Gold Infusion Facials: Do They Really Work?
Gold facials are popular for a number of reasons.
To start, they brighten, smooth and plump up your skin with minimal downtime and nearly immediate results.
But do gold facials really work? We’ve got the answers and everything else you’ve always wanted to know about this unique skin care treatment.
What is a gold facial?
Gold facials — or Gold Infusions, as we call ’em at Skin Pharm — are an easy way to give your unique skin precisely what it needs to thrive and look its best. While other facials use more of a one-size-fits-all approach, gold facials deliver a customized cocktail of skin care ingredients beneath the skin. This method allows those ingredients to penetrate even deeper and make a noticeable difference in your appearance.
While there is some variation, our gold facials use microinfusion devices with 24-karat gold needles to gently “stamp” your customized ingredients into your skin. In addition to delivering the ingredients deep into the skin, these controlled punctures also send a message to the skin that it needs to direct more collagen to the treatment areas. Collagen is the protein responsible for keeping the skin firm and youthful, so having more of it is always a good thing.
What benefits can a gold facial provide to the skin?
Gold facials have one significant advantage over other skin treatments — their ability to be catered to exactly what your skin needs. That means their list of benefits is much larger because they can do almost anything you need them to, as long as you work with your skin care provider. Here’s just a small list of some of the skin concerns gold facials can address:
- Dullness
- Enlarged pores
- Fine lines
- Melasma (dark, blotchy patches on the skin)
- Scarring
- Sun damage
- Thin, lax skin
- Visible signs of aging
Gold facials are beneficial for every skin type and color, which is part of why they remain a popular option for people really looking to make a visible difference in their appearance. If you’re unsure if gold facials will work for your specific skin care need, ask one of our knowledgeable skin care providers.
Are there any side effects from gold facials?
Any skin care treatment can have side effects, although they are usually very mild and don’t last more than a day or two in most cases. Gold facials are no different — you can expect mild redness and swelling as you leave the office, which should fade quickly without outside intervention. If you have naturally sensitive skin, you may also notice some bruising.
What do I need to do differently after getting a gold facial?
Aftercare is just as crucial with gold facials as any other skin care treatment. Following the protocol recommended by your skin care provider is essential for getting the best results possible.
Because gold facials are a non-invasive treatment, aftercare is mostly to reduce the possibility of longer-lasting side effects. For example, our providers recommend not using makeup (especially full-face makeup, like foundation or CC cream) for at least 24 hours after your appointment.
Remember, even though you can’t see the punctures, your skin still has open wounds that it’s working hard to heal. Anything you put on your skin that isn’t recommended by your treatment team can clog the pores, increase the healing time and even be a potential infection risk.
To that end, we’ve also put together a post-treatment skin care routine to help your skin help itself even more effectively. We recommend washing your face with the Foaming Cleanser in our Jetsetter Kit, followed by Recovery Lotion to keep your skin moisturized.
Once your skin is no longer sensitive (after a day or so), feel free to return to your normal skin care routine and use makeup as needed. (Continuing to use Recovery Lotion longer than intended, especially on oily or acne-prone skin, can increase your risk of breakouts.)
You’ll also want to avoid strenuous exercise, tanning, sweating or picking at your skin as much as possible while your skin is healing.
How long will it take to see results?
One of the best parts about gold facials is how quickly you can see results. After the initial redness and swelling subside, your skin will already appear plumper and more radiant. And the best part? These results will only continue to improve over time and are “permanent” as long as you continue to take care of your skin after leaving the office!
Are gold facials the same as microneedling?
While gold facials and microneedling use similar technology, there are a few crucial differences. These skin care treatments both use controlled punctures to trick the skin into creating more collagen, but they use different depths to make that happen.
Microneedling devices allow for different depths, from 0.1mm to 2.5mm. Gold facial microinfusion devices are set to a single depth — 0.6mm — deep enough to get its customized cocktail into the skin but not so deep that it requires as long a healing time as a microneedling procedure.
Can I add other treatments to my gold facial?
Because gold facials are designed to work specifically for your unique skin needs, plenty of options are available to add to your treatment. Two of the most popular “add-ons” are PRP and Botox, which can both take already impressive results to an entirely new level.
Platelet-rich plasma, or PRP, is often referred to as “liquid gold” for its benefits and pale yellow color. PRP is a treatment used in skin care and other areas of healthcare, like orthopedics and sports medicine. It involves drawing your blood and spinning it down in a centrifuge to remove the element known for helping speed up the healing process — all by harnessing the power of your own body. Adding PRP also doesn’t increase the downtime you need after your gold facial, which is already minimal compared to other skin care treatments.
Botoxis another excellent addition to a gold facial, especially if you’re using the skin care treatment to help address fine lines and wrinkles. Botox is one of the most, if not the most, non-invasive cosmetic treatments on the market because it’s incredibly effective and can take years off the appearance in just a few minutes without going under the night. Adding Botox to your gold facial goes even further toward smoothing your skin, although it will generally take a few weeks to see optimal results.
To sum things up...
Gold facials are a powerful skin care treatment because they can be easily customized to give your skin exactly what it needs to look and feel its best. When you add on PRP or Botox, you’ll get immediate results that keep improving over time — and what more can you ask for in a skin care treatment? Whether you’re looking for a way to minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, boost your skin’s radiance or reduce the visibility of dark spots, gold facials are just what you need to take your skin up a notch.
SOURCES:
Review of applications of microneedling in dermatology | PMC
