Have you ever had a facial? Some people get facials just for relaxation once in a while. Others get them more often because they have skin conditions they want to address such as dull skin, wrinkles, sun damage, acne etc. One question I get asked after someone gets a facial for the first time is, “How often should I get a facial?” Regardless of why you get facials, it is highly recommended that you get one done on a monthly basis. Sure, they are relaxing, but that’s not the only reason why you should get them done. In this month’s blog, I explain one of the reasons you should get a professional facial every month.

Increased Cellular Turnover for softer, smoother skin.

Our skin was designed to exfoliate on it’s own every 28 days. That is the cell turnover time frame we are born with and it remains that way up until our 20’s. After that, it slows down almost every decade for the rest of our lives. Since our cell renewal cycle slows down, we see our skin slowly get dull, and premature aging signs develop, among other unwanted things. Exfoliation on a monthly basis, by means of a professional facial, will minimize those visible signs by manually forcing the outer dead cells to shed off at the rate that we were born with; and exposing fresher looking skin underneath with reduced aging signs. For those with acne issues, it will help the pores purge excess dead cells that get trapped within the pores to alleviate clogged pores as well as reduce the appearance of scarring from past acne lesions. This doesn’t mean you should only exfoliate once a month. Ideally exfoliation should be a regular part of your at home skin care regimen about twice a week. A professional exfoliation, however, will get deeper with advanced physical or chemical exfoliating techniques such as enzymes, acid peels, microdermabrasion or dermaplaning.

Since everyone has unique skin types and conditions, it is always best to consult with your esthetician to determine what type of facial schedule you should be on. Some skin types show better results when a series of facials are done closer together, either weekly or bi-weekly for a specified amount of time, and then maintained on a monthly basis.

If you are new to getting facials or are just getting into a skin care routine, it is always best to start “slow”. Don’t try to get the most intense facial treatment on the first visit. You need to work your skin up to it, to strengthen your skin’s protective barrier, so that it can withstand the stronger treatments. In the next blog article, I’ll talk about how regular facials and proper home care can strengthen your skin by repairing and fortifying the skin’s protective barrier function.

Get started with your first customized 60 or 90 minute facial to improve your complexion and get a customized home care regimen. Book a facial today!