Today, women from across the country rush to their local skin professionals for their bi-weekly or monthly facial. From removing those pesky blackheads to supporting an anti-aging regime and even providing some much needed time to sit back and relax, the well-known facial can do it all! But, while the pampering bonuses are clear, why do more than 15 million Americans have multiple facials every year? What is a facial and does this form of treatment truly work wonders on the skin? Here, we’re going to tell you everything you need to know about getting facials, how long they take, how much they cost, their advantages, and more! More helpful reading: Facial Definition & Meaning: What Does Facial Treatment Mean What Is a Facial? So what does a facial do? Well, facials have evolved significantly over the past few decades. This once basic form of treatment now comes in all shapes and sizes, helping you to deal with and prevent a huge variety of skin problems. From aging skin to reducing acne and acne scarring, helping with hyperpigmentation, and providing deep hydration, you’ll be sure to find a treatment that can help you. Facials include various stages to promote a clearer, hydrated appearance that leaves you with a more youthful and radiant complexion. Better yet, your esthetician will give you advice on how to best care for your dermis. In fact, they may even create a personalized skincare program for you to follow between treatments depending on your individual needs. What Happens During a Facial All facials start with an initial appointment with an esthetician. During this consultation, they will examine your dermis. This is also your chance to talk to them about any underlying skin concerns you’re struggling with. Your esthetician will then choose the right products for your skin type and condition. Next, you’ll be given a comfy robe, a cup of your favorite hot or cold beverage, and an opportunity to sit back and relax. But, what does a facial consist of? Let’s take a closer look at some of the steps you can expect: Cleansing Your esthetician will start by cleansing your dermis. They will apply a cleanser to remove any dirt, makeup, or other products that you have on your face, neck, and decolletage. They’ll then remove the cleanser with a facial sponge, cotton pad, or cloth in order to dry your face and perform a full evaluation of your skin. More helpful reading: Skin detox. Steaming With the help of a machine, your esthetician will direct steam to your face in order to relax your pores. This steam will make it easier for them to extract blackheads, whiteheads, and any other stubborn dirt stuck in your pores. Exfoliating During the exfoliation process, your esthetician will use a scrub or exfoliating cream with ingredients such as glycolic acid to remove the dead skin cells. Some skincare professionals opt for chemical exfoliants that contain acids and enzymes capable of loosening the dead skin cells. Others opt for mechanical exfoliants that have a gritty texture to rub away the dead skin cells. Extractions Extractions are probably the most uncomfortable part of any facial. Yes, some stages of these treatments can be less relaxing than others! This step involves the removal of white and blackheads. If you have a thin dermis with few blemishes, you may opt-out of this step of the skin treatment. Make sure to voice any concerns you have regarding the process with your esthetician before you get started. A Facial Massage People hold a lot of tension around the jaw. From stress to spending too much time in front of our screens, tension in the face can cause all sorts of issues including head and jaw aches. And, what better way to melt away tension than with a massage? The facial massage will be one of the most relaxing elements of your facial treatment. This form of massage will help you unwind during your facial. Plus, depending on their experience and training, your esthetician may use new massage tools and techniques, making your experience that little bit more special! But, its advantages go far beyond calm and relaxation. A facial massage can actually stimulate your muscles and dermis, addressing sagging, dull-looking skin, and leaving you with a beautiful, youthful complexion. A Face Mask The face mask your esthetician will choose will depend entirely on your skin type and condition. At Taut, we believe good face masks should be a crucial part of every women’s beauty regime which is why we created our Taut Collagen Mask. Designed to tone, hydrate, and brighten your skin, our collagen peptide infused mask is formulated to target dull-looking, dehydrated, and sagging skin. In just 15 to 20 minutes, this collagen product can provide you with red carpet radiance and a rejuvenated appearance. What makes our mask unique is that we use only the highest quality, natural ingredients. The inclusion of hydrolyzed marine collagen broken down into small molecules means it can penetrate deep into your pores, giving your dermis the instant collagen boost it deserves! We include hyaluronic acid sourced from plants in our formula. This magical ingredient known for its capabilities to hold a thousand times its weight in water will nourish your dermis, leaving it supple and luminous. Last but not least, we have included vitamin C which supports collagen production, and squalene from olives, a natural skin moisturizer, for an extra boost of goodness that your skin will thank you for! More helpful reading on crow's feet. Final Applications & Skincare Advice Before you leave the salon looking and feeling your best, your esthetician will apply the final touches. Again, the ingredients they apply will depend on the