Getting a routine facial should be part of everyone’s custom skin care management plan, but

determining how often depends on a variety of factors.

You just experienced an hour of pampering bliss. Highlights included the warm steam, the
hydrating masque, and a gentle massage. Now you’re walking out feeling good about having
carved out some time focusing on you, and there is no denying that your face is glowing. You
may be excited to book your next appointment, but you need to time it just right. Unfortunately,
there isn't a perfect cycle that everyone should follow. That’s because the period of time between
facials is determined by skin type, age, your environment, and what you hope to achieve. Here
are a few tips to help you understand how often you should get a facial.

THE GENERAL RECOMMENDATION

Skin care specialists recommend that people have a professional facial about every three to four
weeks. That’s how long it takes your skin to move through the full life cycle of skin cell growth
and exfoliation. A facial helps that process along. The treatment will keep your skin clean, clear,
and toned. Having one every three to four weeks helps you maintain that beautiful glow all month
long.

ACNE PRONE SKIN AND FACIALS

For those who are experiencing frequent breakouts or tend to have oilier skin, having a facial
more often is recommended during acne flares. Come in every two weeks to clear your skin and
bring it to a healthier place. As the skin calms down and the acne goes away, the period of time
between facials can be stretched back out.

INFREQUENT FACIALS
Although you may have the best of intentions to care for your skin according to the recommended
guidelines, sometimes life (and your budget!) gets in the way. If you are unable to come in for a
facial every three to four weeks, aim to come in at least once a season. The humidity and sun in
the warmer months can lead to breakouts or sun damage, and the cold air of the winter months
can dry your skin out. Seeing a skin care specialist at least four times a year will help will
help protect you from seasonal exposure and arm your skin take on the elements.

FREQUENT FACIALS
As beneficial and enjoyable as a facial can be, it is possible for your skin to be negatively affected
by too much of a good thing. Unless you are following guidelines that are in place to treat a
specific issue your skin is experiencing, seeing your esthetician more often than every two to
three weeks can have the opposite effect on your skin.

Creating a healthy skin care routine can be done during your next facial. An esthetician is a
licensed professional with the training and experience to understand the specific needs of your
skin. In order to get the most out of every treatment, discuss with your esthetician an ideal facial
schedule and what beauty regimen to follow at home to maintain your skin in-between
appointments.

By Tiffany Amorosino
 People get facials for different reasons: While some people want to remove those
horrible blackheads, others want some help with an anti-again regimen. And,
then there are the people who just want to relax and be pampered.

These are all fine reasons to get facials. But often the facial itself is a bit
mysterious. What does the steam do? Why do they keep putting creams on and
taking them off? Why get facials regularly?

A facial is essentially a multi-step skin treatment that is one of the best ways to
take care of your skin. A facial cleanses, exfoliates, and nourishes the skin,
promoting a clear, well-hydrated complexion and can help your skin look
younger. You also receive advice on the best way to take care of your skin. A facial
works best when it is part of an on-going program of skin care.

It is best to find an experienced, knowledgeable licensed esthetician who has

special training in skin care and is knowledgeable, fastidious, and passionate
about their work. Legally, a cosmetologist is allowed to give facials, but their
primary training is in hair, so they might not be the best choice. There is also a
trend toward dual-licensed therapists, where the person is licensed to give both
massage and facials. Be on the lookout for this in a resort setting, especially if
you'd rather go to someone who only specializes in facials.

A facial is the second most popular spa treatment after a massage.

The Basic Steps of a Facial

 Consultation
A facial should begin with a consultation. You might fill out a form with questions
about your skin concerns, your diet, how much water you drink, which drugs and
supplements you take, and products you are currently using. Retin-A and other
drugs can affect your skin and what kind of treatments the esthetician
recommends. More commonly, the esthetician will simply ask about your skin
concerns and if you are using Retin-A.

