At their best, facials provide smooth, soft skin with a healthy glow. At their worst, facials can cause blotches, redness, irritation and breakouts.
Not all types of facials are optimal for all clients. For instance, a number of people have allergies to lavender, which is sometimes used in hot stone facials or in moisturizers. Some clients also react to various abrasive exfoliants. Clients on certain medications can also show unusual sensitivities and clients who even have mild sun exposure can have exaggerated reactions to cosmetic ingredients.
With these ten tips, spa guests can determine what they need to avoid ahead of time and what to ask for at their apointment.
- Arrive for your spa visit with a clean face devoid of any makeup or moisturizer. Allow the esthetician to examine your skin and question you about diet, exercise, and anything else that may affect the health of your skin.
- Avoid facials if you have sunburn or windburn. While your skin can use the pampering, ingredients in facials can penetrate burnt skin deeply adding to irritation.
- Let the esthetician know of any allergies you have, even seasonal allergies, and describe any reactions you’ve had to cosmetics. Also, inform your esthetician about any medications you’re on including topical preparations such as retinoids or alpha and beta hydroxy acids or skin preparations you've had reactions to in the past.
- Facials are the height of luxury. Allow yourself to be pampered and enjoy the experience. Relax and breathe easily. Listen to the mellow music and breathe in the fragrances.
- Avoid facials on your big day. Unless you regularly have a custom facial and know what to expect, it’s best to avoid facials on the night of your hot date or big event. Facials can occasionally cause a temporary redness or irritation.
- If you routinely have facials and you need expected results, go with a therapy that’s tried and true. Your wedding day isn’t the time to experiment with the latest signature procedure. Choose a facial that’s worked well for you in the past if it's a big day. Otherwise, signature facials are a great way to try something new.
- Drink plenty of water before and after your facial for optimal hydration. Dehydration can strip your skin’s glow and add years to your complexion. For best results, avoid alcohol for at least 24 hours before and several hours after your facial.
- Regular attention to your skin using a gentle cleanser morning and night, a weekly exfoliation, and a noncomedogenic moisturizer morning and night prepares your skin to reap the benefits of facial therapies. Using moisturizers with ingredients such as caffeine and resveratrol, which help repair UV damage is another plus. According to skin guru, Amy Wechsler, MD, ingredients such as vitamin C and CoQ10 can add to the cost of moisturizers but aren’t absorbed well enough to be effective.
- A facial can bring out the best in your skin. Combined with an anti-inflammatory diet, rich in omega-3 oils such as the Zone Diet or a Mediterranean type-eating plan, your skin can dazzle.
- Pampering has a psychological effect. Research your spa options and choose a spa known for its top skin care. Spas offering European skincare therapies, especially spas that employ Hungarian estheticians and use Hungarian therapies, are expert when it comes to facial care. Consult with an esthetician when booking your appointment to make sure you're scheduled for the best esthetician for your needs and to ensure that you've selected the optimal type of facial for you.
Resource:
- Amy Wechsler, The Mind-Beauty Connection, 9 Days to Reverse Stress Aging and Reveal More Youthful, Beautiful Skin, New York: Simon & Schuster, 2008.
The copyright of the article Ten Tips for A Fantastic Facial in Facials is owned by Elaine Moore. Permission to republish Ten Tips for A Fantastic Facial in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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