, regular facials are an important step in your healthy skin care routine. A facial is much more than pampering; it gives you the opportunity to spend an hour with a skin specialist who will not only help cleanse and rejuvenate your skin, but can also treat specific skin concerns like acne, dryness and aging skin. So whether you’re looking at facials as a gift for your sister or boyfriend or as a stress-relieving necessity for yourself during the busy holiday season, a little research is all it takes to help you book the perfect facial. Enjoy!
Know Before You Go
If you have any specific skin concerns, it’s important to discuss these with your spa professional before he/she chooses which products to use.
A qualified professional can usually help decide what facial will be best for your skin. For those who react easily to products, you might want to test the products on a small patch of skin (such as on your arm) the day before the facial to ensure that you don’t have an allergic reaction after the treatment. If you’re getting a facial for a special occasion, such as a friend’s wedding or a big date, don’t schedule your facial the day of the engagement. Many treatments can initially leave your face slightly red or irritated, so give your face a few days to heal before the big day. And finally, don’t ever visit an unqualified salon or technician! It’s worth the extra money to have your skin in the hands of a certified professional. Do your homework by asking the professional for his/her credentials and experience. Then call the appropriate licensing agency to confirm.
What to Expect
While there are numerous facials available, the basic principle is typically the same. Facials offer a deep cleansing of the face that will effectively remove the dead outer layer of skin to reveal fresh, vibrant skin underneath. The face is typically massaged to help circulate the blood and increase lymphatic drainage (removal of toxins). This massage relaxes the entire face, assisting in wrinkle prevention. A facial steam is normally used to help the skin absorb any products that are applied, as well as to soften blackheads and whiteheads and make them easier to remove. Various products may be used during your session, depending on the particular issues you would like to address. A facial mask is usually the final touch, helping to tone and smooth the skin.
Classic Facials
These are the basic, tried-and-true facials that offer deep-cleansing benefits for almost everyone. Easy on the wallets and not very time-consuming, they’re a great place to start if you’ve never had a facial.
Basic Cleanup: Great for those under 25, this treatment involves cleansing, exfoliating and moisturizing. Warm steam clears up blackheads and whiteheads and is followed with gentle exfoliation to remove dirt and debris. A quick facial massage increases circulation, and the result is clean and glowing skin.
Normal Facial: Just like a basic cleanup, with the addition of a longer and more intense facial massage. Often considered the “traditional” facial, a normal facial is an excellent option for those with normal or combination skin that doesn’t have specific concerns like acne or wrinkles.
European Facial: A traditional facial that uses European products.
Mini-Facial: If you’re short on time, this half-hour deep pore-cleansing treatment makes a great lunchtime treat. It usually includes cleansing, exfoliating, toning and a mask, as well as a quickie pressure point massage.
Facials for Sensitive Skin
Extra Hydrating: These facials are perfect for parched and dehydrated skin.
Prescription Facial: It’s similar to normal facials, except that great care is taken to choose products and a treatment that’s unique to your skin type and concerns. A specialized facial will often include hypoallergenic products for individuals whose skin reacts negatively to new products.
Teens and Adults with Severe Acne
Acne Facials: Especially good for teenagers, an acne facial can be performed every two to three weeks until the problem clears. First, the skin is cleansed, and then gently exfoliated with an enzyme or glycolic acid product. After a warm vapor steam, the pores are extracted to remove stubborn blackheads and whiteheads. Finally, an anti-bacterial mask is applied to tone the skin and tighten pores. Using great products at home is just as important. Between facials, keep your face clear with Murad Acne Complex Kit, which contains four acne-fighting essentials in one kit.
Enzyme Peels:This 30 minute procedure is ideal if you have acne scars and/or uneven skin tone. A gel is applied to the skin for 30 minutes, and when it’s peeled off it removes dead skin and scar tissue. Some peels contain vitamin C and alpha hydroxy acids to help increase collagen and elastin production as well. For an at-home option, try Cellex-C Speed Peel Facial Gel or Kinrease Instant Radiance Facial Peel.
Galvanic Facials: Designed for problem skin that has a hard time absorbing products, the Galvanic facial offers deeper penetration of skin care ingredients. A specialized gadget is used to direct a galvanic current toward your face, introducing a water-soluble formula directly into your skin. This is very helpful for skin that’s dry and dehydrated and can’t absorb moisture, or for stubborn acne that resists treatment.
Anti-Aging Facials
Anti-aging facials aren’t only recommended for aging skin, but also for people in their late 20’s to help fight off signs of premature aging before they start. An anti-aging facial will smooth fine lines and wrinkles, boost collagen production and help release toxins. Because people with all different skin types are concerned with the effects of aging, anti-aging facials aren’t one size fits all. Discuss your skin type with a specialist to address other concerns in addition to aging, such as acne during menopause, oily skin, product sensitivity, dehydrated skin or dullness.
