Are you ready for a little pampering? Getting a facial can be a great way to relax and restore the glow to your skin. Here’s five ways to make the experience even better:
- Give yourself permission to leave the outside world OUTSIDE. Clearing your mind and entering the spa ready to focus on yourself will enhance the experience while it’s happening and it’ll make the results even more fabulous. Multiple scientific studies have shown the mind-body connection and you can make the most of it to help you look and feel better if you leave the world outside the door.
- Roughly five days before your appointment begin avoiding products with Retin-A and Glycolics. These products can make your skin more sensitive.
- Strive for the best version of yourself. Even the best facial cannot make you look like someone you just saw on a magazine, nor should you want that. You are amazing and need to appreciate that to the fullest. Let the facial enhance the incredible face you already have rather than having a negative attitude that could potentially blind you to the great results you do receive.
- Communicate fully with the esthetician. If something feels uncomfortable or you have concerns, address them. A good spa will want to hear what you have to say so that they can be accommodate you.
- Keep your schedule as open as possible on the day of the facial. You’ll want to arrive early, so that you’re not running in rushed at the last minute. You’ll also want to avoid having to rush right out afterward. And while your skin should be looking great, sometimes people have reactions or sensitivity afterwards so you don’t want to schedule any major events…just in case.
Never had a facial before? Well, here’s what you can expect:
Registration
Typically, upon arriving at your appointment, you will be given intake forms to fill out. The forms will usually ask for a bit of medical history that is pertinent to the procedure, so be honest and thorough.
Consultation
Once you’ve filled out the intake forms, the esthetician should conduct a thorough consultation, spending time reviewing the forms with you, asking more in-depth questions, and getting an understanding of your skin care goals, as well as what you expect to gain from the treatment. This is the time to share any concerns you may have about your skin, and tell the esthetician what you’re hoping to accomplish.
Skin Analysis
Before beginning any treatment, a professional esthetician will analyze your skin, in order to understand how to best proceed.
Cleansing
As a general rule, it is best to wear a shirt that freely exposes your face and neck, in order to give the esthetician access to these areas. If possible, it is best to wear little or no makeup to your facial appointment.
Exfoliation
At this point, your esthetician will choose an exfoliation cream, mask, or peel to use, depending on what she has determined is best suited for your skin care needs. Some products may need to remain on your face for several minutes in order to deliver results, while others may require manual stimulation.
Extraction
Now that pores are open, the esthetician will remove blackheads and other pore-clogging elements. Using a magnifying glass to ensure nothing is overlooked, she may use a stainless steel instrument to gently extract blackheads, or simply wrap her fingers in cotton to extract blackheads while protecting your skin.
Massage
Once extractions have been removed, your esthetician will massage your face.
Mask
Now that the cleansing, exfoliation, and extraction processes are complete, a final mask will be applied to your face.
Hand and Arm Massage
While your mask is working on your face, your esthetician may massage your hands and arms, giving you a chance to relax and enjoy the final stages of your facial.
Sunscreen, Sunscreen, Sunscreen!
While each step of the facial may vary slightly depending on your esthetician’s practices, she should never deviate from this final important step — applying sunscreen to your freshly cleansed face before sending you out the door.
