This is the first installment of a series we’re going to do on facials. In this piece, we’ll be covering the benefits of a basic facial with a focus on extractions and exfoliation. We’ll also go over what you should expect from a good facial provider, so you know what to look out for. In the next piece, we’ll be looking at the different types of facials spas offer, and which one you should choose.
We All Want Great Skin
We likely all have similar skin goals: plump, hydrated, acne-free, young, taut, and smooth are guaranteed to be some of the words you’d use to describe the kind of skin you want. Flawless skin is one of the most sought-after features, which explains why we all spend so much money on skin care products and facials. After all, your skin can say a lot about you. Having great skin connotes good health, so it makes sense that we take care of it first.
Facials are one of the best ways to get your skin looking smooth, glowy, and clear. They’re not just a luxurious treatment to be enjoyed once a year on your birthday. On the contrary, facials constitute an important part of a solid skincare regime and should be done regularly. A good facial can cure or help manage a whole host of skin issues, including acne, dehydration, eczema, and many others.
Skin Anatomy 101
To understand how a facial extraction affects the skin we need to first learn a little bit about the skin’s anatomy. Our skin is made up of three layers – the epidermis, dermis, and subcutaneous.
The outer skin (epidermis) is obviously the skin that we see, and it gets a big beating from the sun, pollution, dry air, free radicals, and other environmental factors every day. Luckily, our skin is a magical organ that regenerates itself every 28 days. When this happens, new cells come to the surface, while the old cells die, fall away, or get brushed off.
Sometimes dead skin cells don’t just fall away and instead get stuck in our skin, which is what we call clogged pores. Dead skill cells that are trapped in our pores form the basis of blackheads. Sebum (the natural oil our skin produces) is then blocked from making its way to the dermis. The oil then collects in the pore and sometimes causes a pimple to form.
Facials Can Help In Three Big Ways
1. Getting Rid Of Dead Skin Cells
A good facial will always help to get rid of dead skin cells and blockages in the pores. Your therapist will slough away the old skin by exfoliating your skin thoroughly with a gentle product.
For a truly deep exfoliation, you can opt for microdermabrasion. Microdermabrasion technology uses tiny crystals to exfoliate the skin. The debris and impurities are then drawn out by suction, leaving you with the cleanest and softest skin imaginable. Microdermabrasion is a painless technique that’s suitable for all skin types.
2. Removing Blackheads + Preventing Pimples
Extractions are a vital component of a facial. A good extraction can clear minefield areas such as your nose, chin, and forehead from blackheads, whiteheads and comedones. Your therapist may steam you or apply a pore-opening gel before gently and hygienically removing blockages. Once they’re removed, you pores will shrink back to being unnoticeable. Getting regular extractions also reduces the chance of blockages turning into acne. The result is clean, clear looking skin!
3. Increasing Cell Turnover
With clean, blockage-free skin, oxygen can travel more freely and allow for a higher cell turnover. With greater cell turnover comes a boost in the production of collagen and elastin. Collagen and elastin are the proteins responsible for keeping our skin firm and young. They help the skin bounce back, and prevent wrinkles, puckering, and sagging.
4. Allowing Products To Work Better
Once your skin is clean and free of clogged pores, all serums and creams applied can be readily absorbed into the skin. Deeper absorption means they’ll able to work their magic better, and it also means less wastage. Sometimes when our skin has not gone through a proper extraction, laying products on top can actually cause greater blockages and lead to nasty breakouts.
What To Expect From A Good Facial
Step 1: Consultation
All good facials should begin with a consultation. Your therapist should do an assessment of your skin and ask about any skin conditions, sensitivity, or allergies. Unless you’ve already chosen the kind of facial you want, your therapist will be able to recommend the best one for you based on what your skin needs.
Step 2: Preparation
You’ll be brought into your treatment room after changing into something clean and comfortable. Your therapist will help position you on the treatment table, get you relaxed, and clear all the hair away from your face and into a soft hair band.
Step 3: Cleansing
All facials should begin with a good cleanse to remove any pollution, dirty, impurities, and makeup that are on the skin. A good cleanse creates a clean canvas for the exfoliation and extractions to begin.
Step 4: The Rest
The rest of your facial really depends on what you selected. You may have asked for a deep clean, in which case you can expect steaming, extractions, and microdermabrasion. If you opted for something anti-aging, you may be given collagen-rich serums, oxygen application, and a variety of masks and creams. We’ll go over these treatments and their benefits in the next installment.
The elements can wreak havoc on your skin here. If you’re looking for a great exfoliation or microdermabrasion facial in Bali, look no further. Our state-of-the-art facial systems use only Janssen cosmetics, applied by trained estheticians. Our highly knowledgeable therapists understand how to treat all types of skin, and will be able to recommend the best facial for you. Book in today and enjoy the best facials the island has to offer at an affordable price point.
