Skincare and Facials

To the uninitiated, the world of facial skin care is a minefield of confusing terminology, quasi-scientific names and, sometimes, painful sounding procedures. Don't be put off! A skincare treatment at a beauty salon can be a wonderful experience. Let us guide you through the process so you know what to expect when you book yourself in for an hour or two of pampering beauty therapy at a day spa.

Which Spa And Which Products? The first thing to be aware of is that wherever you go for your facial, the spa you choose will promote a particular range of skin products that it believes are the best on the market. The bigger chains of day spas are often owned or franchised by major cosmetic companies, which means that you know whose beauty products they will tout before you even walk through the door. If you use a certain brand of moisturizer or toner regularly, it makes sense to search out a spa retreat that uses the products you know and trust. After all, the big companies put huge amounts of money into developing and testing their cosmetic ranges. However, if you are either new to beauty therapies, or simply fancy a change, there are plenty of independent day spas to try out and they may stock skincare products that you haven't tried before. One advantage of going with a spa that is not owned by a major brand is that the management will have selected the products they stock based purely on results and whether or not their clients like them, so you may find a fabulous array of creams and lotions that you wouldn't have come across otherwise.

What's With All The Weird Ingredients? The beauty industry is worth billions of dollars a year and so cosmetic companies are constantly bringing out new products, which they claim have the edge over their competitors. One result of this is the baffling names of some skincare products - scientific formulas, obscure berry extracts from the Brazilian rainforest, the promise of wholly 'organic' and natural skincare ranges and the allure of aromatherapy- these are just some of the ways in which cosmetic businesses try to out do one another. Don't be scared off. Talk to the beauty therapists at your day spa and ask which products and treatments they use and why. If you're unsure what is in an exfoliant or facemask, ask.

Which Treatment Is Right For You? Before you commit to a specific facial treatment, the beauty therapist at the spa should assess your skin. This is often done by inspecting your face under a special light, asking you questions about your beauty routine and any problems you might have and feeling your skin. Once this process has been completed, you and your practitioner should discuss which kind of facial is best for you. If you are troubled by blackheads you may suit a deep cleansing facial, whilst if you suffer from acne, some type of fruit peel may be recommended. Perhaps you have oily skin that needs balancing or dry skin that needs hydrating. Maybe you want to fight the effects of aging and are looking for skin rejuvenation and anti wrinkle treatment. Or it could be that you just want to de-stress and relax for an hour or so. Whatever your reason for seeking professional skincare, the staff at the spa should be able to give you expert guidance.

What To Expect From A Treatment. Whichever facial you choose, the process should follow certain basic steps, though the order may vary and additional stages may be added, depending on the beauty salon and the treatment. Your face should be thoroughly cleaned with a good cleanser and dead skin cells removed by gentle exfoliation. A facemask should be selected that compliments your skin type and your skin should be refreshed with a suitable toner. Finally, a luscious moisturiser should be applied to your face. Often a facial will include a face, head or neck and shoulder massage. If you're lucky, the spa your visit will give you all three. Whatever form your treatment takes, you should leave feeling relaxed, glowing and full of well-being. Wonderful!

Follow Up. After your facial, your beauty therapist should be able to advise you on which products might be suitable for your continued use from the spa's range and suggest possible follow up treatments, if you wish to spoil your self again. Regular visits to a day spa may seem like an extravagance, but the results of regular facials can be amazing and well worth the expense.

Facial Benefits For Everyone. Believe me, lying there in the tranquil surrounds of a day spa; inhaling soothing aromatherapy oils whilst a skilled beautician strokes and soothes your face is a fabulous indulgence that everyone should try. And not just women. More and more men are discovering the joys of spa treatments, and it is often the pull of a good skin treatment that gets them over the threshold in the first place. So why not treat your man to a facial at a day spa for his birthday or next Valentine's Day? It makes a wonderful gift!