1. Analysis – your skin will be evaluated for different skin conditions such as level of oil production, blackheads, and loss of elasticity. You should be told what conditions are found and what type of treatment you will be receiving. Also during this time, you may be asked about allergies and sensitivities you have had with products in the past.
2. Cleansing – a thorough wash of the skin. In most cases, it is a two-step process. a. Step one is usually a pre-cleanse, using a more gentle cleanser, that removes surface dirt. b. Step two is a more extensive cleanse that targets a specific issue that you may have.
3. Exfoliation – the exact definition of exfoliation, according to the Milady’s Standard, is “the peeling or sloughing of the outer layer of the skin.” What that means is the removal of excessive dirt and dead skin that keeps debris in the pores. Also, during this process, the debris trapped in the pore is softened for easy removal (see Extractions). There are two types of exfoliation: a. Mechanical – more traditionally known as a “scrub”, uses fine particles to buff the debris off the skin b. Chemical – uses products with penetrating ingredients to help digest the dead cells off the surface & dissolve the “glue” that holds these dead cells together. Usually called a “peel” or exfoliating mask.
4. Extraction – the removal of blackheads and oil from the pores by pressing and squeezing the fingers on either side of the pore and manually pushing the debris out. One of the only uncomfortable parts of the facial, but also one that gets the biggest results.
5. Massage – flowing and relaxing movements to the face and décolleté. Penetrating products can be used to further the therapeutic effects of the treatment. Many times, the shoulder and upper back will be included in the massage portion. If you suffer from acne, your massage will be limited since excessive pressure and rubbing can cause blemishes to “pop” and bacteria to spread.
6. Treatment Masks – product to be left on your skin for a period of time that is selected specifically to work on a skin condition that is present.
7. Toner – a spray or lotion applied to remove any remnants of product and prepare the skin for the moisturizing step
8. Moisturizer – the final step of the facial where the skin is re-hydrated and/or moisturized. If your appointment is during the day, a SPF should be included. An eye cream may be applied as well.

Yes. We should know if you are currently under a dermatologist or any doctor’s care, what medications you are currently taking and if you have any allergies. These three things can drastically alter the type of treatment you will receive and products that will be used. On your first visit, you should be given a questionnaire to complete; however, with each return visit, you should make sure you inform your esthetician of any changes.

A lot of clients think they need to wash their face, but it is better for the esthetician to feel the type of oil production that your skin has naturally. Make-up is easily removed; however, wearing multiple coats of mascara or waterproof eyeliner, if you know you will be receiving a facial, is not recommended.

The only thing that is important is that you arrive at your appointment on time, especially if it is your first visit to the spa. More than likely you will have to fill out an information form, regarding your health and skin conditions which will take time, and each spa allocates a certain length of time to get this done, get you changed, and on the facial table for the service. Arriving late will most likely shorten the length of the facial to ensure that the next appointment starts on time.

No one can tell you that you absolutely will not have a breakout after your appointment. If you are concerned or had a bad experience, let your esthetician know before she begins. It is important to be specific, though. Blanket statements, such as “I always breakout” or “I’ve never used a product that didn’t make me break out” or “I’ve had reactions to everything” will result in you having the most basic gentle treatment, with no extractions, possibly no steam and no treatment masks.
Try to remember at which spas you have had bad experiences and which product lines have given you issues. Most of the time, you will not have any issues and leave with skin that is glowing and healthy. However, if you do have a breakout, it shouldn’t be more than a blemish or two. If you develop multiple breakout areas or blemishes in areas that you usually don’t get them, let your Esthetician know so adjustments can be made.

If you have known allergies, especially ones to flowers, foods or drugs, make sure you disclose them to your esthetician before the service begins so that products with those ingredients will be eliminated. Often, I’ll have clients tell me that they have had an allergic reaction, but when I begin asking questions, I usually find that they had a breakout, which rarely represents an allergic reaction.
The most common symptoms of a product reaction are severe redness (possibly accompanied by hives) and an itching/burning sensation. Reactions, while rare, mostly happen at the time of the treatment. Your esthetician should remove the product immediately and start soothing your skin. Usually, you won’t have any or redness (or limited) by the end of the service. If the reaction begins after you leave the SPA, immediately wash your face to remove any remaining product on your skin. Cool packs can help ease any discomfort. If you develop hives or facial swelling or start experiencing a swelling of the tongue or tightness of the throat, this is a serious situation and you should seek medical attention immediately.

