In spas worldwide, facials rank as the second most popular service next to a massage.

A facial gives you a clear, well-hydrated, and youthful skin. Basically, it cleans, exfoliates, and nourishes the skin, and specially focuses on addressing a specific or various needs of your skin, like rejuvenation and replenishment of the skin's lost nutrients, using different skin care products and professional techniques in skin care. When done regularly, a facial actually boosts the effectiveness of your skin care regimen so you are better able to achieve your skin care goal, and helps to maintain your ideal skin condition in a major way.

A facial can also be called a deep cleansing facial or deep pore cleansing facial because of the process of physically removing the clog in the pores, called extraction.

What is Involved in a Facial?

Cleansing.
A facial starts with a thorough cleansing using cotton pads or sponges and a facial cleanser that is specially suited for your skin type (normal, dry, oily, combination, sensitive, mature).

Skin Analysis.
In this step, the esthetician will cover your eyes and he/she will look at your skin through a bright magnifying lamp to check or see certain conditions of your skin.

Exfoliation.
This step is done using a Mechanical or Chemical Exfoliant.

Mechanical Exfoliation is done using a facial scrub and has a gritty rough texture and occurs when a steam vapor is directed at your face.

Chemical Exfoliation, on the other hand, is done by brushing a special solution, like a glycolic acid, over the face. This type of exfoliation, however, is recommended to be performed only by a dermatologist or certified skin expert since the chemical solution is left over your face for a few minutes, depending on the current state of your skin, to precondition your skin for the next step of the facial treatment, and leaving the acid longer than what is required for your skin can actually damage or burn it.

Some facials will use steam towels as well.

Extraction.
During a facial, removal of blackheads or whiteheads will be done if you require it. Extraction has to be done carefully, for if not, it could result in discoloration, broken capillaries on sensitive skin, or permanently enlarge the skin’s pores or damage the skin’s tissues, which can lead to permanent facial scars.

Extracting blackheads and whiteheads can be quite painful if you have not preconditioned your skin before the facial treatment, particularly if you have not well maintained your skin care regimen, especially if you have a trouble-prone skin, which should have helped to “soften” the impurities that clog the pores so that they can be easily and painlessly extracted. If your skin needs this step, however, remember that the goal to extraction is to remove the clog from the skin’s pores, which can later lead to pimples and enlarged pores, and may deter the efficiency of your skin care products and your facial skin care regimen. Extracting the whiteheads and blackheads by yourself at home, however, is not advisable as it might irritate your skin, or worse, cause permanent enlarged pores and scars.

Facial Massage.
A facial massage by classic strokes, like effleurage, relaxes and stimulates your facial muscles and skin.

Masking, Toning, and Application of Protective creams.
Using the products that are best-suited for your skin type, this process is aimed to nourish, soothe your skin, and target the specific needs of your skin. In addition to protective creams, your skin can also take benefit from other special kinds of skin care products, like rose water, crystal water, ampoules, and serums, among many others that your dermatologist, spa therapist, or beautician may use to cleanse and treat your skin.

Advice on Home Skin Care.
To help you maintain a cleaner, rejuvenated skin and help to get you ahead of your skin care goal, your dermatologist, spa therapist, or beautician will give you helpful tips, recommend products to use for your skin, and maybe suggest a skin care regimen. By following such, you can help keep your skin in good condition all the time.

Various Facial Treatments.

There are two (2) main types of facial treatments:
the Hands-on Technique and Electrotherapy.

The Hands-On Technique involves using stimulating hand movements and massage that will remove dead skin from the face, reduce fine lines and stimulate the generation of new cells and removal of black heads.

The Electrotherapy Technique is when electronic devices are used and there are no hand movements involved.

Both methods have their pros and cons.

Hands-On Facial Treatment.

This facial treatment involves the therapist or beautician using her hands to massage your face. No electric device will be used except a steam machine. The facial kits used are all oil- or cream-based and chosen depending on your skin type. Similarly, the essential oils, gels or moisturizing creams are chosen according to your skin type, skin maturity and the treatment. Gels, in particular, are used for oily and pimple-full skin, while oils or moisturizers are used for dry or normal skin.

After the cleansing and optional steaming, a Clay or Mud-based Face Pack is used to close the open pores and to provide nutrition to the skin. A Peel-Off Mask can be used for sensitive skin. You can gently peel off the mask from the skin when the facial mask dries up. This Peel-Off Mask also tightens your skin so it works as an uplifting treatment.

Examples of Hands-On Facial Treatment:

Vitamin C Facial. This facial treatment involves the application of Vitamin C to your face. Vitamin C has high anti oxidants, which will help your skin to look healthy and glowing.

Oxygen Facial. A light fan will blow purified Oxygen and oils into your face. Oxygen facials help stop wrinkling and adult acne.

Collagen Facial. Application of Collagen to your face. A collagen facial will give your skin elasticity and strength.

Deep Sea Facial. The facial treatments of the Dead Sea minerals on the skin are many and have been recognized since ancient times. This facial involves usage of deep sea minerals and the enzymes present in it.

Deep Pore Facial. This is a multi-step process to target the deep pores.

Electrotherapy Facial Treatments.

These facial treatments are done using machines and not hands. There are three (3) main types of Electrotherapy Treatments based on your skin types.

Examples of Electrotherapy Facial Treatments:

High Frequency Treatment. In this treatment gauze is put on the face and then a glass electrode is passed over the face. This treatment is suitable for oily and acne prone skin because it helps to dry out spots and also has antibacterial effects. In direct frequency treatments can be used for dry to normal skin types.

Galvanic Treatment. Metal rollers will introduce an active ingredient deeply into your facial skin, by massaging. This treatment is suitable for all skin types.

Micro Current Treatment. This treatment enhances the skin texture and color as well as uplifting your facial skin.

Choose the Right Facial Treatment for You.

Both types of facial treatments, i.e., Hands-On Facial Treatment and Electrotherapy Facial Treatment, help in improving your skin’s texture, quality and also make it look glowing and healthy.