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Facts about your facials.
Photo courtesy of claires/Shutterstock.com.

A facial is important to prevent and treat skin problems, especially during the change in seasons. While necessary for healthy skin, the service can be expensive, so it is imperative to take certain steps to ensure that you are getting the most out of your treatment. Angela Spicer, lead aesthetician at The Still Point Spa, and Jessica Mapes, master aesthetician at Bluemercury Arlington, tell us how to optimize the benefits before, during and after your next facial.

 

Before your Facial
• Focus on your diet one to two weeks beforehand; diet and skin care are connected. Cut down on sugar and drink a lot of water to reduce skin flare-ups. Spicer suggests drinking a large glass of water with lemon every morning for an internal cleanse.

• Avoid irritating skin by staying away from sun rays, tanning beds and harsh exfoliants.

During your Facial
• Clients should aim for a facial once a month. If that is not doable, try to get one at the start of each season.

• A customized facial is crucial because each person’s skin concerns are different. Make sure your aesthetician does a thorough analysis of the skin at the start of the facial to know what products will best treat your skin.

After your Facial 
• Ask your aesthetician to recommend products to maintain your results post-facial. Mapes suggests a gentle daily cleanser like Darphin’s Intral Cleansing Milk and a gentle exfoliator like m-61’s Power Glow Peel followed by a hydrating serum like SkinCeuticals Hydrating B5 Gel.

• Avoid hot showers or baths because they can severely dry out skin.

• Use a face mask once or twice a week to keep skin conditioned and toned between facials. Spicer recommends exfoliating followed by a mask suited for your skin type. Sensitive skin requires a mask designed to calm and hydrate, while those with oily skin should opt for a clay-based mask.

Middle Ground

(March 2015)