Absolutely, although you should let your esthetician know so the following can be avoided:
1. Aromatherapy
2. Products with large amounts of anti-acne and anti-aging products
3. Vigorous massage, especially on the hands and feet. These things are very stimulating and should be avoided, especially during the first trimester. If you are an “at risk” pregnancy or have any concerns, definitely speak with your doctor about it before booking the appointment.

There are very few things that can prohibit or “contraindicate” it all together, although some conditions will require special treatment of the skin. It is very important to disclose these conditions to your esthetician for both your safety and theirs.
1. Contagious Disease – anything that can be spread by physical contact, such as pink eye, impetigo, ringworm or warts will prevent you from receiving a service. The spreading, massaging motion can spread the condition to other parts of the face and body as well as possibly infect the esthetician.
2. Herpes – if lesions are present on the face, you will not be able to receive the service for the same reasons listed above. If lesions are not present, you should still notify your esthetician since strong procedures and products, such as peels, can stress the skin and cause an outbreak.
3. Cancer – clients undergoing chemotherapy or radiation will have highly sensitized skin and should refrain from having this service. Recently, some skin care companies have released product lines specifically for patients who have undergone recent chemotherapy treatments. If your spa uses one of these lines and your doctor approves, then enjoy, but check with the spa to see if a doctor’s release will be necessary. Extensive massage is not recommended regardless of product line used.
4. Certain medications – any medication, oral or topical, meant to control the amount of oil produced on your skin or exfoliate the skin, should be disclosed to your esthetician. Some medications, regardless of purpose, may interact with ingredients or can sensitize your skin. If your skin is too irritated, you may not be able to have the facial, but this is fairly rare.
5. Heart Conditions – any treatments that have an electrical component, such as galvanic current, should not be performed.
6. Cosmetic Procedures – ask your doctor if it is okay to get a facial before scheduling the appointment. During the consultation, let the esthetician know and indicate any areas of sensitivity. Highly potent products should not be placed over any recent scar tissue or wounds nor should any massage be performed.
7. Sunburn – applying product to sunburned skin is usually very uncomfortable and massage is nearly impossible. Unless the spa has developed a service meant to treat sunburn, it is not advised.

As long as there is no medical reason for you not to have a one, then you usually have nothing to worry about. Treatments with extensive exfoliation procedures, such as peels, can leave the skin red and extractions can leave you blotchy. Therefore, if you are the person-of-honor at an event, you may want to stay away from these facials the week prior. Hydrating & soothing services are more suitable. Also, these same types of procedures can leave the skin sensitized and highly susceptible to burning, so stick to less aggressive treatments if you are going to be spending a lot of time on the beach or in the sun. And remember you can never know for sure how you will react to new products and treatments. Starting a new product line or visiting a new spa too close to a big event could yield unhappy results. So as you start planning your wedding, start mapping out your skin care plan as well.

