Professional Skincare & Massage Therapy
Frequently Asked Questions / Skincare
What is a Facial?
Who Can Benefit From a Facial?
How Should I Prepare for My Treatment?
What Can I Expect During My Facial?
What is a Chemical Peel?
Skin of Color
Rosacea
What are Antiaging Treatments?
What is Acne?
What is Dermalplaning?
Types of Skin Care Therapies
Chemical Exfoliation—An exfoliation process usually used to minimize fine lines and wrinkles using a chemical formula.
Exfoliation—The removal of dead skin cells manually or using a chemical formula.
Extraction—Proper pore cleansing, the removal of blackheads, whiteheads, and blocked pores.
Facials—After analysis, cleansing, and preparation, a mask is applied to the face. Therapeutic ingredients vary based on skin type.
Microdermabrasion—A technique utilizing a machine to exfoliate the uppermost layers of the skin. Used to treat hyperpigmentation and uneven surface texture. Some states require that estheticians who perform microdermabrasion meet certain requirements, be supervised by a physician, or that the technique is performed only by a physician.
Waxing—Hair-removal technique. Warm wax is applied to the skin, allowed to cool, then removed.
Dermalplaning--- A form of manual exfoliation similar in theory to microdermabrasion but without the use of suction or abrasive crystals. An esthetician grade, sterile blade is stroked along the skin at an angle to gently “shave off” dead skin cells from the epidermis. Dermaplaning also temporarily removes the fine vellus hair of the face, leaving a very smooth surface.
What is a Facial? back to top
A facial is a professional cleansing, purifying, and beautifying treatment of the skin on the face and neck. A typical facial deeply cleanses and freshens the skin by exfoliating away dead skin cells. The objective of a classic European facial is to maintain soft, unblemished, well-hydrated skin.
Who Can Benefit From a Facial? back to top
No matter how sensitive or hard to treat your skin is, you can still benefit from a facial because any facial can be suited to fit your individual skin care needs. Be sure to communicate clearly with your skin care professional exactly what you want to get out of your facial, so your therapist can do his or her best to accommodate you.
How Should I Prepare for My Treatment? back to top
Come to your facial appointment on time and as relaxed as possible. You can come to the treatment room with a clean face or allow your skin care professional to remove your makeup for you. Be ready to fill out a medical questionnaire and describe what medications and skin care products you are using. Your licensed skin care professional may ask about your genetic background and family history. You will be asked how your skin responds to sun exposure.
Your therapist will do an analysis of your skin, look for any interactions between products and medications, and devise a treatment plan that’s suitable for your skin type and condition. Start treatment when you are ready to commit to a series of treatments and a home care regimen.
What Can I Expect During My Facial? back to top
Though there are many types of facials available at spas today, a basic facial might include the following steps. Cleansing, skin analysis, exfoliation, massage, extraction of blackheads and other impurities, and application of products targeted to your skin type (dry, oily, mixed, sensitive, mature). Some facials might also increase breakouts for a short period afterward, since the skin was stimulated and is now ridding itself of toxins and impurities. Keep in mind that the more facials you get, the less impurities your skin will contain, which means you will experience fewer breakouts as time goes on.
What is a Chemical Peel? back to top
Chemical peels are used to remove the outermost layer of the skin and reveal the fresh, lesswrinkled layer below. In these procedures, a chemical formula is placed on the skin, which then peels off, eliminating dead cells and leaving the skin with clarity, luminosity, showing an improvement in fine lines and, possibly, hyperpigmentation ( dark or age spots ). Most skin colors and types can benefit from chemical peels, though it is best to check with your esthetician about which peel might be right for you. If you’re taking acne medication, Retin-A or Accutane, talk to your esthetician about stopping the medication before and during treatment to avoid complications.
What Can I Expect During a Chemical Peel? back to top
The skin is cleansed thoroughly with an oil reducing solution, and protective materials are placed on the eyes and hair. One or more chemical mixtures, such as glycolic acid, trichloroacetic acid, salicylic acid, lactic acid, or barbolic acid (phenol), are dabbed onto the areas of the skin to be treated. A warming or stinging sensation may occur during the treatment, and may last about five to ten minutes. After most chemical peels, the skin will look as though it has been sunburned. Then it will begin to peel and may look scaly. This is a normal reaction to the peel and is the process of the skin rejuvenating itself. This process takes about three to seven days. Your esthetician may recommend a series of peels for maximum results.
