Are Facials Good For Your Skin? Your Guide to Glowing Skin

Hey! How often do you get your facial done? I mean weekly, monthly, or occasionally. Actually, it’s up to one’s own preferences and comfort. But, I want to draw your attention to some myths revolving around it.

A lot of people say that facials are just a tool for relaxation with no added benefits; well no because they help in skin rejuvenation. Another myth is that facials help to eliminate wrinkles; no they help make your skin better, removing wrinkles does not happen just by facials. Some people will also say that facials are painful. Well, I don’t know how could someone think this. As not only are they painless but also very soothing to the skin. In fact, I also go for regular facials and body massages. You won’t believe it helps me a lot in many ways. It not only maintains the quality of my skin but also relaxes my skin and mind.

Okay, that’s my personal experience, But, for those still confused about it, I will tell you more about facials and their impacts.

First, I’ll Explain to You If Facials Are Necessary for Everyone

Let me clarify between need and want. So, are facials necessary for your skin? The answer is no; but are facials good for your skin, the answer is definitely yes.

It is possible to have amazingly glowing and flawless skin without facials especially when young. But, for anybody who is very concerned about their skin’s health and would love some special care facials are a go-to.

And then some people have sensitive or slightly damaged skin, others have acne issues or other skin problems, and also the aging effects. And sometimes, it feels like you have tried all remedies but nothing seems to work for you.

In such cases what you need is expert care directed toward you. A care that is meant specifically for your skin type and usage; designed by professionals who have worked with all kinds of skin over the years. Most skin experts recommend facials in such cases.

The Icy WHiz team talked to Dr. Jerry Friedman, DDS at North Jersey Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, about the frequency of facial treatments. Here is what he said:

“How frequently you can safely enjoy facial treatments depends on your skin condition and the purpose of the treatments. For example, those with normal skin can safely get maintenance facials every 4-6 weeks to keep their skin looking healthy.

Those with acne, rosacea, or eczema may benefit from more frequent treatments, as often as every 2 weeks in some circumstances. Choosing the right facial treatment generally starts with determining your skin type, skin concerns, and overall goals for the treatment.

A reputable dermatologist or professional esthetician can help you make these determinations and design a treatment plan that will work best for you.”

I Know You Still Doubt If Facials Are Good for Your Skin

I must tell you that they are actually an exercise form for your skin to keep it at its best. Implying that facials help remove or recover from wear and tear to make it more clear and vivid. Just like exercise for your body, facials help keep your skin glowing and youthful. They make your skin hydrated and plump by actually activating the renewal mechanism supported by the body itself.

It can be basically attributed to the ability of facials to increase the renewal process which involves the work on collagen and similar substances not just peripherally but deep inside the skin layers also.

They are very soothing and can help in reducing redness and even hyperpigmentation. When done correctly and spread periodically over time facials can help lessen wrinkles, crinkles, and scarring.

According to a journal published by Biomedical Research, regular facial massage helps activate the sympathetic nervous system, reduces anxiety levels, uplifts your mood, and keeps your skin glowing. I am sure after knowing about so many facial benefits you are in no more doubt.

Dr. Zev Schulhof, DMD, MD at Iconic Implants, talked to the Icy Whiz team about the frequency of facial treatments. Here is an excerpt from the interview:

“Facial treatments are a great way to improve the condition and appearance of your skin, but it can be difficult to know how often it is safe to receive these treatments.

Generally speaking, people with “normal” skin (free of any ongoing skin conditions) can schedule a facial treatment every 4-6 weeks. If you are struggling to control a skin condition such as rosacea or acne, targeted facials can be completed every 2-3 weeks as needed.

It’s important to consult with your dermatologist about the safest, most effective course of action before incorporating facials into your ongoing skincare routine.”

Let Me Tell You How Facials Work

I have been regularly using facials to maintain my skin for the last 4-5 years. My therapist who is also a skin expert told me that over time the epidermal layer of the skin becomes loaded with dead skin cells, which makes our skin look dull and wrinkly. When we touch it, it feels thick and sticky.

