If you have ever thought about visiting a day spa, you have probably heard about facials. Okay, it has something to do with your face, right? That’s about all I knew before I went for my first facial.
A facial is a treatment that deeply cleanses the skin of your face. Dry, dead skin cells will be scrubbed away. Blackheads and other impurities will be extracted. The goal of a facial is to help you maintain smooth, clear, hydrated, healthy skin. You may not be surprised to hear that a facial is the second most popular spa service — right behind massage.
A licensed esthetician will give you a facial. They are specially trained in skin care, and will select and apply products that are targeted to your specific skin type. Your skin may be normal, dry, oily, or a combination of the three. You may have sensitive skin (I do!) or mature skin.
A traditional European facial — the “basic” facial — starts with a thorough cleansing. Your skin will be analyzed and gently exfoliated. Between treatments, your esthetician may provide other services like hand, foot, or scalp massage. After you skin has been cleaned and hydrated, blackheads and other impurities will be extracted. This part of the facial may be a little uncomfortable, depending on the sensitivity of your skin.
If at any time you are uncomfortable or unhappy during your facial, don’t be afraid to speak up. Keep in mind that the esthetician is there to serve YOU. Don’t suffer in silence — it doesn’t benefit you to waste money on a treatment you enjoy and it doesn’t benefit the esthetician, as they lose you as a customer.
The price of a facial varies. Resort and hotel spas tend to be more expensive than other day spas. Adding special treatments to your facial may also make the price go higher. An aromatherapy facial includes the use of essential oils. An age-defying facial may include Vitamin C. Go for an oxygen facial and enjoy a mist of pure oxygen as part of the treatment. You can expect to pay at least $70.00 for a traditional European facial. Keep in mind that this price does not include tax or tip; if you enjoy your facial, you should be sure to tip your esthetician fifteen or twenty percent.