The skincare world can seem confusing and intimidating. Luckily, estheticians are here to help!
Facials at medical spas like Skinsanity can help free the skin from dull, dead cells for a brighter surface and clear congested pores by performing extractions, soothing skin conditions like rosacea, and even providing anti-aging and hydration benefits. To help beginners navigate this beauty staple, we spoke to experts on the most popular facial treatments for beautiful skin.
Microdermabrasion
Microdermabrasion is a non-invasive, non-chemical facial resurfacing procedure that helps lighten skin tone, and remove scars from acne and stretch marks by gently removing dead skin cells. It can help lessen the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines, and pore expansion.
Tiny crystals are sprayed onto the skin during crystal microdermabrasion, causing the surface to rub off. Your face is left pristine and clean when the crystals and dead skin are removed using a suction. Hydra dermabrasion is a more recent form of microdermabrasion that exfoliates the skin without using crystals by using water and oxygen.
After microdermabrasion, it’s crucial to use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30 and to follow a mild skincare regimen. Your face can feel flaky and dry for one or two days, but this should pass fast.
Oxygen Facial
During an oxygen facial, a machine sprays your face and neck with oxygen infused with anti-aging and other serums. This therapy is said to moisturize, lessen the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and promote collagen formation. Fans of it include celebrities like Madonna, who uses it religiously for her perfect, radiant complexion.
Although there is no scientific backing for this claim, anecdotal evidence shows that people who get these facials often have healthier-looking skin. It is also believed that oxygen facials help your pores absorb hyaluronic acid and other powerhouse ingredients in serums, which leads to additional radiance.
One benefit of this non-invasive process is that it lets you put makeup on immediately. Usually, the procedure takes thirty to sixty minutes.
Chemical Peel
Chemical peels can treat various skin issues, including acne scarring, hyperpigmentation, and uneven skin tone. They also improve the results of other facial treatments, such as microneedling and laser resurfacing.
Your face will be treated with a chemical solution by your doctor during a chemical peel. Different types of peels employ different chemicals, including as alpha hydroxy acids (glycolic acid, citric acid, and lactic acid) and beta hydroxy acids (salicylic acid). The chemical solution will cause controlled harm to the skin by penetrating it at various levels.
A light peel removes only the epidermis, the outermost layer of the skin. A medium peel removes the epidermis and the upper part of the middle skin layer. Deep chemical peels remove the epidermis and the middle and lower layers of the skin using trichloroacetic acid (TCA) or other chemicals.
Microneedling
Microneedling is the buzzy skin treatment that’s been making waves on YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram. It involves getting a numbing cream smoothed on your face before a healthcare professional moves a roller or electric device with tiny needles over the face. They can vary the length of the needles to target specific areas.
The small wounds the needles create stimulate collagen production, reducing fine lines and wrinkles, fading sun spots, reducing hyperpigmentation (dark patches due to excess melanin), smoothing pockmark scarring, and shrinking pores. In addition, it lessens redness and blotchiness and helps to lighten the skin tone.
However, frequent microneedling can lead to broken capillaries and a plastic-looking appearance.
HydraFacial
A HydraFacial is a patented, medical-grade facial that works with the skin rather than against it. It is gentler than microdermabrasion or chemical peels and uses a hydrating tip instead of a resurfacing one, so it is suitable for all skin types. The treatment includes cleansing, exfoliating, and infusing the skin with hydrating serums. The treatment feels like a gentle, gentle massage; some patients say it is almost painless.
Skin tone may be evened out, radiance can be increased, fine lines and wrinkles can look less noticeable, and skin texture can be improved. Maintaining skin health before a special event or as a regular facial treatment is an excellent option. The hydrafacial is also non-invasive, and there is no downtime required afterward. It is safe for most people but should not be performed on anyone with active rosacea or sunburn.