What are facials?
Facials are cosmetic procedures performed by a clinician or licensed esthetician that help remove impurities and contaminants that lodge in the skin, as well as toning the skin and providing a dose of moisture and nutrients to help skin stay healthy and more vibrant looking.
How do facials work?
Facials rely the use of a variety of products to perform a range of tasks, from deeply cleaning and exfoliating the skin to remove dirt, oil, and debris, as well as dead skin cells, to extracting blackheads and whiteheads and providing moisture and nutrients. Most facials also include massages to increase circulation within the skin and help encourage the development of collagen, helping the skin to appear firmer and more resilient.
What areas of the body do facials treat?
Facials are most often used to treat the face and neck areas; however, similar procedures have been designed to treat other areas, including the hands, back, shoulders, and chest, where skin problems such as acne are most likely to occur.
What are the advantages of facials over other similar treatments?
Facials typically involve no discomfort and can be completed in less than an hour in most cases. They also involve significantly lower costs than other facial treatments. While some home products can help clean and exfoliate skin, as well as introduce moisture and nutrients, professional facials guided by trained estheticians or clinicians can identify products and treatments that are ideally suited to your skin type and the conditions you suffer from. Facials also help prolong the results of other, costlier treatments. For all these reasons, professional facials can be incorporated into the regular skin care routine of almost anyone.
Who is a candidate for facials?
Anyone at nearly any age, from teen to senior, can benefit from facials. Facials products and techniques are designed to address all skin types and tones, as well as multiple skin conditions, making them an ideal complement to any skin care regimen.
How is the procedure performed?
The procedure is performed in a day spa or medical facility by a professional trained in facial techniques and methods. Most facials comprise several steps, including a thorough cleansing, followed by an examination under a magnifying glass to determine the problems and conditions that need to be addressed. Next, exfoliation loosens and removes dead, dried skin cells to reveal smoother, fresher skin beneath. Extraction of blackheads and white heads may also be performed in some patients. A gentle facial massage can help improve skin circulation and aid in removing additional impurities. Masks help replenish skin’s moisture and nutrients, and toners offer a final refinement to skin’s overall texture and appearance. Your clinician will also provide you with tips and strategies for maintaining skin health between facials.
What is the recovery like?
There is no recovery involved in facials, and men and women who undergo the procedure report the facial experience is one of relaxation and rest, leaving them feeling fresh and rejuvenated afterward.
What will the results be like?
You will notice the results of your facial immediately after treatment, as skin looks and feels fresher, clearer, and more resilient. To maintain those results, or to prolong the results of other skin treatments, you will need to repeat the procedure on a regular basis and follow regular skin care routines at home between facials.
How often should facials be performed?
Most men and women undergo facials at least every month to keep skin looking and feeling fresh and healthy. In some cases, you may benefit from more frequent treatments, especially if your skin is overly dry or excessively oily.
Are facials covered by insurance companies?
Facials are a purely cosmetic procedure, and in most cases their costs are not covered by insurance. If your facial is used concomitantly with medical procedures to treat certain conditions, such as acne, partial costs may be covered. Ask your insurer to see if facials are covered in these cases.
Disclaimer: This information is intended only as an introduction to this procedure. This information should not be used to determine whether you will have the procedure performed nor does it guarantee results of your elective surgery. Further details regarding surgical standards and procedures should be discussed with your physician.
By Dermanetwork.org Staff
Updated: February 24, 2010
