Let’s talk facials
We all have a daily skincare routine and realize the importance of keeping our faces clean and well hydrated. On one end, we have unlimited access to skincare products and valuable information to help us maintain youthful-looking skin. However, for many of us, a visit to our favorite aesthetician is a ritual we value highly especially as we age. Facials performed by an expert make a huge difference in how the skin feels and looks afterward. Not only do we enjoy being pampered for an hour or more, but we notice skin radiates with smoothness and hydration.
Let me be frank, I advocate skincare trends such as Botox, fillers, thread injections, and creams. I admit that I’ve tried Botox and fillers and love the results. And I am currently contemplating thread injections once I reach 50. I also invest in high-quality face and skincare products, all of which help me maintain a healthy and clear skin. But until I researched the benefits of a facial treatment, I didn’t know that a facial has health benefits!
What is a professional Facial
For years I’ve been curious about how a facial is done and wondered if the aesthetician truly knows what she’s doing. For one, I only trust going to renowned spas because the last thing I want is to expose my skin to irritants. God knows we’ve all heard about horrifying facial experiences so there’s no sense in going anywhere else for a facial. Thus, to make sure I’m getting a professional facial, Klara shared the steps of a professional facial treatment:
Facial consultation
This is the time when professional aestheticians introduce facial treatment services and expertise to a client. During the consulting session, the client describes her skin issues to determine if facial services can help address certain concerns. To help pin down the best facial treatment, an expert aesthetician inquires about health issues, age and lifestyle habits.
Facial skin assessment
A professional aesthetician works on examining client’s skin and face. For example, Klara conducts analysis under a mirror to assess her client’s skin, looks for open wounds, active acne, any skin injuries or conditions. Based on her observation, she decides if a facial service is safe, and recommends the best facial treatment that will work. Also, a professional aesthetician gives the client a chance to decide if she wants to proceed with a facial service.
Facial treatment options
After the consultation and assessment, the expert aesthetician and client decided on the best facial treatment option. As you know, aestheticians usually have a range of the latest facial treatment options based on the client’s skin condition, age, and needs. In my case, I usually keep an open mind and trust the aesthetician’s advice. But mind you, I pick my aesthetician very carefully (Klara in my case) since she already knows my skin challenges and age (wink).
Skin cleaning
The first step of a facial treatment is cleansing the skin. It is important to clear the skin from impurities, oils, and makeup, and prepare it for the best facial treatment. Once the skin is clear, the aesthetician applies cleansing cream, gel or lotion into the face, neck and décolleté. Then, the cleansing product is removed with a wet facial sponge or cloth and lastly pat the skin dry.
Exfoliating
Exfoliation helps remove dead skin cells that prevent the skin from absorbing the nutrients in masks and creams. This is my favorite part of the facial treatment. A good aesthetician will apply an exfoliating product that suits skin condition.
Extraction
Contrary to exfoliating, extractions are my least favourite in facial treatment! This step can be uncomfortable as the professional aesthetician squeezes out blackheads or Millia to clean the skin.
Mask
The type of mask your aesthetician applies during a facial treatment will depend on your skin type. If you have oily skin, like me, she may choose a clay-based mask to draw off the excessive sebum. If your skin is dehydrated, she’ll choose one that replenishes moisture.
Facial massage
After extractions, and applying other healing serums an expert aesthetician finishes off with a face massage. A facial massage improves circulation and brings oxygen to the surface of our skin. Plus, it gives a nice healthy glow, and it’s so relaxing.
So what are the health benefits of facials?
Now that you know the steps for a professional facial treatment, let me share with you the amazing health benefits. As you know, skin after 40 goes through a new phase due to hormonal changes. Your skin may break out, dry up or experience irritations and sensitivity. Needless to say, we start losing collagen which paves the way for our worst nightmare: wrinkles and sagging skin! All of these are reasons to consider investing in professional facials more than ever. Let’s face it, as modern women, we value the importance of healthy skin. We know a healthy skin impacts our professional and social image. And we clearly know in order to achieve this, we must invest in the right products and treatments. Without further ado, here are the benefits of facials for aging skin:
Prevent skin aging
I placed this benefit as the number one because I know this is every woman’s obsession after 40. We dwell on it! You’re probably staring at your face in the mirror and in photos searching for signs none of us want to “face”.
