Facial treatment
What is a facial treatment?
A facial is a beautifying skin treatment that cleanses pores, exfoliates dead skin cells, hydrates and moisturises the skin, and treats common skin concerns with a custom regime. Facial treatments are one of the most popular treatments for spa-goers. Facials are designed to boost the immediate appearance and overall health and longevity of the skin.
Nearly all facial treatments comprise deep cleansing and exfoliation stages, but the products and tools used depend on the type of facial.
What are the benefits of facial treatments?
The pampering experience of a beautifying facial can provide multiple health and beauty benefits.
A regular facial is ideal for maintaining good skin health and can leave you with a radiant complexion. There are many types of spa facial to choose from. For example, some aid skin elasticity, preventing sagging, wrinkles and other tell-tell ageing signs, while others help to combat dry skin ailments or acne.
Even the lucky few of you with perfect skin will enjoy the indulgent pleasure of a facial, which utilises gentle massage techniques. Facial massages are not only relaxing; they also boost circulation and blood flow, helping the skin on your face to self-heal while re-energising your mind.
What to expect during a facial treatment:
Your therapist will gently massage a cleansing milk (or similar product) into the skin and decolletage. After a few minutes, the cleanser will be removed using warm water and a facial sponge or cotton pad.
Once patted dry, your therapist will cover your eyes and take a closer look at your skin using a lighted magnifying glass. This allows the therapist to determine the condition of your skin, so that your treatment can be adapted to meet your skins requirements.You may be asked questions about your skincare routine or lifestyle at this stage.
A suitable exfoliant will then be applied to the skin. Your therapist will use their hands or an exfoliation brush to help remove any dead skin cells during this stage.
Steam – or a hot towel – may be introduced to the face while the exfoliation cream is still present, or once it has been removed by your therapist using pads/sponges. The addition of heat loosens pores and encourages impurities to be flushed via the sweat ducts.
The spa therapist will then remove any blackheads and whiteheads from your skin using an extraction tool – a steel instrument which allows easy removal of built-up sebum from pores. Your face will be cleansed again once any impurities have been extracted.
Next, your therapist will massage your face (usually applying a refreshing oil beforehand) to encourage blood flow and the self-lubrication of your skin. During this stage, your therapist may also massage the shoulders and scalp.
A clay or cream-based mask chosen to meet the needs of your skin will then be applied to your face. You may receive a further massage at this point to help the mask do its ‘magic’, or you may be left to relax for five minutes. This is a perfect opportunity to clear your mind and enjoy being pampered!
Once the mask has been washed from your skin, a protective, speciality serum (such as one for ageing, or blemish-prone, skin) is usually applied. Some spas may also include eye gel or lip care during this stage of the treatment.
An oxygen facial is usually carried out with a small pen like device called an airbrush. When placed on the face, the airbrush blasts pure oxygen, also known as hyperbaric oxygen, at high pressure into the epidermis. The uppermost layer of the skin. An oxygen facial involves spraying pure oxygen onto the skin
