Guide To Professional Facials – The Most Popular Options
The Skinsmith | 26th June, 2023
Which Facial Is Best For You?
In this blog we want to dive into a selection of different types of facial treatments available both hands-on and treatments using machines and other modalities. We hope this will help you decide what treatment you feel is best for you or maybe give you some info on treatments you’ve never tried or heard of before!
Hands-on Facial Treatments
Hands-On Facials
This type of facial is extremely common and available in almost every salon. Your therapist will have been trained to perform a “classic” or “relaxation” facial at college. There are those who consider this a “basic” treatment but it can be far from basic depending on your therapists skill and knowledge and the products being used in your treatment.
The facial can be anything from 20 minutes to 90 minutes and the products are chosen based on what your skin needs and you hope the facial will achieve. You will always get a deep cleanse, tone and application of finishing products, however depending on the length of this popular treatment you may also receive an exfoliation, face mask and a face, neck and shoulder massage as well.
There are many variations of the “classic” facial, some salons offer longer massage time, others include steam and extractions of comedones, you may get specialised lip and eye treatments, hand, foot, arm or scalp massage and some may include a facial on the back as well.
This facial is a popular choice for a reason, it is relaxing, stimulates your skins cell renewal and circulation, hydrates and can target specific concerns. An Eminence classic facial can even produce immediate visible improvements in your skin as the active botanicals give your skin a work out! Eminence also has its own unique Hungarian Facial Massage techniques which enhances the youthful benefits of your Eminence facial.
Therapists who offer hands-on treatments may also offer facials that include Jade Rollers or Gua Sha stones. These treatments both help to stimulate blood flow and lymph drainage to reveal a brighter, healthier complexion. They are very relaxing and a nice alternative to the classic facial above. Another option for an alternative type of hands-on treatment is an Aromatherapy facial, using Essential Oils blended to compliment your skin type, this aromatic facial can be very relaxing and may soothe the mind as well as the skin!
Eminence offers a niche type of hands-on facials with their selection of “hot” peels and masques. These Spicy treatment products warm the skin resulting in deeper, longer lasting benefits of your facial. Stimulating the circulation, detoxification and healing, your skin will be left glowing, plumped and more youthful. If you haven’t experienced a Spicy Eminence treatment then go ahead and put this on your bucket list!
You may also find when you start looking for facials that you will come across Advanced Hands-On Facial Treatments, these may include upgraded products with more advanced ingredients such as retinols, Vitamin C or peptides. Remember hands-on facials have minimal contra-indications so most of us can enjoy this relaxing treat.
Treatment Machines and Modalities
In addition to hands-on facials there is a wide selection of spa and salon treatment machines and modalities that can be added to a hands-on facial or performed as a completely separate facial treatment. You may find that these types of facials are offered in courses of treatments for the best results and can help with more severe skin conditions such as acne, hyperpigmentation, aging and sensitive skin concerns such as rosacea.
Popular Treatment Machines and Modalities
Let’s take a look at some of the more popular modalities and machines you’ll find when you take a look around –
Galvanic – may go by names other than galvanic, this is a popular machine used by therapists to enhance the benefits of a facial treatment. Galvanic is very relaxing and has a galvanic current which is transmitted to the skin by the use of rollers and wands that glide over the face and neck. The current helps to stimulate circulation and in turn oxygen and cell renewal within the skin. It also aids detoxification of the skin and helps products absorb better. There can be some contra-indications to having a galvanic treatment and they can include; pregnancy, epilepsy, heart conditions, metal implants. Check with your therapist first and they will help to advise you of the best option.
High Frequency – is another very popular modality used in many salons and spas, it uses a glass electrode filled with either neon or argon gas. The electrode is massaged over the skin creating a warming effect, this helps to stimulate circulation and cell renewal, oxygen molecules are generated at the surface of the skin helping to heal blemishes. The high frequency current can also help to reduce pores and can help with tired, puffy eyes too. It creates a “buzzing” sound and is often used with specific oxygenating products. High frequency is good for oily, acne and breakout prone skins, as well as aging. Like Galvanic your therapist will check that you don’t have any contra-indications to receive the treatment and advise the best treatment plan for you.
LED – Light Emitting Diodes – a non-invasive procedure that delivers low level pulses of light to stimulate a variety of different results in the skin. LED uses different colours of light which have different energy wavelengths, the different colours or wavelengths of energy are absorbed into the skin at different depths activating cells, circulation, detoxification, and healing. A popular treatment for ageing, healing wounds and for improving skin concerns such as eczema. This treatment machine is also used in the health care profession on compromised cells such as cancer cells.
Treatments often pulse between different light frequencies for customised results for each client.
Red – Anti- Ageing
Purple – Cell Rejuvenation
Blue – Anti- Acne
Cyan – Skin Soother
Green – Skin Balancer
Yellow – Redness Reducer
Orange – Revitaliser
Infrared – Results Booster
Professional LED machines will look like a dome or moulded face mask, this is a very relaxing, safe treatment, suitable for all skin types.
Microcurrent – increasing in popularity this effective anti-ageing facial significantly improves & helps signs of ageing. It lifts sagging muscles, tones loose skin, contours the face and diminishes fine lines and wrinkles. A low current stimulates facial muscles to tone & strengthen muscle fibres. It helps to relax muscles that are too tight, and tone muscles that are weaker, re-educating the facial muscles to work better and look more toned and youthful. Microcurrent treatments also stimulate circulation along with the production of collagen and elastin. This popular facial is safe, painless, and relaxing. It is most commonly offered in courses for the best results and you can see immediate and long-term improvements when you invest in this treatment. Your therapist will advise if you have any contra-indications, which are similar to Galvanic.
Microdermabrasion – this facial leaves your skin baby soft! A wand delivers a fine jet of abrasive particles, usually crystals, that abrade away the dead skin cells on the surface of your skin, they are then vacuumed back up the wand along with debris and impurities. It is very stimulating and can leave you with a rosy glow. The abrasive action of a dermabrasion treatment encourages the skin to repair itself which in turn stimulates collagen production. It is a deeper exfoliation than a hands-on facial exfoliation and can help improve concerns such as; fine lines, acne, scarring and uneven areas of skin tone. This treatment may feel a little “gritty” and some may feel a slight tingling sensation but generally it is very comfortable and relaxing for most. The deeper exfoliation has the benefit of allowing other products to absorb better so the results of this facial can last longer than a hands-on treatment. If you have open wounds, sunburn, heat rash, swelling you may need to wait until they are healed but your therapist will advise you best.
Discover The Benefits of Facials
There are still many different facial treatment options available, we have highlighted the most popular and commonly found treatments in this blog, which we hope has helped you choose the right treatment for you.
You can also learn more about the key benefits of professional treatments by speaking to a member of our experienced and friendly team today on 01305 300950 or by emailing [email protected]. We look forward to hearing from you.