 Preparations
Usually, the esthetician offers a wrap that goes around your body and underneath
your arms, then closes with velcro. She leaves the room so you can put it on in
privacy. Some people remove all their clothes before putting on the wrap, some
leave their pants on, and some even leave their bra on and put the straps
underneath their arms. At some spas, you are invited to take off some or all of
your clothes and get between the sheets. The esthetician will let you know the
protocol where you are.
 Cleansing
Usually, the esthetician starts by wrapping your hair with a towel or headband to
keep products off of it. The first step is thorough cleansing, using cotton pads,
esthetician wipes or sponges. Most professional facials do a double-cleanse.
 Skin analysis and cleansing
Depending on whether you have makeup on, the esthetician might look at your
skin under a bright lamp first, or covers your eyes and looks at your skin through
 a brightly lit magnifying lamp. She is determining your basic skin type (dry, oily,
combination, sensitive or normal) and skin conditions (acne, blackheads,
whiteheads, aging, sun-damage, dehydration, etc.). The esthetician then chooses
the appropriate products and treatments and consults with you about what he or
she sees and recommends.

 Steam
Most facials use a machine that directs a thin vapor of warm steam to your face.
This is relaxing and helps softens up any blackheads and whiteheads to be
extracted. If you have very sensitive skin, the esthetician may not use steam.
 Exfoliation
Exfoliating the skin uses mechanical or chemical substances. Mechanical
exfoliants have a gritty texture that rubs away the surface dead skin cells. This
type of exfoliation usually happens during the steam. Chemical exfoliation uses
enzymes and acids to loosen the bond between skin cells. A gentle enzyme
treatment can be done during the steam. Stronger chemical peels, which vary in
intensity, can be a stand-alone treatment or part of the facial. It is not generally
an "upgrade" and done in a series.
 Extractions
This is the removal of blackheads or whiteheads if you want it and need it. People
have different pain tolerance for extractions. They can be uncomfortable,
especially on thin or ruddy skin. Extractions can cause broken capillaries and
discoloration if done improperly.

 Facial massage using classic strokes like effleurage to both relax you and
stimulate your skin and facial muscles.
 Facial mask
A mask is targeted to your skin type (dry, oily, combination, sensitive, mature)
and condition. During the facial, the esthetician should stay in the room and give
you a scalp massage or some other service. If they leave the room to let you
"relax," don't go back.
 Final application
An application of toner, serums, moisturizer, and sunscreen if it's daytime is
given.
 Advice on home skin care
The esthetician will tell you how she thinks you can take better care of your skin
and recommend products. Some feel uncomfortable with this step because it
involves product recommendations, but it is part of the esthetician's job.

Facials vary in terms of pricing at day spas, but can go much higher at destination
spas, resort, and hotel spas. Special masks and serums also make the price
higher.

How Often is Best to Get a Facial

It varies from person to person. Ideally, get a facial monthly because that's how
long it takes the skin to regenerate. Try to have a facial at least four times a year,
as the season changes. You may need it more frequently if you are trying to clear
up a case of acne, especially at the beginning. Otherwise, once a month is plenty.
But, you can overdo it, especially if you have sensitive skin.

Variations on the Classic European Facial

You might look at all the different facials offered at on a spa menu and feel
confused about which one to pick. Do you want an anti-aging facial, an oxygen
facial, a collagen facial or a deep-cleansing facial? Don't worry too much though.
There are variations on the classic European facial. The names are usually
determined by the different skin care lines. If you pick the wrong facial for your
skin, a good esthetician will advise you in the treatment room and change the
treatment to something suited for your skin.

Variations on the classic European facial include the mini-facial (a 30-minute

treatment that usually skips extractions). Use a line formulated for mature skin,
with ingredients like vitamin C, and you have an anti-aging facial. It's an oxygen
facial when a mist of pure oxygen is part of the treatment, or the products are
formulated to deliver oxygen to the dermis. It's a collagen facial (also anti-aging)
when special collagen sheets are placed on the skin. An acne facial will pay special
attention to extractions. A photo facial is a separate light treatment to achieve
specific results like boosting collagen or treating acne.