Are Facials Safe For You?

Facials are skin care treatments for the face. They include treatments such as exfoliation, steaming, extraction, peels, masks, massages and more. They are often performed in beauty salons and spa treatment centers. The goal is to stimulate the skin by working out muscles in the face. This also helps to promote collagen production (a building block of the skin), reduce fine lines, and age spots, and relieve dry skin. Facials can even help people with specific problems such as acne. Spas often use products designed to unclog pores, detoxify the skin, and penetrate the skin to help the skin’s ability to retain hydration. The circulation of blood under the skin facilitates the renewal of skin cells, so facials are generally deemed good for you. But here are some “catches.”

1. Talk to your dermatologist before scheduling an appointment to see what type of facial is appropriate for your skin and which treatments are safest. Additionally, discuss your COVID risk with your doctor to see if it is safe for you to receive a facial.
2. Understand the difference between aesthetician and estheticians. While both are licensed professionals, the first typically performs medical skin procedures such as chemical exfoliation, whereas the latter does cosmetic and clean procedures and facials.
3. Understand that spa treatments are limited. Should you wish to have advanced skin treatments, seek a medical facial administered by an aesthetician. The effects of medical facials are generally more long lasting than a general spa treatment. Note that while treatments at a spa are generally effective, they are not likely as medically strong as treatments by a doctor.
4. Before booking your appointment, ask questions and learn about sanitation, cleanliness, and which products are to be used on your skin. Both medical and non-medical spas should be willing to address questions and provide satisfactory responses.
5. Do your homework.  Always check out the credentials of anyone you use and the facility. In addition, research the type of facial you are receiving. While most are safe, some products or procedures may cause minor irritation or redness that is temporary. However, should you encounter a medical problem, such as an allergic reaction to a product used, do seek professional medical advice.
6. Some spas perform acne extraction, which is a way to get rid of blackheads and whiteheads. However, before having that done, talk to your dermatologist to make sure it’s safe for you. Your dermatologist may prefer to treat issues with your skin directly rather than having you treated at a spa. Don’t attempt to pop pimples yourself as this can force debris from the pore deeper into the follicle and spill infected material into the lower layer of the skin. It can also spread infection and worsen acne. Leave that to a medical professional.

Facials can be part of a great skin care routine when done properly and with safe products. Not only do many people find them relaxing, but it is generally beneficial to have the skin deep cleaned to remove dead skin, detoxified, and hydrated and treated to slow the aging process. It can also leave the skin feeling rejuvenated and significantly improved.

This article is not intended as medical advice. It is purely informational.