Skin Treatments - What do YOU Expect?

What has been your experience with skin treatments or facials?  Good, bad, indifferent?  None?  Do you know what you should expect?  Let me break it down for you.

A facial takes approximately 60 minutes and should consist of the following basic steps:

• Cleansing
• Skin Analysis
• Exfoliation
• Extractions (if necessary)
• Massage
• Mask
• Moisturer and SPF

Here is a breakdown of how I do my facials.  I feel relaxation and great skin care are not mutually exclusive.

I start with a gentle precleansing using an oil based cleanser to break down oils and makeup on your skin so they are easily removed. This is followed by a second cleanse with a cleanser geared for your skin type, removed with a warm steamed towel. 

Cleansing is followed by exfoliation.  There are 2 types of exfoliation:

• Physical
• Chemical

Physical uses beads in a scrub form to gently but effectively scrub dead skin cells from the surface of the skin. 
Chemical uses enzymes or acids to chemically breakdown the top layer of skin, resulting in smoother, fresher surface skin. 
Enzymes are the gentlest form of chemical exfoliation, and good for even senstitive skin. 
Exfoliations are normally completed under steam. This helps open the pores to prep the skin for extractions of any blackheads. 

Skin analysis and extractions follow exfoliation.  Extractions can be done with fingers or an extraction tool.  You need to let your esthetician know if you feel discomfort during extractions.  We should be firm, but gentle, and never force anything.  If you are uncomfortable, you may request this step be skipped.

A soothing facial massage follows extractions, to gently help any serums applied penetrate and promote relaxation. 

A mask will be applied based on your skin's needs.  While the mask is on, you will receive a shoulder, hand and arm massage, further promoting the relaxation phase of your treatment.  The mask will be gently removed with warm steamed towels.  The proper serums, eye creams, moisturizers and SPF will then be applied specific to your skin's needs to finish up this wonderful treatment. 

A facial should never be uncomfortable, and I don't believe in leaving clients alone in a treatment room with products on the skin.  You should feel pampered and relaxed when your treatment is complete.