Skin of Color back to top
Any person with skin of color, defined as individuals of African, Asian, Hispanic/Latino, Native American, or Pacific Island descent, can benefit from this specialized skin care. There are many treatments available for skin of color and your esthetician is best able to decide which treatments may work best for you.
Skin of color is more prone to scarring and development of dark or light patches from acne, injuries, and improper skin treatments. Skin of color may be more prone to breakouts with the use of antibiotics, aspirin, and birth control pills. Where skin breakouts are concerned, refrain from picking at blemishes because of your heightened tendency to scar. The good news is the presence of extra melanin in the skin means skin of color will appear to age more slowly.
Remember, too, that despite what you may have heard, skin of color is susceptible to skin cancer and that sunscreen should always be worn. Sun exposure may also cause unevenness in skin pigmentation.
Rosacea back to top
Rosacea (rose-AY-sha) is a chronic skin disease that causes redness and swelling, primarily on the face, but also at times on the scalp, neck, ears, chest, and back. It is considered a vascular disorder. The condition can develop over a long period of time and is more common in adults, particularly those with fair skin.
Rosacea’s appearance is such that it is often mistaken for acne or sunburn. Its appearance may include flushing, persistent redness, visible blood vessels, and pimples. No one knows the cause of rosacea, but it is thought to run in families and can be aggravated by environmental factors and diet.
There are many treatments, including topical agents, chemical exfoliation, ultrasonic treatments, and hydration. While not a cure, any of these treatments can help control symptoms, sometimes for several years. Self-treatment beyond a simple and gentle cleansing routine is not advised since some over-the-counter remedies may actually worsen symptoms, as will aggressive scrubbing and rubbing.
What are Antiaging Treatments? back to top
Thanks to the wonders of science and innovation by skin care professionals, you can choose from a wide range of antiaging treatments. Some antiaging treatments your skin care professional may be able to provide you are a wide variety of facials, microdermabrasion, chemical exfoliation, galvanic treatment, and phototherapy (exposure to light-emitting diodes or intense pulsed light). The results of your treatment may be obvious right away or may take some time to achieve. This depends entirely on your program and the methods used.
What is Acne? back to top
Acne is the most common skin disorder and 85 percent of all Americans will experience it some time in their lifetime. While commonly thought to be an adolescent problem, it can appear at any age, most often on the face, back, and chest, in the form of pimples, whiteheads, or blackheads. More advanced acne appears as cysts or nodules that are nested more deeply in the skin. It’s a myth that acne is caused by diet, poor hygiene, or stress. The true cause is the overproduction of oil, the blockage of follicles that release the oil, and the growth of bacteria in those follicles. This can be triggered by a change in medications or hormone levels. It’s important to treat acne early to avoid scarring, which cannot be effectively reversed.
What Should I Expect From My Acne Treatment? back to top
You should expect regular treatments whose goal is to provide deep cleansing, perhaps through exfoliation, a mask, a facial, phototherapy, galvanic treatment, or some combination of these. The goal is to deeply cleanse follicles and disinfect them, clearing away oil, bacteria, and dead skin cells.
What About Acne Home Care?
Your esthetician can provide the best guidance on caring for your skin after treatment. Generally, this will involve keeping your skin clean and avoiding picking at your blemishes—the single biggest cause of scarring. It’s very important you follow instructions given to you by your esthetician, especially since untreated or undertreated acne can lead to continuing and worsening outbreaks and scarring.
What is Dermaplaning? back to top
Dermaplaning is a form of manual exfoliation similar in theory to microdermabrasion but without the use of suction or abrasive crystals. An esthetician grade, sterile blade is stroked along the skin at an angle to gently “shave off” dead skin cells from the epidermis. Dermaplaning also temporarily removes the fine vellus hair of the face, leaving a very smooth surface.
As with any type of exfoliation, the removal of dead skin cells allows home care products to be more effective, reduces the appearance of fine lines, evens skin tone and assists in reducing milia, closed and open comedones, and minor breakouts associated with congested pores.
Dermaplaning can be an effective exfoliation method for clients that have couperose (tiny blood vessels near the surface of the skin), sensitive skin or allergies that prevent the use of microdermabrasion or chemical peels. Due to the contours of the face, certain areas of the face (such as the eyelids and nose) are not treatable using this method.