The reason is that all the pores are closed and clogged, and the skin can not breathe nicely. There are a lot of blackheads and even whiteheads, and the skin’s natural defense gets weakened.

If in this state, you go for facial treatments, then professionally all this debris is removed from your skin which helps it to breathe again after all the unwanted substances have been extracted from the surface.

Initially, there is a primary cleaning, then deep exfoliation followed by good hydration to keep up with the skin’s health.

Now therapeutic products are applied to balance the complexion and in layers of work your skin is treated and cleared so all the congestion is removed and you have cleaner, healthier, and better-looking skin.

We interviewed Dr. T.N Rekha Singh, a Certified Skin Specialist at Oliva Skin and Hair Clinic, on skin types and concerns about facial frequency. Here is what she had to say:

“Exfoliating is a crucial component of a comprehensive skincare routine. It removes dead skin cells, promotes cell renewal, and enhances the skin’s overall health and appearance. 

• Mechanical Exfoliation with Gentle Tools: Utilize soft, natural brushes or cloth. This method involves physically rubbing the skin with a brush or a specially designed cloth to gently remove dead skin cells without causing micro-tears or harming the skin’s protective layer.
• Homemade Scrubs Using Natural Ingredients: Create scrubs from kitchen ingredients like sugar, coffee grounds, or oatmeal mixed with a natural oil like coconut or olive oil. These ingredients offer a gentle exfoliation that slows away dead cells without introducing harsh chemicals.

Understanding one’s skin type and any existing skin conditions is pivotal to customizing a safe and effective exfoliation routine.

1. Sensitive Skin: For those with sensitive skin, limit exfoliation to once a week using very gentle methods like oatmeal, which has soothing properties, to minimize irritation.
2. Oily and Acne-Prone Skin: Individuals with oily or acne-prone skin might benefit from exfoliating more frequently, up to 2-3 times a week. However, opt for gentle exfoliants to avoid exacerbating acne or causing irritation. A homemade sugar scrub can offer a mild exfoliation without overly stripping the skin.
3. Dry or Mature Skin: Those with dry or mature skin should focus on hydration. A mixture that includes a hydrating component, like honey, can provide the necessary exfoliation while imparting moisture.
4. Combination Skin: For combination skin, consider a more targeted approach, applying different exfoliants to different areas of the face based on the specific skin type of that area.”

Varied Types of Exfoliation Used in Professional Facials

In today’s time, you get a variety of facials, and you should make a choice based upon your needs and skin type. Before going for any process, I suggest you always inform the salon or the professional of anything typical about your skin, so that there are no issues in between or after the procedure.

Generally, there are two types of exfoliation, which implies there are two types of facials which include ”Physical Exfoliation” and “Chemical Exfoliation”.

Chemical exfoliation as the name suggests uses chemicals as peeling agents and physical exfoliation on the other hand uses microdermabrasion. You can choose either, or even alternate between both. What is constant is that if you follow a routine of these, no matter how or which treatment you take; you will get a better feeling and looking skin at the end of it.

Getting it done regularly helps you to maintain the skin’s health and appearance which will help it breathe better and look younger. Skin aging will slow down as you will see lesser wrinkles, spots, or fine lines.

If we look back, we will realize that facials have been used by literally our grandmothers also, just that their methods would be different. They would talk about some homemade face packs, some hot or cold water treatments, and others. But with changing times and technology, we now have specialized solutions to help our skin look the best it can.

Facials of the modern day are not just medically proven but also clinically tested. They are amazing for your skin and make it smooth, bright, and glowing. In fact, mentally also, they are a very soothing process and very good self-care activity.

The only thing that needs to be kept in mind is making sure you pick the right product and the right practitioner. So that you do not experience any harsh after-effects on your skin, as some products or ingredients might be harmful and they might make your skin irritable, itchy, and red.

Guest Author: Saket Kumar

Last Updated on May 27, 2024 by Pragya