What's the Focus of a Facial?

Facials help to maintain the health of the skin and correct certain skin conditions through deep cleansing, massage, the use of masks and other products, and various treatment methods. But, the focus for providing a facial treatment, needs to be clarified.

There are four overall objectives in performing a facial treatment:

1. Balance the hydrolipidic film
2. Inhibit keratinization
3. Control the metabolism of the skin
4. Control conditions

Balance the Hydrolipidic Film

The hydrolipidic film is made up of water and sebum and protects the skin from becoming dehydrated. It is responsible for maintaining the flexibility of the skin. The goal of the skin therapist is to create a balance of oil and water by the use of correct products.

If the skin is oilier, the skin therapist uses water based products. If the skin is dehydrated and oil dry, the skin therapist uses oil based products.

Inhibit Keratinization

Keratinization occurs when the dead skin cells remain dormant and lifeless on the surfaces of the skin. Through means of exfoliation the buildup of these skin cells, oil, and debris on the surface of the skin is inhibited resulting in a fresher, healthier look.

The skin functions better when this is maintained and can be accomplished by the skin therapist using either topical peeling agents, enzymes, scrubbing or microdermabrasion.

Control the Metabolism of the Skin

Controlling the metabolism of the skin can be done with either a stimulation process or a sedation process. When the goal is to minimize the appearance of sluggishness, congestion, blackheads, and milia by methods of stimulation the skin therapist applies steam, heat, or massage. When the goal is to minimize the appearance of irritation by methods of sedation the skin therapist will applied cold packs, or masks.

Effective stimulation helps the skin by supplying increased amounts of nutrients to the skin, inhibiting the degeneration of collagen and elastin fibers, and slowing the reproductive abilities of the cells in general. Stimulation is the key to an effective skin care program.

Some examples of stimulation's methods:

Chemical/Acid Peels, Topicals with Low pH, Warm towels, Steam,
High Frequency, Microdermabrasion, Electronic Stimulators, Massage

Sedation slows down the rush of blood flow to the skin which results in a non-irritated state.

Some examples of sedation methods:

Cool towels, Ice packs, Soothing Masks, Soothing Topicals, Vascular Lasers

Correct Conditions

After making an effective skin analysis and determining what condition is present, associate the condition with either being stimulated or sedated. Help to correct the specific condition(s) within the skin by various methods of stimulation or sedation techniques or the use of topical products.

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Skin therapists have many tools in which they can affect the outer most layers of the skin, as well as, the internal mechanisms within the tissue to minimize certain skin conditions and achieve healthier skin.