Vitamin C, Alpha or Beta-Hydroxy Facial: These ingredients have incredible anti-aging effects to improve skin texture and tighten pores, leaving you with smoother and younger looking skin. Facials derived from fruits and flowers (extracts like rose, lavender or jasmine) can be chosen for their abilities to relax and calm the mind. Some facials are even made from fresh fruit pulp, chosen specifically for your skin type. Those with oily skin can benefit from an orange pulp facial, and banana is good for dry skin. These are also great for people with sensitive skin who react easily to chemically-based formulas. For a dose of vitamin-C in the privacy of your own home, pick up a kit like Murad Vitamin C Infusion Home Facial Kit, which includes everything you need to replenish and brighten your skin. Many at-home products like MD Skin Care Alpha Beta Daily Face Peel contain these ingredients as well.
Bio-lift Facial: Had a particularly stressful week? This facial makes an excellent choice, because it targets dark circles under the eyes. A cleansing massage is used to stretch and pull the skin taut, followed by a “bio-mask” to tone sagging skin. An especially good choice for those over 40.
Collagen Facial: Collagen loss is the major contributing factor to aging skin, and this facial uses creams and serums containing collagen to help reduce the appearance of wrinkles and dark circles. Typically the collagen is applied in the form of a freeze-dry sheet, followed by a paraffin mask to seal in hydration. The collagen facial can also include exfoliation, warm vapor, deep pore cleansing and lymphatic drainage massage. The result is firmer, plumper skin.
Multivitamin Facial: These facials may include vitamin C to brighten and smooth, vitamin E for healing, vitamin A to get rid of wrinkles, and a variety of essential oils. This is a good all-around facial that will deep cleanse and heal aging skin.
Situation-Specific Facials
Aromatherapy Facials: If you’re highly stressed, these facials focus on relaxation rather than deep cleansing. The treatment usually involves a soothing facial massage and mask that contain essential oils specifically chosen to address your particular concern, such as tension, insomnia, depression or stress. This facial helps to eliminate toxins and regenerate cells, leaving you with a relaxed and glowing complexion. If you’re feeling a little under the weather, some can even help clear congestion.
Men: Many spas are starting to offer male-specific facials. In comparison to women’s facials, they’re usually less time-consuming and offer dramatic results, especially because most men don’t use many facial products on a daily basis. These facials also take into account men’s generally oilier skin and larger pores. A sports massage is a popular addition to a regular men’s facial, offering deep-tissue massage to ease muscle aches and strains.
Brides: Because a facial can potentially cause redness and irritation, a bride-to-be shouldn’t schedule a facial too closely to the big day. Many spas offer bridal beauty options, such as a “paraffin facial,” to gently give a radiant glow to the skin. Special rejuvenating creams are applied to the skin, followed by the paraffin mask, which is applied over layers of gauze to seal in the cream and help it absorb into the skin.
Outdoor Workers: People who work outside are particularly prone to environmental damage, and should take advantage of anti-oxidant and pollution-fighting facials. These formulas contain vitamin A, beta-carotene and vitamin E to fight free radicals, remove pollutants, cleanse the skin, and protect from future damage.
Pricier Options
Luxury Facial: This is an ideal gift for birthdays, Christmas or Mother’s Day and for good reason. Lasting longer than the traditional facial, it can incorporate a neck or back massage, hot stones, special products and more than one specialist. While it can be costly, a yearly luxury facial refreshes and rejuvenates both your body and mind.
Oxygen Facial: Often considered a celebrity treatment, the oxygen facial is used by celebrities to smooth imperfections before appearing on high-definition television. The technique uses a machine to deliver blasts of high-pressure oxygen to the skin that contain vitamin-rich serums. The result is said to be immediate hydration, though many are skeptical. Dr. Christopher B. Zachary, UC Irvine dermatology chairman, told the New York Times, “The concept that high-pressure oxygen would do anything to help the skin is such nonsense as to be laughable.” While there’s a noticeable plumping of the skin, Dr. Zachary explains that this is actually mild inflammation due to icy cold oxygen being blasted onto the skin. Despite skepticism, over 20,000 oxygen facials were performed in the U.S. in 2006, and supporters believe that the oxygen creates a bubble on the skin that helps force nutrients into the skin, creating a smoother, dewier surface that lasts for several days following treatment. Anthony McMahon, chief executive of Intraceuticals, the Australian company that produces the oxygen compressor and treatment products, also told the New York Times, “We haven’t run any medical-style clinical trials, because we are not making any biological claims. The instant results speak for themselves.”
Whatever option you choose, don’t think of a facial as a waste of money or an extravagant extra. Treat your skin right, and you will be rewarded with smoother, healthier skin in the years to come.