What Is a Facial Anyway?!

First of all someone coming to me that has never been in before is going to take 5-10 minutes at the start of the service to fill out a complete skincare profile. This is going to have questions on it regarding your health, your concerns, allergies, products you use and general information about you. You will then sit down and discuss your information together. This is just between your skin care therapist and you. You never have to worry about what it is you say, because it will not get back to your work or your doctor or insurance provider. This information allows your therapist to better understand your specific needs and to be able to point you in the right direction for ultimate skin health.

Next you will undress generally from the waist up in a private room and put on a spa wrap that usually is similar to a robe or large towel. It allows for massaging your neck and shoulders, without damaging your clothes. If you are uncomfortable with undressing completely many people wear a tank top or tube top under their own clothes so that you can put the robe on over it.

The facial then begins with a cleansing process. At Spa La Mode we use a double cleanse technique that removes makeup, oil, dirt, and debris from skin allowing for better product absorption and penetration. After your skin is clean you will have a thorough skin analysis. This is the time where your therapist will look at your skin and usually touch and feel for problems that are underlining. This may be things you have discussed with them already, or different things that they notice that you would not be able to.

After your analysis your therapist will determine what type of treatment is ideal for your skin and discuss it with you if you are unsure of what you are wanting to do. This process can be as detailed or basic as you would like it to be depending if you are coming in for results or just relaxation.

Next signaling the start of your facial you will receive an exfoliating treatment. This might be a scrub, polish, chemical, or any skin specific exfoliation you might require. This removes dead skin that has built up on the surface clogging pores, deepening wrinkles and adding to the overall diminished  look of the skin. While your treatment sits you will be treated to a hand and arm massage.

After your exfoliation is removed with warm towels you will get a relaxing facial massage. This helps your muscles relax and reduces fine lines and wrinkles as well as improves circulation to the face and neck.

If you require any extractions you will now receive them. Extractions are a way of removing blackheads or whiteheads in the skin. These are tiny clogs in the pore that is not yet a pimple, but will be if left untreated. Not everyone requires extractions so this is on a case by case basis.

After calming your skin with special serums, you will receive a finishing mask. These masks are very skin specific and can range from treating acne issues to deep wrinkles and sun damage. While your finishing mask sits you will receive a nice stress relieving massage on your shoulders, neck, décolleté, and scalp.

At the end of your treatment you will be moisturized, toned, and a proctectant SPF will be applied to the skin. You will be helped off the table and given a drink of water.

After dressing, any questions you might have about your service or your skin can be answered by your therapist. This entire process typically lasts between 50-70 minutes. Every spa does there facials a little different. This guide, however will give you a general idea of what will happen during your spa facial service.