How to get the most out of your facial

 How to get the most out of your facial

A facial is a treat and something to look forward to.  Here are some tips to get the most out of your service.

• Dress casual and comfy, slip on shoes  like flip flops are recommended, so that getting dressed and undressed is easy and quick. 
• A good aesthetician will have you fill out a health history on your first visit. If they have a website look for this form and fill it out prior to arriving, or arrive early to appointment and fill it out there. This allows more time to for "hands on".
• Remember, you skin care professional runs by appointments so arrive a little early to take care of necessary tasks prior to treatment and get the fully allotted service time for your appointment.  You don't want to feel rushed or stressed, it's all about taking care of your skin and relaxing. 
• Arrive with no make up if possible, this allows your aesthetician to spend more time pampering and less time removing make up.
• Discuss any health concerns like allergies, medical issues, sore spots etc that may be affected when getting your facial.  Most facials include some types of massage, be sure and let you aesthetician know if you have any injuries or sensitive areas. Be sure to disclose your medical history in case there are any contraindications.
• Use the restroom before getting started so that nothing distracts you from that relaxing experience you have been waiting for!
• You will undress from the waist up, and feel free to disrobe to you level of comfort.  Most facials include work on your neck, arms shoulders, hands and decollete area.  
• Remember it's all about relaxing and being comfortable.  Ask to ad or remove blankets to make sure the temperature is right for you.
• Most service providers tend to work quietly advising you of necessary information as needed. If you need to address something or ask a question during treatment feel free to do so. 
• Try to schedule your appointment on a day that you can relax and go without make up for the rest of the day.  Although it doesn't "hurt" your face to apply make up after, the effects of the facial can be enjoyed a little longer and the serums etc that are applied can have the benefit of penetrating further into the skin.  
• Plan treatments in advance if you have an upcoming event that you are trying to look your best for.
• You may have some inflammation after the facial due to extractions. This is normal and will dissipate after a couple of days.  Let your aesthetician know if you have a special event that you are working around so that they can make sure look your best and make necessary changes if needed.
• You may experience some activity in the form of a break out after a facial.  This is typically not excessive and a facial does not "cause" a break out.  A Pimple doesn't form instantaneously and in most cases takes about a month to form, so it was there long before your facial.  Skin care treatments can accelerate the skin's purging process, that is why you may see this activity.
• If you have acne prone skin and have lots of extractions it's ok to take some pain reliever like a Tylenol product prior to and after as need. Follow directions on the bottle.  Avoid aspirin or anti inflammatory type pain meds (such as ibuprofen) as they can increase bleeding and bruising.
• Leave your jewelry at home.  Remove all facial piercings, ear rings, necklaces, bracelets and rings.  They can interfere with your service and you don't want to have to worry about losing anything. 
• If you like something that your aesthetician is using on your skin, ask if it's available for retail purchase.  A credible aesthetician uses and retails only professional pharmaceutical (aka cosme-ceutical) grade products.  These products are only available from licensed professionals and Dr.'s offices and they are regulated by the FDA. The difference between these products and any thing you may purchase over the counter (from anywhere from a drug store, to the highest priced department store brands) is that they  have active ingredients that penetrate into the live tissue of your skin and can create change. OTC brands (by law) can't penetrate past the topical dead skin cell layer.   Part of having great skin is taking care of it at home and your aesthetician will be happy to recommend a home care regimen for you.
• Schedule monthly.  You skin cells turn over on a monthly basis and it's great to keep up with that change by tending to the removal of dead skin cells and nurturing the fresh new cells.