How Facials Are Ever-Evolving
Facials have been around for years – decades even, if not centuries. If you go to a spa, you see them listed as an option where a professional facialist performs the procedure. There are facials for just about every type of skin available, whether your concerns include acne, aging, dryness, or discoloration.
But what’s notable about facials is that they’ve changed quite a bit over the years. While some still use potent ingredients that must be applied by a professional in a spa or dermatologist clinic, others are completely “chemical-free,” and still others are meant for at-home use. Yes, you read that right. Like everything else, facials have evolved over time.
Now, you can pamper your face right in the comfort of your own bathroom-turned-luxury spa. How, you ask? Let’s explore your options!
What is a Facial?
Before you can understand just how much facials have evolved over the years, you first need to have a grasp on exactly what they are. To put it simply, a facial is a skin care treatment that involves placing various creams and ointments on the skin. The exact regimen can vary, based on your skin type and the issues that you want to treat.
Depending on the type of facial the esthetician or facialist decides that you need, you may end up having to sit with the treatment on your skin for a period of time, or other measures might be involved, such as lasers, which smooth the skin after the creams and ointments are removed or have been absorbed into the surface layer.
Facials can be done either in a salon, spa, or dermatology office, where they are conducted by an expert in the art of skin care. However, thanks to modern technology and the evolution of these treatments, now, you can also do them at home. In fact, some “facials” despite the name, even focus on other body parts.
For example, you can get a “facial” on the skin of your butt (i.e., a butt mask), simply by choosing a product designed for that area. Obviously, this part of your skin can handle some stronger ingredients than your face, so you’ll need to use a specialized product.
Going beyond that, people are doing at-home “facials” on all of their problematic areas, helping them to truly love the skin they’re in!
With that said, facials have become a universal treatment designed to help you get the skin that you’ve always wanted. Whether you perform one at home or have a specialist take care of your so-called problem areas, a facial serves an especially important purpose and needs to be a part of your regular skin-care regimen.
It’s best to consider adding a facial to your schedule once a week or more frequently, based on your skin type.
Why Get a Facial?
Now that you understand a bit more about facials in general, it’s time to answer a crucial question – why should you get a facial? If you look in the mirror and want a good, fast solution to your skin concerns, then a facial is your best bet.
A good facial can clear up your skin, make it smooth and soft, and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Even facials that you perform at home can have some solid and noticeable effects, as long as they’re done right.
Basically, if you want the skin that you’ve always dreamed of or the type that you see on models, stars, and even Instagram celebs (even though they might be slightly photoshopped), then you need to jump on the bandwagon and get a facial or two. The best facials can even prevent early signs of aging!
It all comes down to what you want your facial to accomplish. Brighter skin? Check. Younger-looking skin? Check. Faded discolorations and scars, like those from acne? Check. Add moisture to overly dry skin or take some of the shine away from oily skin? Check. It’s your lucky day because a facial can do all of these things!
How Facials Used To Be
In the past, facials used to be performed solely by experts. You had to go to a salon, spa, or a dermatologist’s office to get one. The ingredients in the lotions and treatments that they used were strong and only sold to licensed experts. In the hands of an inexperienced person, those creams could cause quite a bit of damage to the face, so they weren’t available to the public.
On top of this, facialists – good facialists, we might add – became celebrities in their own rights. Some had clients flying in to see them from all over the world, simply because they could work magic on your skin. They had their own “cult” of followers and could pick and choose their clients. People would pay a small fortune to have their skin improved and perfected by these experts.
Thankfully, things have changed. Now facials can be done almost anywhere, including at home. Yes, you can do your own facial in the comfort of your own bathroom using products that you purchased on the internet.
Clearly, facials have evolved. And even though going to a professional is still a valid option, who wouldn’t prefer to save a little money and perfect your skin in the comfort of your own robe or PJs?
Updated Treatments
It’s no secret that modern technology has made some major changes to skin care. Companies employ chemists to come up with facial options that can be done at home, often using ingredients that used to be designated for professional use only.
As a result, you have your choice when it comes to getting (or conducting) a facial. With options falling into three different categories, you can choose the ones that you think will work best for your skin.
(Note: People with very problematic skin, like cystic acne or deep wrinkles, are still better off seeing a professional facialist, as they have more options available to them that can truly help you improve your skin at a deeper level.)
So, what options are at your fingertips?
Lasers
Most of the time, lasers are done as a separate treatment, such as laser skin resurfacing. However, there are light-based treatments that use a very gentle laser as a part of a facial. These instruments are designed to send waves of light into the skin in order to correct issues such as clogged pores and a lack of collagen.
Creams
Creams are the most common type of facial treatment. They can exfoliate the skin, add moisture, and clear up acne.
With so many different types available, it’s important to research your ingredients, so you can choose the best creams and lotions for your needs. You must understand your skin before you begin your at-home facial.
Gels
Gels are patient and tend to take their time sinking into the skin. They linger on the surface longer, especially if you have oily or acne-prone skin, making them a bit trickier to use. Plus, some people just don’t love the feel of having a gel on their skin for a long period of time.
With that said, this skin care treatment, which is applied topically, certainly has its place in a facial. It can deliver ingredients that a simple cream cannot, so never underestimate the power of gel!
Finding a Good Facialist
If you do choose to use a professional facialist and take advantage of the options that you can’t purchase on your own, then you need to find a good one.
Start by asking around. You more than likely know someone who goes to a reputable spa that employs a facialist who can work amazing skin magic.
Other options include checking online reviews, and even going to the spa and asking numerous questions about their facialists’ credentials.
You may have to go to several different facialists in order to find one that you think does the best job on your skin. Just make sure to space out your visits, lest you end up overdoing it and damaging your skin.
Doing a Facial at Home
With that said, indulging in an at-home facial is still a great option. Many of the creams and lotions that were used in the past have been updated and reformulated to be safe for at-home use.
This means that you can set aside some time to pamper yourself and work on improving your skin while still lounging in your sweatpants or robe. Staying home and making yourself look and feel your best—it doesn’t get much better than that, does it?
In Conclusion – Facials Give Your Skin the TLC It Needs
Over the past few decades, facials have evolved from an expensive treatment option that absolutely had to be performed in a professional setting to an affordable one that people could do in the comfort of their own home.
The ingredients are slightly different, as the ones designated for “at-home” use have a little less potency, and thus have less of a chance of damaging your skin when left on for too long or used incorrectly. Either way, at-home facials can still improve your skin concerns.
Of course, going to a spa or salon is still a great option, thanks to the many professional-only treatments available. But it all comes down to what you prefer to do.
In the end, clear, silky, smooth skin is right at your fingertips… and you don’t even have to leave the house!
Sources:
https://www.self.com/story/what-to-do-after-a-facial
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/12/magazine/the-ever-changing-business-of-anti-aging.html