Getting a Facial: Everything You Need to Know and More

What is a facial? A facial rejuvenates your skin and makes it glow. A basic facial also helps to cleanse your pores and exfoliate dead skin cells. Additionally, some treat common skin problems with a custom mask. The techniques used in a facial treatment boosts blood flow to your skin. Not to mention, it brings healthy nutrients to your skin cells. Facials are relaxing and therapeutic. Each facial starts with a consultation that helps the beautician to decide the right products for your skin type.

The Basic Steps of a Facial Treatment

Getting a facial can make you feel like a million bucks. Not just because it is relaxing and good for you, either. Here are the basic steps used in just about any facial treatment.

Cleanse

First, the beautician will remove any traces of makeup. Then, once your skin is devoid of makeup, she will massage a cleansing lotion on your skin. Finally, using facial sponges, she will remove the cleanser.

Consultation

The beautician will cover your eyes with moist pads. Then, with a lighted magnifying glass she will examine your skin. Ocasionally, she might pinch your skin to test its elasticity and thickness. She may ask about your skincare regimen and your skin concerns.

Exfoliation

The skin care professional will use an exfoliating cream, gel or mask according to your skin type. Enzyme peels are left on your face to dissolve the plugs that produce blackheads. Some products need manual or mechanical stimulation.

Steam

After the steaming and exfoliating process gets over your skin feels supple and fresh. The moist heat loosens the plugs. It encourages your skin to spit out any impurities that may be caught up in the pores.

Extraction

The aesthetician will pull out whiteheads and blackheads during extraction. Using a lighted magnifying glass and a blackhead extractor she will gently express the blackheads out of your skin.

Massage

The skin care professional does a gentle massage to your face with specific strokes using a massaging oil. Depending on the treatment she may massage your shoulders, scalp, and neck.

Mask

Facial masks improve your particular skin type or condition. If your skin is dry or dehydrated, it helps to hydrate your skin. It calms and soothes your red, inflamed skin. If your skin is oily and congested the facial mask helps to draw out impurities from your skin. Facial masks can be grouped as follows:

Setting masks

Clay masks, fruit masks, thermal masks, and peel-off masks.

Non-setting masks

Warm oil masks and masks made out of paraffin wax.

Custom facial masks must sit on your skin for ten-fifteen minutes. Blackmoor mud, clay, aloe vera, seaweed, algae, massage oils, essential oils, herbs, and vitamins are some of the ingredients used in these masks.

More massage

While you are wearing the mask, your beautician may perform a massage on your hands, feet, calves or your scalp.

Serum

After your mask is removed, the beautician will apply a specialty serum to your skin. Serums include those for aging skin, sensitive skin or blemished skin.

Final touches

Finally, the aesthetician will massage your face with a cream suitable for your skin type. She may apply an eye gel or lip treatment cream.

What are Custom Facials?

Custom facials address a variety of your skin needs ranging from dull and patchy complexion, acne flare-ups to premature aging. The products and techniques that are used in custom facials perfectly fit your skin care needs.

The tailored treatments cater to all skin types and may include deep cleansing, extraction, and exfoliation. Microdermabrasion is used to treat dull and leathery skin. Peels reduce age spots, wrinkles and fight certain types of acne. As an added treat, some beauty salons perform a quick head, neck and shoulder massage to complement the facial.

Your beautician will consult you about your skin concerns. If you’re not aware of your skin type, the professional aesthetician will help you to recognize your skin type. She will create a skincare treatment and routine specially tailored for you.

Never be afraid to speak about your skin concerns to your beautician. The more details you give, the more perfect your custom facial would be.  Tell your skin care specialist about any allergies, you have. The ingredients in some products may cause allergic reactions. The beautician will suggest an at-home customized skin care regimen along with useful tips for your skin type. She will prescribe the right beauty product for your skin type.

Custom Facial Massage Techniques

Shiatsu means “finger pressure” in Japanese. The practitioners believe that Shiastu combats stress, muscle pain, anxiety, nausea, and even depression. It is not limited to your face alone but can also treat your whole body.

