Facials
(previously published in The Experts Magazine)

When done on a regular basis, they can greatly improve the skin.

Facials can be corrective to help alleviate skin conditions such as acne, blackheads, oily skin etc. and they can be preventative to help keep the skin from premature aging. My favorite part of a facial is the massage. Some of the benefits of regular facial massage are:

• Stimulation of muscles and nerves
• Increase in circulation, thus increasing nutrients to the skin cells and increasing removal of wastes form the skin.
• Improvement in muscle tone
• Reduction in adipose or fatty tissue giving skin a firmer texture.
• Normalize the metabolism of skin glands.
• Relax, relax, relax (see why I like it)

The frequency of facial massage depends on the condition of the skin, the age of the client and the problem(s) to be treated. As a general rule, normal skin can be kept in excellent condition with a facial once or twice a month.

A basic facial will usually consist of:

• Making the client comfortable, protection of clothes, etc.
• Cleansing the skin to remove makeup etc.
• Analysis of skin to determine products and procedures to use. For example mature skin benefits from facial massage, while an acne condition should not usually be massaged.
• Steaming of the face to help:
  • Open up the follicles and allow a deeper cleansing of dirt, blackheads and other debris.
  • Soften the dead surface cells to aid their removal.
  • Stimulate oil glands.
  • Aid sweat glands to get rid of toxins.
  • Increase circulation to nourish tissues.
  • Leave skin soft and client relaxed.
• Facial massage can then be done if appropriate for the skin type.
• Exfoliation may be done at this time. At Masters School of Hair Design, our seaweed exfoliator will slough off dead skin and allow the underlying, new skin to show. This is especially beneficial to mature skin as it is thought to assist in forcing the cells to regenerate at a faster rate.
• A mask or pack is often done. We use a mud mask originally from the famous spas in Hungary. This mud treatment detoxifies and revitalizes the skin and gradually brings debris from blackheads and clogged pores to the surface to be easily removed. It is excellent for all skin types and conditions ranging from mature and dehydrated skin to acne.
• Cleansing, toning, and moisturizing is the final step. We use perfume-free, hypoallergenic products to protect, hydrate and soothe the skin.

After all this pampering, you will both look and feel like a million.