The Right Facial Skin Care for you

Finding the right facial for your skin type is a constant battle, and you’ll only know this if you’ve been burdened with problem skin. There are tons of facial salons today that it’s difficult to decide which one will suit you best. Here are some guidelines that will help you choose the right place, the right people, and the right facials for you:

Skin Analysis. Your dermatologist or, in some cases, a “facial therapist”, will examine your skin under a lit magnifying glass to diagnose any existing skin problems like acne, clogged pores, discoloration, broken capillaries, fine lines, and so on. Only then will she know the treatment suitable for your skin type.

Cleansing and Massage. After securing your hair away from your face, all traces of dirt, oil and makeup will be u removed with a hypo-allergenic soap or cleanser. Then she will use a light scrub to exfoliate the top layer of dead skin cells no matter what skin type you are. Massage stimulates the circulation and brings oxygen to the skin cells and gives you that glow after a facial. It also releases tension and relaxes the facial muscles.

Steaming. Steamers delivers a fine, soothing mist that softens the skin to make it easier for extractions. It also stimulates the circulation and activates sweat glands, which brings waste, dirt and oil to the surface. Too much exposure to steam can cause broken capillaries, so try to limit it to about 5-8 minutes.

Extractions. A clogged pore is filled with hardened oil (sebum), wax, and cholesterol, which turn into a black mass when the sebum oxidizes through contact with the air. When your pores are filled with sebum, they stretch and appear larger and more noticeable. If they remain clogged for a very long time, they can stretch permanently. When they are cleaned, pores recoil and appear smaller. Don’t pick or extract blackheads or whiteheads yourself unless you want to risk ruining your skin. If you do a bad job, you can spread the contents deep into the oil gland and surrounding tissue and cause an infection. After the extraction, the area is then treated with an antiseptic product to keep it free from bacteria. Tea tree with hazel are popular natural antiseptics.

Lasers. High-frequency laser wands are used to soothe, teat, and heal your skin after the agonizing pain of extractions. They bring oxygen to the face and promote faster healing of the skin. The Advanced Lasertone is a safe, painless, and non-invasive procedure that delays ageing signs such as wrinkles and fine lines. With the aid of a gentle laser light, it naturally stimulates the production of collagen, which makes the skin supple and younger-looking. It’s a great treatment by itself or followed by a facial.

Masks and Moisturizers. After the extraction and lasers, a therapist will then slather on a mask, depending on your skin type. Whether your skin is dry, normal, combination, or oily, there’s a specific mask and moisturizer for each skin type. After peeling or washing off the mask, the final step is the application of a soothing moisturizer, where your face will again be gently massaged.

Tips and Tricks when getting a facial:

1. Don’t forget that your skin doesn’t stop at your jaw. When you have time, apply facial masks, sun blocks, and moisturizers to your neck and decollete as well.
2. Use products that are known. Don’t experiment if no one has even heard of it.
3. As much as possible, ask for a dermatologist to do the pricking / extractions.

A facial massage should be a relaxing and pampering treatment; if you have experienced otherwise, always let the dermatologist or facial therapist know.