May 2010 Newsletter Article

Why Do People Get Facials?

“You are never too old to look younger” – that is what the great Mae West, who happened to be a huge fan of facials, once said. But what exactly is a facial, and can it really make you look younger?

Getting a facial is one of the best things you can do for yourself and most certainly for your skin. People are investing a lot in facials these days, as defying Mother Nature is big business:  the skin care industry is projected to grow as much as 40% this year, with over $1.4 billion that was spent last year in skin care products alone. The net result of facials is often softened wrinkles, better skin tone, brighter complexions, fewer break-outs, improved firmness, and above all else – relaxation.

A facial can offer many benefits. The face is always subject to the elements such as the sun, maybe smoke or an improper at home regime. Facials offer you the opportunity to work with a professional skin care specialist who will analyze your skin, help you improve your complexion and show you how to take proper care of your skin.

So how does a facial give you different results than doing something at home? For starters, you need to hold a license in esthetics to purchase and use the majority of products used in a professional facial, so we aren’t talking about products you can just buy over the counter. These products are a lot more potent than something you would buy at the drug store, and the esthetician knows how to balance your skin the proper way to maximize these ingredients to produce the results you are looking for. Therefore a facial can give you a deep cleansing, deeper than the cleansing you will get at home. It will also give you a deep exfoliation which can help to unclog your pores. Extracting open blackheads (done the proper way) will also help rid the skin of acne. Your skin care specialist will help soften the skin with steam, hot moist towels, and enzymes or other exfoliants. Estheticians choose the ingredients that will help your skin type, and they typically will choose a mask that will either detoxify your skin or hydrate your skin, again depending on your skin type. What is “skin type”? Skin type is determined by pore size, tone, and texture. It is also determined by oil production, called sebum.  By getting a proper analysis you will not only learn your skin type, but an esthetician will be able to create a facial experience that addresses your skin’s needs and produce the results you are looking for.

A facial helps increase circulation and stimulates the skin. It can also help slow down premature aging by custom-targeting your skin care. Facials are a great preventative treatment to help you beat wrinkles before they occur. A facial may help you understand the proper skin care products for your skin. Most people are using the wrong products for their skin type; this causes the skin to become sensitized. A good esthetician will work with you to create a home care regime that will be both easy to use and work with your individual skin type and within your budget.

Most importantly a facial will relax you. A spa offers a serene environment that encourages stress reduction. Facials not only help your skin, but can be soothing. When you are comfortable with your skin, that confidence comes through in a natural glow. As more baby boomers are searching for ways to turn back the clock and encourage their daughters to begin good skin-care early, facials are an affordable way to do something special for yourself. Averaging about $75 for an hour, facials are a lot less expensive than the more serious chemical peels, laser procedures and Botox injections. Results can typically be seen right away, and as with anything, the more consistently you get them, the better your skin will look.