The skin is the body's largest organ and also its most exposed. Many things can damage your skin, from environmental pollutants to UV radiation in sunlight, from the food you eat to cigarette smoke, from skincare products to facial expressions. And then there's genetics. Some people are born with flawless skin (lucky them!). For most of us, however, good skin requires some effort. But healthy, glowing skin is achievable for most people. And rather than covering up imperfections, a better way to get smooth, radiant skin for the long term is to focus on the underlying causes of skin damage.
One of the easiest things you can do for your skin health is to get a regular facial. A professional facial treatment should not only be a luxury reserved for special occasions. It should be an essential part of your regular skincare routine. But spa jargon can be overwhelming - there are so many types of facials available and each one claims to address specific skin conditions.
We're here to help! Keep reading to learn more about the different types of facials. Also find out how hydrafacial treatment, a type of advanced 3-step facial that takes a mere 30 minutes, can give you the best skin of your life.
Types of facials
Classic facial for normal skin
A classic or standard facial is typically recommended for normal (problem-free) skin. It involves professional cleansing, exfoliating, and moisturizing. This type of facial is safe for most skin types. One treatment every 2-4 weeks can help to ain skin health. But while this is a good skincare regimen to follow, it is unlikely to give you the kind of dramatic results you can get from more advanced treatments like hydrafacial.
Acne facial for acne-prone skin
This is a type of facial that has been specially developed for people who suffer from acne. The focus is on cleansing the skin of impurities, extracting blackheads, and unclogging pores to reduce the frequency and severity of breakouts. The treatments leave the skin cleaner, clearer, and healthier. However, acne facials should only be performed by professionals, because when done by someone without experience, they can actually cause breakouts.
Chemical peel for uneven skin tone and texture
One of the first signs of aging is skin with an uneven tone and rough or dull texture. Chemical peels are a type of facial that can address these problems. The treatment involves carefully applying a chemical solution to the skin. This is usually a mild acid like salicylic acid that peels away (exfoliates) the upper, damaged layer of skin, revealing healthy skin beneath. Light chemical peels can give your skin a brighter, refreshed appearance without much downtime.
Microdermabrasion for fine lines and wrinkles
This is a type of facial in which an abrasive is used to sand away dead skin cells from the outer layer of skin. The treatment can reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and address common problems like hyperpigmentation, dark spots, brown spots, acne scars, enlarged pores, dull texture, uneven tone, and sun damage. However, the treatment can be painful and requires some downtime. Not for you? Hydrafacial treatment is painless and there's no downtime (more on that below).
Anti-aging facials
An anti-aging facial follows the same steps as a classic facial but includes active ingredients to reduce the visible signs of aging in mature skin (ages 35 and up). In addition to the standard cleansing and exfoliation, it may include extraction for deep cleansing and hydration with serums to revitalize the skin.
Hydrafacial treatments
A new-age skin treatment that has set the benchmark in facials is called hydrafacial. It is a 3-step, 30-minute treatment that combines all the key elements that are essential for skin health - cleansing, peeling, extraction, hydration, fusion, and protection. The treatment is performed using a patented vortex HydroPeel tip with a spiral design. The device painlessly dislodges impurities and dirt from the skin and simultaneously delivers hydrating serums to protect the skin and boost radiance.
A hydrafacial treatment can address common skin conditions like fine lines, wrinkles, uneven tone, rough skin texture, brown spots, dark spots, oily skin, clogged pores, and enlarged pores. Hydrafacial results vary from person to person but most clients can ain radiant, smooth, youthful looking skin with one treatment every 4-6 weeks. And because the treatment takes a mere 30 minutes, you can schedule hydrafacial treatments during your lunch break!
What to look for in a professional facial?
With dozens of treatments available, it can be confusing to choose the right facial treatment for your skin. Hopefully, the descriptions above have given you some idea of what could be right for you. You might need to try out more than one type of facial to find the one that works. Also, you might need a combination of treatments to give your skin the healthy boost it needs. But before you schedule a consultation for facial treatments, here are some things to keep in mind.
Decide which conditions to treat
Most facials will not treat every skin concern you have. Therefore, when you're deciding on the type of facial you want, a good way to narrow down the selection is by deciding what bothers you the most about your skin. Want to reduce the appearance of fine lines? A facial that includes dermaplaning may be ideal. Uneven skin tone making you look old? A chemical peel could give your skin a healthy glow. Prone to acne? An acne-facial with LED light therapy may help to reduce breakouts. Got lax skin? Treatments that boost collagen can help with skin tightening. Interestingly, hydrafacial treatments are one of the few non invasive skin care treatments that can address multiple conditions and give you vibrant looking skin immediately.
Take a closer look at the ingredients
If the treatment menu at your spa leaves you confused, you can find the right facial treatment by paying attention to the ingredients. For instance, enzyme peels that use glycolic acid or salicylic acid can get rid of dead skin cells and boost skin radiance. Vitamin C can brighten your complexion. The multi step hydrafacial treatment includes super serums that nourish your skin. The moisturizers hydrate and the antioxidants and peptides maximize radiance, all in 30 minutes. What's more, the ingredients can be customized to treat your skin concerns.
Find the right professional
Some of the facials mentioned above are medical procedures and should only be performed by a professional such as a dermatologist, cosmetic surgeon, plastic surgeon, or licensed aesthetician. To see results and benefits as expected, it's essential that you choose the right professional for your treatments, whether it is hydrafacial treatments or some other type of facial. A qualified professional will ensure you understand the limitations of a treatment and walk you through your options if a particular treatment is not right for you.
The MeTime app makes it easy to find aesthetic providers who offer hydrafacial and other types of facials in a professional setting. You can chat with experts, send photos across, schedule a video consultation, and book an appointment through MeTime from the comfort of your home. Got further questions about hydrafacial results? Want to know how long does a hydrafacial take? The MeTime app will give you answers to all your questions and help you zero in on the right facial treatment.
Not quite ready for a professional facial?
If you aren’t quite ready to take the plunge into professional facial treatments, there's a lot you can do for your skin's health at home. Always use sunscreen, stay well hydrated, eat healthy, and stop smoking (if you currently smoke). Follow a daily skincare regimen that includes cleansing and moisturizing with skincare products that are appropriate for your skin type. Once a week, exfoliate your skin to get rid of impurities and dead skin cells that can lead to clogged pores and a dull complexion.
For healthy, radiant, young-looking skin, go in for a professional facial treatment once a month or every 3-4 months. You now know more about the types of facials, so it should be easier to make a selection. Choose a treatment that cleanses, exfoliates (extracts impurities), and moisturizes (hydrates) your skin. The best facials include a customized plan that targets your skin concerns (the hydrafacial treatment ticks all the boxes). Last but not least, don't skip your annual dermatology check for a thorough skin screening. These simple steps will ensure your skin stays healthy and looking its best.