We all know the cardinal rules of healthy skin: moisturize always, cleanse daily, and never forget to douse yourself with SPF. But, regardless of how dedicated we are, the perfect combination of stress, sweat, pollution and makeup can leave our faces looking dull.
This is where a facial comes in.
Facials are like the golden ticket of the skin care world. The right facial not only cleanses your face, but it also clears up skin problems and helps you moisturize into a healthy glow. Facials are great for torching wrinkles and the experience itself can provide you a whole new level of relaxation.
Sure, facials rock, but let’s be real – going in to actually have one for the first time can be intimidating. Ease your mind and get ready for healthy skin, here are a few suggestions to help you combat your first facial your first facial.
Plan it Out: Scheduling your first facial is a little scary (which kind do I get?). Call ahead and talk to your salon’s specialist to figure out which kind works best for your skin. If you’re totally unsure, we recommend just sticking to one that is basic.
Prepare: Try to avoid any do-it yourself facial treatments during the week before your appointment. It’s also a good idea to jot down some notes on your skin issues, so you can thoroughly discuss everything with the esthetician.
The Process: A standard facial consists of four steps: cleanse, exfoliate, massage and mask. The cleansing stage simply removes all dirt and makeup from your face, essentially turning it into a blank canvas. The exfoliation process removes any of your dead skin cells, and then prepares the skin for extractions. The massage stage varies, but think of it as an exercise for your skin — it can either be calm, or can be used to help with lymphatic drainage, lifting or pressure points. The mask portion simply helps to bring more nutrients into the skin, this is what tends to give you the nice glow at the end.
Other Things to Consider: Some estheticians use steam, or more rigorous forms of extractions. Make sure to always communicate with your esthetician to ensure that you’re having the best experience possible.
Photo courtesy of Zenspa1 – via Flickr