health of your dermis. However, you can typically expect them to apply a toner, serum, moisturizer, and various creams. They may also apply sunscreen depending on the time of day and your location. During this part of the facial treatment, they will also give you advice on how to better care for your complexion. They may recommend specific ingredients and brands. You have the choice to buy products from these brands or do your own research online when you get home. More helpful reading: https://www.renewalliance.com/blogs/i/vampire-facial How Long Does a Facial Take & How Often Should You Get One? In most cases, your esthetician will recommend you get a facial once a month. That said, this will depend on the treatment plan recommended and the type of facial you’re getting. Booking your facial with the seasons will help your dermis adapt to changing temperatures and climates. The key is to listen to your skincare professional’s advice and to not overdo it. If you have too many facials, you may end up with irritated skin. How Much Does a Facial Cost? A facial is one of those things that just doesn't have a set price tag! The price of a facial is based on the type of treatment you get. Microdermabrasions and peels cost more than traditional, basic facials. Also, the price of your treatment will depend on the place you go to. Remember, a facial at one of LA’s best spas will cost significantly more than one from your local salon. The Different Types of Facials & Their Benefits Different types of facials adopt different techniques to provide a variety of benefits. Some of the most common treatments and their advantages include: Classic Facials: Help maintain a healthy dermis Lymphatic Massage Facials: Reduce puffiness and increases circulation Galvanic Facials: Stimulate the muscles and are considered to act like a non-surgical facelift Microdermabrasion: Promotes cell turnover as well as elastin and collagen formation LED Facials: Treat various skin issues with different light wavelengths Hydrafacial: Cleanses the outer layers of the dermis to suck out dirt and grime Chemical Peel: Promotes skin turnover by using science-backed chemicals and can help with age spot removal Oxygen Facials: Infuse antioxidants into the dermis with the help of oxygen Microneedling: Promotes collagen and skin turnover by using tiny needles These are just some of the many spa facials available today. Different salons and spa services offer different alternatives and your esthetician will give you advice for choosing the best one to help you achieve your individual beauty goals. How to Prepare for Your First Facial The key to achieving the best results from your facial is to know which products you’ve been using and have a list of your main skin concerns. You should also avoid using harsh exfoliants for three to seven days prior to your facial to avoid any irritation. Getting a facial for a big event? Whatever you do, don’t book your facial for the day before! Booking it for at least a few days prior will ensure your skin tone looks its best for your big day. How to Make Your Results Last Would you buy a $300 dress and chuck it on the floor as soon as you get home? Didn’t think so! When you get a facial, maintain the results by sticking to the skin care routine your esthetician created for you. Always opt for high-quality products and make sure to wash them off every day before bed so that your dermis has the chance to breathe. Additionally, choose your products, including your cleansers, creams, and moisturizers, according to your skin type, condition, and the season. More helpful reading by Renew Alliance: Best essential oils for face. When to Avoid a Facial A facial isn't the best option for everyone! That’s right, for some, a facial can do more harm than good, so it’s essential that you speak to your dermatologist, doctor, or aesthetician if you have a specific condition that could interfere with the ingredients or process used during facial treatments. During the summer, avoid chemical peels. These remove the top layer of your dermis and can make you extremely vulnerable when exposed to UV rays. People with acne-prone skin should also pay special attention to their dermatologist's advice to avoid chemicals or ingredients that could further irritate their skin. Jumpstart Your Skin Care Journey With Taut Your skin and face can tell you a lot about your overall health. And, if you didn’t already know this, healthy skin starts from within. This is why we created Taut Premium Collagen Intense Transformation. Designed to help you jumpstart and boost your collagen production, Intense Transformation is a powerful and effective program with potent anti-aging effects that will transform your complexion within just 21 days. Preservative and gluten-free, and sweetened with stevia, Taut Premium Collagen Advanced provides a huge 1,300mg dose of high potency, marine hydrolyzed collagen with nano-sized molecules sourced from Red Snapper caught in the Indian ocean. This combined with 30mg of elastin peptides, also sourced from Red Snapper, supports skin synthesis, elastin, and fibers, helping your skin fight against the first signs of aging! Our formula doesn’t stop there. Offering a 10mg serving of hyaluronic acid, the formula improves skin moisture and suppleness. You’ll also enjoy an optimal dose of vit C to further stimulate collagen production as well as a blend of skin health-boosting ingredients including grape seed extract, DNA, ceramide, and vitamin B6. Ready to take your skin care routine to the next level? Contact our team today to find out more about how our products can help you on your way to achieving your esthetic dreams!