All kidding aside, at this stage of life, skin becomes more prone to oxidative damage which leads to inflammation and looking older. Meanwhile, our bodies produce less collagen, in turn, making wrinkles and fine lines more visible. And let’s not ignore photo-damage that resulted from sun-worshipping habits in our teens and twenties.
But, we can combat these skin-damaging factors with facial treatments that use lotions and products with anti-aging properties including antioxidants and cell regulators. Other popular facial techniques include laser resurfacing, micro-needling and Red LED light treatments show positive effects against the skin aging process.
Firm and lift skin
Saggy skin is worse than wrinkles and is caused by lower collagen production. We all know as we age, collagen production slows down and skin loses elasticity and firmness.
However, many professional facial treatments include lotions, masks, and peels with antioxidant ingredients that help boost collagen production.
Vitamin A infused creams, lotions or ointments can stimulate the production of collagen and elastic fibres. I’ve been hesitant about trying Vitamin A infused facials because my skin suffers psoriasis. Two weeks ago, I took the risk of trying Vitamin A facial with Klara and it surprisingly felt great. I didn’t suffer any irritations or sensitivity and my skin felt smooth, firm and radiant.
Brighten the eyes
There’s no shortage of quotes, songs and poetry lines about beautiful bright eyes. Therefore, we pay extra attention to our eyes after 40 and facials are a good and affordable alternative to surgical procedures. Professional aestheticians use quality eye creams, which help reduce the anti-aging effect yet won’t irritate the delicate skin around the eyes. I’ve recently tried the 24 Carat Gold Mask on my face and eyes and let me tell you (besides looking like Cleopatra dipped in gold), the skin around the eyes felt smooth, bright and hydrated. Try it sometime, it’s so worth the experience.
Stress relief
The thought of pampering oneself by going for a professional facial is a gratifying feeling. Now imagine the benefit we give our minds and bodies when we go for a facial. In fact, stress can cause acne and common skin disorders like psoriasis and dermatitis. Although these skin problems are also attributed to environmental factors, health habits, and hormones, our mental health takes a toll on physical wellbeing and look.
Ten years ago, the User Science Institute in Japan conducted a study that showed facial massages have significantly reduced anxiety and negative moods. I quote the authors who said, “these results suggested that the facial massage had strong effects on stress alleviation or psychological relaxation”. Therefore, ladies, a facial massage is not just an indulgence but has scientifically-backed benefits (notes to hubbies and partners).
Get the blood moving
When the blood flows through our bodies, it carries oxygen and nutrients which help keep the cells healthy and active. And there are so many ways to increase blood flow like exercising and massage sessions. As you know, part of a facial treatment includes a face massage that is intended to get the blood circulating in the skin and helps us look more vigorous and glowing.
Purify the tissues
Apparently facial massages target the lymphatic drainage system responsible for removing toxins and waste and purifying tissues. These massages help reduce sinus congestion, bronchitis, acne, and eczema. Additionally, facial massages help remove biochemical wastes from body tissues, improve the dynamics of bodily fluid, and help achieve a relaxed state of body-framework.
Hydrate the skin
Women and men with naturally dry skin are more prone to wrinkles and skin aging. However, there are other factors that cause dryness including liquid consumption, weather, harsh soaps, and even clothing! Although I have oily skin, I suffer from psoriasis which causes dry spots on my face and forehead. So even skin conditions like mine cause dryness. Facials like masks, chemical peels and the application of high-quality lotions have proven to improve skin hydration due to higher water content and lower transepidermal water loss.
Summary: Aging is a natural process after 40 which we should embrace and learn to enjoy. But that's not to say we neglect nurturing our body and skin. With the ongoing research and advancement in scientific formulas, we are fortunate to have access to the latest facial treatments to help sustain our skin and dramatically improve appearance. Therefore, take the time to pamper your skin once a month. As well, if you have received a gift card for a facial, don't wait too long to book your appointment. There isn't anything as good as a free treatment.
