Facial is one of the most popular forms of serious skin care treatments offered at spas and salons worldwide. This type of treatment cleanses, exfoliates, and nourishes the skin. It also keeps the skin smooth and clear. In this article I will define what facial treatment is as well as explains the procedures and other related information on the said skin care treatment.
When you have a healthy and radiant-looking skin, people instantly assume that you are taking real good care of your body, particularly your skin. The skin is actually regarded by many as a mirror of oneself, in which it is a reflection of how one takes care of his body.
Of course, to keep our skin looking beautiful and young, proper skin care is really necessary. See, there are a lot of skin care regimens that people can adapt and practice every day, and there are also a number of skin care products available in markets today that are formulated to maintain the natural suppleness of the skin.
Meanwhile, skin care does not necessarily have to cost you a lot of money. As for skin care products, learn how to choose products that are not too expensive yet provide excellent skin maintenance results. Treatments, on the other hand, do not really need to be high-end and costly. Simple treatments like facial are usually the ones needed by the skin.
People of the Ancient World actually used a number of different natural materials as organic skin care treatments. Honey is another ingredient that was used by people who lived during ancient times. As it is with many common pantry items, honey has made its name as a sugar replacement, and natural remedy for various ailments. In the past, it was also used as a natural skin moisturizer not only by Egyptians but also by the Greeks. Like honey, olive oil was also used as part of an all-natural skin care recipe.
At present, these natural products are being packaged and marketed by large companies who deal in skin care lines. They have created new products that serve as moisturizers, exfoliants, toners, all from nature-based substances. These companies have captured a large chunk of the skin care market due to the promise of producing hypo-allergenic, chemical-free natural products for skin care.
However, aside from choosing an effective, all-natural product, both men and women should also consider the following:
Today, almost all people know that most soap contain harsh chemicals that dry the skin. Harsh soaps strip the natural oils from the skin and destroy the barriers that serve as protection from daily sun exposure and other harmful elements in the environment. Knowing this, it is important to be aware of products or have the ability to produce products that can be used for skin care, specifically for one’s face. A homemade facial wash would be a much gentler and more affordable option. Not only does washing one’s face remove dead skin cells, oil build up, and impurities, it also helps improve circulation, protects against break-outs, and stimulates skin cell renewal.
Natural skin care recipes do not usually include a foaming agent. But in case one wants some foaming action, simply add a small dab of a rich emollient-based face wash product. Oily skin types want to lean towards a facial cleanser that has an acid base such as a citrus ingredient while sensitive skin benefits from the healing properties provided by aloe-vera and green tea. Making one’s own natural facial cleanser ensures that the daily build–up of dirt is gently washed away without stripping away the skin’s essential natural attributes. In order to maximize the benefits of using a natural facial cleanser, apply the homemade recipe to warm moist skin. Use a circular motion to gently massage the skin with the cleanser, then rinse well. This face wash strategy will ensure a deep cleansing of clogging dirt from the pores which will then leave the skin clean, soft and supple.
One does not need to be a queen like Cleopatra to have good skin. It only takes having a balanced and healthy diet, good hygiene, and the use of gently, natural skin care products. Human beauty can be improved or maintained with the help of Nature and all the beauty secrets it holds.
What is a facial treatment?
A facial is a form of serious skin care treatment that nourishes, exfoliates, and cleanses the skin, thus, promoting a well-hydrated, smooth, and clear complexion. This type of skin care is in fact regarded as one of the most popular and in-demand spa and salon treatments today.
There are a lot of tools and equipment used in facial treatments. Among them are the following:
- Facial chair or bed
- Magnifying lamp
- Facial steamer
- Small trolley
- Cotton and cotton pads
- Gauze
- Towels
- Head covering
- Facial massager
- Cleansers, astringents, sanitizers, moisturizers, creams,
- Facial masks
The following are the basic steps in a facial treatment:
Facial cleansing: Cleansing is the first thing in facial skin care routine. Cleansing helps in removing dust, pollutants, grease and extra oil from your skin, thereby preventing damage to your skin. Just spot your face and neck with a good cleansing lotion or cream and gently massage it into your skin using upward strokes. Use a soft face tissue or cotton wool to wipe your face in a gentle patting fashion (do not rub). Cleansing should be done at least twice a day i.e. morning (as part of complete facial skin care routine) and evening (on a standalone basis). Water soluble cleansers are the best for inclusion in your facial skin care routine.
Toning is the next in a facial skin care routine. However, this is the optional part of the facial skin care routine. Mostly, proper cleansing can compensate for toning. Toning helps remove all traces of dirt, grease and excess cleanser. Instead of making it part of your daily facial skin care routine, you can use toning occasionally i.e. when you have been exposed to particularly harsh environment/pollution.
Exfoliation using steaming: Exfoliation is again, kind of, optional step in everyday routine for facial skin care. However, exfoliation is necessary at least once a week (or twice, depending on the skin type and the environmental conditions). Exfoliation finds its place in facial skin care routine because of the natural tendency of skin to replenish the skin cells every 3 or 4 weeks. As a facial skin care technique, exfoliation helps in removing the dead skin cells that block the pores, thus assisting the skin in the natural process. However, excessive or harsh exfoliation can cause damage to your skin; so you need to balance it out.
The next thing in facial skin care is moisturizing. In fact, moisturizing is the most important part of facial skin care routine. Moisturizers prevent your skin from getting dry. Dry skin is really undesirable since it cause the upper layer skin to break, leading to dead skin cells. Again, use light upward strokes to make the moisturizer more effective. Moisturizers work the best when applied on warm and damp skin. So do not try to remove all the moisture in the previous steps of facial skin care routine.
How often should you get a facial treatment?
According to dermatologists and skin care specialists, people should get a serious skin care facial treatment every four to six weeks. The ideal number of times to have facial treatments is four to five times a year. Those who have skin complications like acne may need to get a facial more often than the usual recommended times to get it.
As for the cost of the treatment, it varies depending on the price offerings of spa and salon establishments. The packages and add-ons on the procedure make the cost of the treatment higher.
Furthermore, those who cannot afford to get a facial treatment at spas and salons can opt for a home-made facial treatment. A quick facial regimen that can be practised at home includes that following easy-to-do steps:
- Splash your face with warm water.
- Massage your face using olive oil.
- Thoroughly scrub your face with a half-teaspoon of sugar.
- Wipe your face with a warm wet cloth.
Besides the normal facial skin care routine, you should also exercise the following for facial skin care:
- Use proper make-up remover instead of just washing it away
- Pay heed to your skin type and the environment, when choosing facial skin care products. Professionals call it skin analysis
- Before you start using a new facial skin care product, test it by applying it on a short patch of skin e.g. ear lobes.
- Never rub your skin too hard.
- Use sunscreen lotions for protection against sun.
- Extraction of blackheads
- Facial massage to relax the body and stimulate the skin
- Application of facial mask
I will be sharing more about facial care in my next article about skin care. If you have any questions before then feel free to drop a comment.
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