Repetitive movements

These are done with knuckles or fingertips to relieve facial tension. These movements lift facial muscles and help remove metabolic waste.

Acupressure movements

They increase metabolic activity and reduce puffiness under your eyes. They stimulate nerve endings and boost blood circulation.

Circular movements

This massage technique is done using the middle three fingers. They soften lines, relieve tension, and move out toxins.

Effleurage movements

This technique relieves trapped fluid and toxins. It promotes stress relief and relaxation. The slow light pressure strokes aid in the flow of the lymphatic fluid.

Repetitive ironing movements

They work to erase wrinkles and tighten sagging skin. Isolated lifting techniques aid in muscle rejuvenation, release facial tension and sinus pressure.

Upward movements

They work on opposite sides of gravity. The upward movements stimulate your muscles and nerve endings and help to erase fine lines and wrinkles.

How to Do a Facial Treatment at Home?

Having a facial at a spa is lovely, but you can get the same results in the comfort of your home, free of charge. Listed below are the details for a perfect home facial.

Pull your hair back from your face. Start by cleansing your face. Wash your face with a gentle cleanser. Use warm water and remove all traces of makeup. Another excellent way to remove makeup is to massage olive oil or jojoba oil and wipe it away with warm water.

Exfoliate

Exfoliating your face clears away the buildup of dead skin cells. You can make a homemade scrub with these simple combinations :

• One teaspoon each of ground almonds, honey, and water
• One teaspoon each of  sugar, honey, and milk
• A teaspoon each of honey, ground oatmeal, and olive oil

After you apply the scrub, rinse your face and pat it dry. Using your forefinger and middle finger, massage your face in a gentle circular motion. You may use olive oil or coconut oil to nourish your face. Start from the middle of your forehead and move towards the sides to the temples. Massage your nose and cheeks. Gently massage your lips, chin, and jaw.

Mask

After you’ve done the massaging, try a steam treatment. Add some essential oils to make it a more luxurious experience. The next step is to apply a facial mask.

• Use one teaspoon cosmetic clay and one teaspoon honey if you have oily skin
• Apply one tablespoon aloe and one tablespoon honey for medium skin
• For dry skin blend one mashed banana and one tablespoon honey
• Use plain honey for any skin type.

Apply the mask for fifteen minutes. Rinse your face and pat dry. Apply some diluted rosewater as a toner and finish the facial with a moisturizer.

What are the Benefits of Facial Treatments?

Facial treatments offer many benefits to your skin. Here are a few of the top benefits of having a facial.

Makes skin healthy

When you pamper your skin with regular facials, it stays bright and radiant. If you have dry skin, the steaming and facial massage will plump up your dry skin and makes it look hydrated. Combination skin shows significant improvements from regular facial treatment as well. The products used to treat acne improve the condition over time.

Improves blood circulation

A good massage stimulates the blood vessels and brings in more circulation. That is because your face gets nourished with more nutrients and oxygen. This action imparts a healthy glow to your face. Regular facials increase your skin’s absorption capacity by making it soft and smooth.

Skin correction

Facials also tone your sagging skin and encourage the production of natural oils. The masks applied for skin correction help to soften lines, reduce wrinkles and promote a youthful appearance.

Treat eye areas

The expert hands of your skin care professional will treat the dark circles, puffiness and sagging skin under your eyes. Additionally, aestheticians will use eye creams that would give you an antiaging effect. Moreover, the creams will not irritate the delicate skin around your eyes.

Relaxation

Facials also relax your senses. Not to mention your skin, body, and soul feel de-stressed and rejuvenated. Facials remove the biochemical wastes from your facial tissues and enhance lymph circulation.

Conclusion

As a matter of fact, f you’re a mom, working woman or a student you may lack the much needed “ME” time. Also, you may be up on your toes juggling work responsibilities and household chores. When you treat yourself to a facial, you choose to have some time for yourself. This action will significantly boost your happiness quotient.

Feature Image: CC by 0, by Kerdkanno, via Pixabay