Is there any better feeling than being nestled in a cocoon of warmth while your skin is renewed and nourished? Expert Skin Wellness therapies, or facials, are an integral part of your skin care routine. Read it again, expert skin wellness therapies are an integral part of your skin care routine, and should be done every 4 to 6 weeks unless otherwise specified by your skin expert!
Whether you are a novice to the world of wellness, or an experienced spa enthusiast, we highly recommend that you ensure a facial experience includes a few, if not all, of the following steps.
The Consultation
Upon arrival at your skin expert's studio, spa or clinic, you should be required to complete a skin assessment form. Any form of intake information prior to a wellness experience may seem a little tedious but it can reveal valuable details required to provide you with the best possible treatment outcome.
Providing details such as your age, profession, and basic dietary information can provide the baseline of your general skin health. Your age provides insight as to which decade you find yourself in and what your hormone levels may look like. As we age our hormone levels change which directly influence our skin, after all, it is your largest organ.
Your profession can indicate whether you are working indoors or outdoors. Being exposed to elements of extreme heat and cold can speed up the aging process, or drastically impair the barrier function of your skin. An air conditioned environment has a similar impact and blue light emitted from computer screens, phones and tablets can have serious aging consequences.
Internal factors such as diet will determine whether glycation is taking place; an aging process caused by the excessive consumption of sugar which breaks down collagen in your skin. Do you drink enough water? Again, your skin is an organ but not a vital organ, which means all organs required to maintain life is a hydration priority over your skin.
Stepping into the therapy room, your therapist should discuss the information disclosed during the intake process. Some information may be apparent, but more details may be required as to which home care steps you complete each day; morning and evening. Additional information such as whether you prefer using a cream cleanser versus a gel cleanser for cleansing, or a lotion versus a cream for moisturizing, and why you prefer the select option will be noted.
Once you are comfortably tucked into the therapy bed, your session is ready to start. A facial therapy should always include your décolleté. Your chest and shoulders are just as exposed to the elements and can reveal more information about how you care for your skin and body. Creases between the breasts may indicate that you are a side sleeper, while acne scarring may indicate a past or current flair up.
Cleanse & Skin Analysis
All makeup should be cleansed from the skin, and eye area, to provide a blank canvas that can be assessed. Next, a light should be used to analyze the skin properly. Your therapist will look at your skin texture to determine if there is an excessive buildup of dead skin cells in certain areas, and if there are any deep or superficial lines & wrinkles. Does the skin look sallow, dull, or healthy? Any nodules, papules, millia or comedones?
So many factors are taken into consideration to assess your skin health, and to ensure the proper course of action is taken to provide you with optimal results. Whether you are receiving an express treatment, or a luxurious spa experience, a skin analysis should always be performed. A skin analysis is not a once off assessment, with each follow up visit one should be done as your lifestyle may have changed, as well as environmental factors may have changed. A seasonal change has a huge impact on our skin, and the changes will show even before you notice the official arrival of the season.
Exfoliation
As the facial progresses active or passive exfoliators may be used. Active exfoliators will create various sensations to help increase oxygenation and detoxification. Extractions may be performed after the exfoliation process.
Facial Massage
Depending on the skin care line being used, the next step is generally a massage application followed by treatment masks. During the facial massage the entire face, neck and décolleté should be included. Some facial massages may include the ears and scalp. A facial massage should be no less than 10 minutes. A facial massage gives your facial muscles a gentle workout, helping to release tension and increase circulation.
Stress and tension can hide everywhere in the body, including the tiniest facial muscles. By treating the skin from the décolleté to the crown, your therapist is able to create a 'release cascade' that can have profound results on your facial features and the way you feel overall. Do not underestimate the power of a good facial massage.
Treatment Mask(s)
During the masking portion of the facial your skin expert should be utilizing this time to promote deep relaxation by incorporating e.g. a scalp, or hand massage. This time should be spent on you, and not away from you. Long gone are the days where a skin therapist leaves the treatment room, or sits back while you mask. Each moment of the therapy should be spent on you, the guest. Now more than ever, touch therapy is of utmost importance.
Therapy Conclusion
As your facial experience comes to an end, your skin expert will remove any residual product and apply serums, lotions, creams, SPF and more, to your décolleté, face, eye and lip areas. As you are gently brought back to the therapy room via a grounding process, your therapist will review the treatment outcome. At this time any home care adjustments will be made, rebooking times discussed, and questions that you have will be answered. Utilize this time and take advantage of the wealth of knowledge your skin expert possesses.
There is nothing more rewarding than seeing the immediate, and lasting changes as facial experience can have. As a gentle reminder, keep in mind that your skin may purge after a facial depending on how your skin responds and based on what is happening internally. A few breakouts after a facial is reason for celebration as your skin is performing one of its most basic functions, elimination. It is designed to purge what is not needed, but refrain from performing your own extractions. Rather consult with your skin expert to determine what the best course of action would be to treat breakouts.
If you have not experienced a skin therapy, now is the time. Schedule a visit with a skin expert and experience the amazing benefits a single skin wellness experience has to offer.
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