We all know that facials feel good and make you look good, but do you know how important they really are for the well-being of our skin?
Many people believe that facials are a way to pamper or treat themselves once in a while, but what they don’t know is the vast amount of benefits that you receive for your skin’s well-being from receiving regular treatments. Benefits from facials include a brighter and more even complexion, smoother texture, hydration, and facial muscle tone, just to name a few. Regular treatments can help prevent pre-mature aging, clarifying the skin of blemishes and acne, and maintaining a youthful glow.
Proper cleansing and exfoliation is extremely important for our skin’s health. As we go on day to day, we do not realize how much our environment affects our skin. Pollution and free radicals from our surroundings can cause damage to our skin. That is why it is important that we cleanse our skin of debris morning AND night to ensure that we are getting all the dirt and make-up out of our pores. Exfoliation is the removal of dead skin cells from the outermost layer of our skin; the epidermis. Just by removing the dead skin build up, we will start to see a more radiant complexion. Exfoliation allows for our sebum production to function properly as it is not being stuck underneath all of the dead skin. Exfoliation also helps to provide an even complexion as well as texture of the skin. By removal of skin cells, we are kicking in our cell turnover rate and allowing for any following products applied to penetrate deeper and more effectively. Our skin cell turnover rate is typically about 28-48 days and this slows down as we age, so it is important to keep that cell metabolism running properly.
The best part of the facial is actually one of the most important steps in a treatment: the massage. Facial massages are important as they encourage detoxification and lymphatic drainage. This reduces any inflammation in the skin, or even swelling. Massaging the face can aid in the reduction of puffiness, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and creating a radiant glow. With proper facial massage, blood circulation and oxygen flow is increased. When we don’t pay attention to the muscles on our face for long periods of time, they become sluggish and lazy, resulting in sometimes a tired or “droopy” appearance. Facial massage helps to “awaken” the muscle and strengthen it for facial tone. This is especially important for those who want to prevent pre-mature aging and for those who would like a more youthful appearance as massage increases collagen production, which is the support system for keeping our skin firm and plump. As we age, our collagen and elastin levels deplete leaving lines and wrinkles.
HYDRATION and pH balance of the skin is KEY! Think of your skin as a sponge: when it is dry, it is useless. The dish soap will not penetrate properly, the sponge is dehydrated and hard. When you add water to the sponge, suddenly it is plump, the soap bubbles and becomes useful.
Our skin functions in a similar way. Dehydrated skin can appear rough in appearance, as well as feel rough in texture. It is important to maintain this hydration in order for your skin to appear plump, fill in fine lines/wrinkles, and absorb products properly. Overly dehydrated skin may become sensitized over time, causing it to become inflamed and sensitive. Keeping the skin properly hydrated keeps its natural barrier function running properly, which is our natural oils and lipids that we produce for natural protection. When your skin is stripped of these natural oils, it may over compensate on the production, causing a much more oily appearance and clogged pores/breakouts. By receiving regular facials, this ensures that the hydration is balanced and restored in our skin.
Sometimes when we are busy with our stressful lives, we forget to focus on our own well-being. Taking care of the skin is just as important as feeding our bodies with nutritional foods and water. Confidence in oneself is extremely important to maintaining a healthy mindset and it is important to love the skin we are in and take care of it, just as we maintain our hair and nails.
