Why are facials necessary? Can the treatment be performed at home by anyone? Actually, there are many techniques in an Eminence Organic Skin Care facial that go far beyond simple cleansing. Incorporating massage, specialized treatments and extractions are just some of the benefits of a spa facial. Learn what is a facial, including four reasons why you should book spa treatments regularly.

What Is A Facial? | Steps In A Treatment | Why Do I Need A Spa Facial? | Difference Between Professional & DIY Facial | How Often Should You Get A Facial?

What is a Facial?

Let’s start out with an obvious question: What is a facial anyway? A facial is a multi-step treatment completed by an esthetician that supercharges your skin care. We asked our Product Support Team to define the process:

“A facial can be a number of things. It can be a deep cleansing pore refining treatment, an anti-aging treat or an hour of relaxation to pamper yourself. It can be a customized skin care treatment to address the individual’s skin concerns, and range from a 20-30 minute peel or express facial to a more luxurious 90-minute treatment.”

Our Product Support Representatives also add:

“The facial itself includes several steps to treat the skin. A facial includes a consultation, usually at the beginning, to fill out any necessary forms and to find out a bit more about your skin, health and any medications you might be taking that could affect the skin. Cleansing, toning, exfoliating, masks, moisturizers and serums are a few things you can expect from a basic facial. Eminence facials can incorporate our Hungarian massage techniques, promoting circulation to leave the skin with a clear, glowing complexion.”

Steps In A Facial Treatment

You can expect nine or more steps in a professional facial. Building on this explanation, your facial is likely to include:

1. Assessment: The esthetician learns about your current skin care routine and any concerns you have.
2. Cleansing: The esthetician removes any makeup and surface buildup with a cleansing product such as a cleansing gel, oil or water. 
3. Skin analysis: The esthetician takes a close look at your complexion, often using magnification, to identify your skin’s current state.
4. Steaming: The esthetician often incorporates steam to soften pore congestion and assist with extractions, should you need them.
5. Exfoliating: The esthetician applies an exfoliating treatment to remove the buildup of dead skin cells. Typically, this treatment will be of a higher concentration than the exfoliants you use at home.
6. Extraction: The esthetician performs extractions if needed, clearing away blackheads and whiteheads. Estheticians working at an authorized Eminence Organic Skin Care spa may choose to use the Charcoal & Black Seed Pro Desincrustation Gel. Desincrustation is a deep cleansing treatment that softens and emulsifies sebum and keratin in the follicle. It is an ideal treatment for oily or congested skin requiring extractions.
7. Facial massage: To relax the facial muscles and assist the skin with absorbing further products, the esthetician massages the face gently but thoroughly.
8. Masking: One or more face masks are applied, each of which is carefully selected based on your skin assessment and analysis.
9. Finishing: The esthetician completes the treatment with the appropriate finishing steps including toner, serums, moisturizers, eye care and SPF to condition and protect your skin from environmental stressors.

You will find that the esthetician will adjust these steps depending on your skin type or concerns. For example, should you be a sensitive skin type, they may not use steam. If clogged pores are not an issue, your esthetician may not perform extractions. If you have concerns about any step during a facial, don’t hesitate to ask the esthetician to explain their process.

Why Do I Need A Facial?

A facial is the best way to ensure you see the long-term results you want in your skin. Our Product Support Team says: “Estheticians, also called skin therapists, can teach you how to care for your skin properly. The practice of esthetics covers a variety of different techniques and treatments, one of which includes providing facials and caring for the health of the skin.” To simplify why this all matters, we’ve broken it down into four key benefits.

1. Get A Thorough Cleaning

Dermatologists liken spa facials to visits with your dentist. Sure, you brush and floss daily, but you still get your teeth professionally cleaned. In the same way, regular spa treatments are an essential complement to your daily skin care routine. Professional facials, especially acne facials, take the state of your complexion to the next level. Many skin conditions require continuous care, and the effectiveness of home skin care needs to be boosted with regular spa treatments. Together, at-home and in-spa treatments produce successful results, better and faster. 

2. Hire A Pro Extractor

One of the biggest no-nos for problem skin is picking at your pimples. Every time you squeeze or touch a blemish, you’re at risk for scarring and dark marks. You can cause more harm than good by spreading bacteria across your skin, ultimately leading to more pimples. This isn’t to say that extractions are not effective, but that they can only be safely performed by a professional. A huge benefit to spa facials is that a professional can extract your blackheads and pustules properly, in a sterile environment. As mentioned earlier, if you visit your nearest Eminence Organics spa, an esthetician is likely to use the professional-only Charcoal & Black Seed Pro Desincrustation Gel to decongest clogged pores. This gel is designed to soften and emulsify sebum and keratin in the follicle to provide a deep clean of congested pores and prepare the skin for extractions.

3. Ask For An Expert Opinion

While it isn’t difficult to get a general idea of your skin type, decoding your skin concerns and conditions can make things tricky. With constant changes due to seasons, diet, age and even weather, it’s reassuring to get professional advice regularly. For example, is your skin really dry or is it dehydrated? While dry skin is a type requiring more moisturizing oils to combat, dehydration is a condition requiring more water-based moisturizers to correct. With similar signs and symptoms, it can be tricky to sort out what you are dealing with, but this is exactly what an esthetician is trained to help with. During the consultation, your esthetician will be able to diagnose your skin and develop treatments specifically catered to you.

4. Relax And Unwind

Let’s be honest. One of the best reasons for getting a facial is the soothing spa experience. Facial massages, hot towels and the beautiful aroma of Eminence Organics products? What more can you ask for? And since stress always plays a factor on the condition of your skin, we say: Turn up the dial on your chill-out time. A contributing factor to wrinkles, acne and lack of luminosity, stress can impact your complexion. By creating a relaxing environment for your professional facial, your treatment will leave you glowing from the inside out.

What Is The Difference Between A Professional And A DIY Facial?

We know what you’re thinking — but why can’t I DIY this experience? Light some candles, take extra time applying my favorite Eminence Organics mask, how is it really that different? The difference is twofold and both boil down to safety. One: With a professional facial, you are securing treatments that work deeper and are more potent than what you can use safely at home. Two: Treatments are applied with techniques and practices by a trained professional. There is no way to recreate the results of a professional facial at home because you simply cannot safely perform the exfoliation, massage and extractions that an esthetician can — without running the risk of damaging your skin.

The last thing we want is for anyone to inadvertently damage their skin. Even if you avoid the DIY masks and face scrubs known to irritate, it is just as important to avoid certain techniques. This is why we are proud to offer high-quality, concentrated home care products that beautifully complement our more vigorous professional-only treatments. Used together, we promise your Eminence home care routine will extend the life of your professional facial, allowing you to reach your skin care goals. 

How often should you get a spa facial?

The general recommendation for the frequency of a spa facial is around every three or four weeks, or once a month. But this really depends on the skin concern that you're treating and your age. Your esthetician should be able to provide you with a customized recommendation based on your skin. For example, if you're in your 20s and have healthy skin, you may only need a facial once a month. But if you're the same age and you have a large number of clogged pores and blemishes, the esthetician may recommend a facial every two to three weeks.

To book a facial with an Eminence Organics Spa Partner, visit our Spa Locator to find the location nearest you.

This article was originally written in July 2015.