Facial Advice
- Have realistic expectations for facials. They don’t lift sagging skin. They don’t address deep-seated problems.
- Peels can be useful every four to six weeks for adult acne or sun-damaged skin. It takes about one month for your skin cells to completely turn over.
- Schedule your facial four to seven days before a big event. Stick to your usual facialist so there are no surprises.
A good facialist will talk to you about your skin and past experiences with facials. Your hair will be banded out of your face and your eyes covered.
The first step is a warm mist that softens the dead layers of skin to make extractions and treatments easier. Say something if the steam is too hot.
Extractions come next in order to clean out pores. Some facialists use comedone extractors that clear out whiteheads and blackheads. Others will use their fingers and a tissue. Any instruments used for extractions should be sterilized between patients.
Those with anti-aging concerns may then get micro needling. Hair-like needles are rolled across your skin to pierce the skin to help stimulate collagen production and improve penetration of antioxidants.
Finally, your skin will be treated with an appropriate skin care formula selected by your facialist. You may get a light face, neck, shoulder or hand massage.
Don’t stop your skin care at the edge of your face. Cleanse and moisturize all of the areas that are exposed.
Listen as Dr. Jessica Wu joins Dr. Pamela Peeke to share what you should know about facials.
Dr. Jessica Wu is a Cosmetic Dermatologist in Los Angeles, California, where she has practiced for 20 years.