Sometimes picking the right service is as difficult as picking the right product. If in doubt, there should be a generic facial on the spa’s menu which will allow the esthetician to determine what treatment your skin should need. However, if you have specific concerns, use the following guide to terminology that will help you select a more specialized treatment:
1. Anti-Aging – if your focus is helping to soften wrinkles and improve sagging skin, then this will be the service for you. Also, it should help lessen sun damage/age spots. It will usually include a fairly aggressive exfoliation treatment and possibly even a peel, so topical medications, such as Retin-A should be discontinued at least 72 hours prior to the facial. A collagen or elastin ampoule or mask could be a part of it as well.
2. Brightening / Whitening – the goal is to even out skin tone and lessen sun damage/age spots. It will NOT “bleach” or lighten the skin (estheticians rarely have anything in their arsenal of products to do this). It probably will include an intensive exfoliation procedure and there should be a vitamin treatment, most important being Vitamin C. Bear in mind that sun damage and age spots take years to develop on the skin; therefore, don’t expect to see them disappear in one treatment. The change you should see it a glowing and brighter appearance.
3. Acne – unfortunately, acne is not just for teenagers anymore. Adult Acne is now on the rise and many find it more severe than when they were teenagers. Even people, who never had acne as children, are developing this frustrating condition. Look for products like Salicylic, Glycol or Lactic Acid peels/exfoliating products. Benzoyl Peroxide may also be used, but remember that this product can be highly irritating to the skin. A sulfur or charcoal mask is a good finishing touch to an acne treatment. Since medications to treat acne tend to be very strong, users of Actuate or any medical exfoliating products will probably not be able to receive an acne treatment. Also, if your skin is overly irritated/red then your esthetician may choose a soothing facial for you.
4. Soothing – because of outside stimulants, sensitive skin is on the rise. Soothing ingredients such as Rose Oil, Chamomile and Oatmeal should be included in any treatment for sensitive (or sensitized) skin. Also, there should be products that help rebuild and protect the skin like Green Tea, Allantoin and Vitamin E. If you have a lot of redness, products with Vitamin K help heal and strengthen capillaries. Ask your esthetician if their facials include any or a combination of these ingredients.
5.Vitamin Enriched / Antioxidant – these are great for aging prevention. A medium to heavy exfoliation procedure mixed with soothing, hydrating and vitamin-packed serums and masks, help protect your skin from the environment and build healthier skin. It should have a blend of plant treatments (seaweed is a great detoxifier as well as being vitamin rich) and vitamins with Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) being at the forefront. Green Tea is another antioxidant-rich ingredient that you should look for in these treatments.
6. Specialty Masks / Ampoules – when discussing the type of treatment you should receive, your esthetician will rank the skin conditions that you want to work on while evaluating your skin’s needs. Highly potent products or masks can be added to enhance the effects of the service. Of course, surprise… surprise… they are an extra cost. Sometimes adding an ampoule or mask is still cheaper than the more expensive facials, but sometimes not. One thing to verify is that if you are receiving an upgraded facial, the premium products and masks should be included. If you are paying for the most expensive service on the menu, there is no reason you should be paying extra for the specialty products.
7. Specialty Treatments – perks that fall outside the traditional facial. Extra eye treatments, lip exfoliation, hand treatments, etc… Can be worth the extra money if you want to relax and be pampered. Keep in mind that not all facials cost the same amount and “upselling” is part of the esthetician’s job. If your esthetician recommends something, simply ask if that is included with the one you booked or if there will be an extra charge. If you don’t feel like spending the extra money, simply state that you wanted to stay within a certain dollar amount and you would like to stay with the basic service.

An excellent question since your skin type determines the type of facial you receive and products you use at home. Visit the Skin Types to help you determine what your skin type is. When receiving a facial, your esthetician will determine your skin type and let you know what course of action to take. Even if you are not getting a facial, most estheticians will be more than happy to look at your skin (as long as there is time) and let you know what he/she finds, so if you are looking at products or inquiring about a facial in a spa, ask the front desk if you can talk to whoever is there. Here’s the best piece of advice I can give you… LISTEN TO YOUR ESTHETICIAN! Most people come in with a preconception of their skin type and what I should be doing to their skin. A lot of estheticians are more than happy to look at your skin and tell you what products are best for your skin even without having a facial, so if you are in the market for new products, stop in to a spa that you know and ask to have a consultation. An excellent question since your skin type determines the type of facial you receive and products you use at home. Visit the Skin Types to help you determine what your skin type is. When receiving a facial, your esthetician will determine your skin type and let you know what course of action to take. Even if you are not getting a facial, most estheticians will be more than happy to look at your skin (as long as there is time) and let you know what he/she finds, so if you are looking at products or inquiring about a facial in a spa, ask the front desk if you can talk to whoever is there. Here’s the best piece of advice I can give you… LISTEN TO YOUR ESTHETICIAN! Most people come in with a preconception of their skin type and what I should be doing to their skin. A lot of estheticians are more than happy to look at your skin and tell you what products are best for your skin even without having a facial, so if you are in the market for new products, stop in to a spa that you know and ask to have a consultation. An excellent question since your skin type determines the type of facial you receive and products you use at home. Visit the Skin Types to help you determine what your skin type is. When receiving a facial, your esthetician will determine your skin type and let you know what course of action to take. Even if you are not getting a facial, most estheticians will be more than happy to look at your skin (as long as there is time) and let you know what he/she finds, so if you are looking at products or inquiring about a facial in a spa, ask the front desk if you can talk to whoever is there. Here’s the best piece of advice I can give you… LISTEN TO YOUR ESTHETICIAN! Most people come in with a preconception of their skin type and what I should be doing to their skin. A lot of estheticians are more than happy to look at your skin and tell you what products are best for your skin even without having a facial, so if you are in the market for new products, stop in to a spa that you know and ask to have a consultation.