Everything You Should Expect in Facials

Why do you need a facial? 

Facials are skin care treatments that involve several essential steps to cleanse, exfoliate, and nourish the skin on your face. Estheticians or skincare professionals perform them and offer several potential benefits for your skin health and overall well-being. Here are some reasons why people choose to get facials:

• Cleansing: Facials often start with thoroughly cleansing the skin, removing oil, dirt, and other impurities that can clog pores, leading to acne and other skin issues.
• Exfoliation: Many facials include exfoliation, which helps to remove dead skin cells from the surface, which can improve the skin’s texture, make it look brighter, and allow other skincare products to penetrate more effectively.
• Deep Cleansing: A facial can involve steaming, which helps open up pores and facilitate the removal of black and whiteheads; this can lead to clearer and smoother skin.
• Customized Treatments: Different facials are available to address specific skin concerns such as acne, dryness, aging, and sensitivity. Estheticians can tailor the treatment to your skin’s needs.
• Hydration and Nourishment: Facials often involve applying masks, serums, and moisturizers with beneficial ingredients to hydrate and nourish the skin, improving skin elasticity and reducing the appearance of fine lines.
• Stress Relief and Relaxation: Getting a facial can be a relaxing experience. The gentle massage techniques during facials can help relieve tension and promote relaxation.
• Improved Blood Circulation: The manipulation and massage of the skin during a facial can enhance blood circulation, leading to a healthier complexion.
• Professional Expertise: Estheticians are trained to assess your skin’s condition and recommend appropriate treatments and skincare routines. They can provide personalized advice for your skin type and concerns.
• Early Detection of Skin Issues: During a facial, an esthetician may notice potential skin issues, such as early signs of skin cancer or other dermatological conditions. 
• Pampering and Self-Care: For many people, getting a facial is a form of self-care and pampering. It’s an opportunity to take time and indulge in a relaxing and rejuvenating experience.

Pre and post-facial treatment 

Pre and post-facial care is essential to ensure you get the most out of your facial treatment and maintain the benefits afterward. Here are some guidelines for both pre-facial and post-facial care:

Pre-Facial Care:

The pre-facial care involves communicating with your esthetician. Before your facial, communicate any skin concerns, sensitivities, allergies, or specific goals for the treatment; this will help the esthetician tailor the facial to your needs. It also involves avoiding too much sun exposure as sunburned or tanned skin can be more sensitive during the treatment. You must say no to harsh exfoliation. Refrain from using harsh exfoliating products a few days before your facial, preventing over-exfoliation during the treatment.

Of course, loving water is part of the deal. Proper and sufficient hydration is essential for healthy skin. Drink plenty of water in the days leading up to your facial to ensure your skin is well-hydrated. But as much as you want to extremely take care of your skin, skip strong active ingredients. If you use active solid ingredients like retinoids, AHAs, or BHAs, consider discontinuing them a few days before your facial to avoid potential irritation.

Post-Facial Care:

On the other hand, post-facial care involves firstly, following your esthetician’s advice. Your esthetician may provide specific post-facial care instructions based on the treatment you received. Follow their recommendations for the best results. You must also avoid sun exposure and heavy makeup. After a facial, your skin might be more sensitive to the sun. Use broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30 to protect your skin from UV rays. Give your skin time to breathe and recover after a facial. Avoid using heavy makeup immediately after the treatment.

Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! Keep your skin hydrated using a gentle moisturizer suitable for your skin type, which will help maintain the hydration levels achieved during the facial. In connection to this, stay hygienic. Keep your hands clean and avoid touching your face unnecessarily to prevent transferring bacteria or causing irritation. If you are longing for hot, relaxing baths, keep waiting as you are also advised to avoid saunas and steam rooms. Steer clear of extreme heat or steam for the first 24 to 48 hours after your facial, as this can exacerbate any redness or sensitivity.

Eventually, you can gradually reintroduce active ingredients: If you stopped using solid and active ingredients before your facial, reintroduce them progressively into your skincare routine after your skin has had time to recover. And still, maintain a skincare routine. Continue with your regular skincare routine to ensure the lasting benefits of the facial. Remember these three easy steps: daily cleanse, moisturize, and protect your skin with sunscreen. Lastly, it will never hurt a little to practice gentleness. Be gentle with your skin, and avoid over-exfoliating or using abrasive scrubs for a few days.

What can you add to facials? 

Typically, there are two powerful treatments you can add to facials, and these are the following: 

Dermaplaning

Combining dermaplaning with a facial is a popular treatment option that can provide enhanced benefits for your skin. When these two treatments are combined, they work synergistically to provide deep exfoliation, improve skin texture, and promote a healthy, radiant complexion. Dermaplaning is a non-invasive cosmetic procedure that uses a surgical scalpel to gently remove the outermost layer of dead skin cells and fine vellus hair or peach fuzz. Consider temporary redness and sensitivity after the treatment if you want to combine the two. If you are new to both treatments, you should try each separately. 

Microneedling 

On the other hand, combining microneedling with facials is a treatment approach that can offer comprehensive skin rejuvenation by addressing multiple aspects of skin health. Microneedling involves using a device with tiny needles to create controlled micro-injuries in the skin. The mix of the two treatments offers enhanced product penetration, more profound skin renewal, and, most importantly, overall skin radiance. 

Are facials done regularly? 

The frequency of facials can vary based on several factors, including your skin type, concerns, goals, budget, and the recommendations of your esthetician. While there’s no one-size-fits-all answer, here are some general guidelines to consider:

• Skin Concerns: If you have skin concerns such as acne, hyperpigmentation, or aging, you might benefit from more frequent facials initially. In these cases, your esthetician might recommend getting facials every 2 to 3 weeks to address and manage the concerns.
• Seasonal Changes: Some people get facials seasonally to adjust their skincare routine according to changes in weather and environmental conditions.
• Pre-Special Event: If you have a special occasion like a wedding or a significant event, getting a facial a week or two before the event can help your skin look its best.
• Professional Advice: Your esthetician’s recommendations are essential. They can assess your skin’s needs, track progress, and suggest a suitable frequency based on your circumstances.
• At-Home Skincare: Regular at-home skincare routines are just as important as facials. A consistent daily routine can complement the benefits of professional facials and help maintain healthy skin between treatments.
• Sensitive Skin: If you have sensitive skin or conditions that make your skin more reactive, like rosacea, you might need to space out your facials to give your skin more time to recover.
• Listen to Your Skin: How your skin responds after each facial. If your skin feels and looks its best a certain number of weeks after a facial, that might be a suitable interval for you.

Be careful about overdoing facials, as they might overdo you, too. Get the best guidance at Viata Aesthetics and Wellness, and contact them for more facial details!