How Long Does a Facial Take? Here's What to Expect
Investing in the health of your skin is one of the best forms of self-care.
Facials are an excellent way to do that, especially when you have them performed by a professional. We know time is often not in anyone’s favor, but don’t worry — getting a facial shouldn’t take up your entire afternoon. How long does a facial take? What options are available to promote the best version of your skin? We’ve got all the crucial details.
What is a facial?
The concept of a facial is actually a relatively large category that can include skin care products designed for home use alongside those done in an office setting. The big difference between these two groups is effectiveness — at-home facials usually have less potent active ingredients, which is why they’re safe to do by yourself.
In-office facials are more effective because of their ingredients. While many in-office facials have the same active ingredients as their at-home counterparts, the percentage of that ingredient is usually much higher. In many cases, these powerful ingredients are also delivered to the skin in ways that shouldn’t be attempted at home — microneedling or injections, for example.
But regardless of which type you choose, facials are meant to help your skin look and feel its best. Usually, this includes targeted ingredients intended to remove any hurdles stopping your skin from reaching its full potential.
What types of facials are there?
There are a variety of different types of in-office facials to choose from, each benefitting your skin in a slightly different way. Here are three of the options we offer at Skin Pharm.
BBL PHOTOFACIAL—
Treating your skin with light may sound like science fiction, but the BBL photofacial will make you a believer. BBL photofacials harness the power of BroadBand Light (BBL) by directing high-intensity pulses of it toward your problem areas. This light heats the top layers of the skin, reducing unwanted pigmentation (dark spots, freckles, etc.) and eliminating fine, redness-causing blood vessels. If you have redness or dark areas that you want to minimize, the BBL photofacial may be just the thing for you.
But don’t just take our word for it. Science also backs these claims, especially if you’re looking for ways to improve the side effects of aging on the skin!
GOLD INFUSION—
Who doesn’t love gold? There’s something just so luxe about the metal, especially when utilized to keep your skin looking radiant.
Gold Infusion facials are another popular in-office option, as they’re suitable for all skin types (including those with sensitive or thin skin). Our providers devise a customized cocktail of ingredients to address your skin complaints — antioxidants, hydrating ingredients and even Botox. This unique cocktail is then “stamped” just under your skin using a microinfusion device made of tiny, 24-karat needles (hence the name!).
This Gold Infusion facial is excellent for helping to support collagen production, tighten pores, hydrate the skin and improve the skin’s overall texture and appearance. It can also be used to target fine lines and wrinkles, dark spots and scars.
The result is plump, glowing and even skin that continues to improve over time. Plus, there’s hardly any downtime!
MICRONEEDLING WITH PRP (AKA, A “VAMPIRE” FACIAL)—
The “vampire” facial is everywhere; there’s no denying it makes for a great social media photo op. But, unlike a lot of trends online, this one is actually backed by science.
The “vampire” facial is really a combination of two different types of facials — microneedling and platelet-rich plasma (PRP).
Microneedling does involve needles, but not in the way you may think! Instead of injections, microneedling is done with a specialized tool. This tool lets us customize how far into the skin we go, allowing us to cater your treatment specifically to your goals. Microneedling is safe for all skin types and used for various skin care concerns.
Adding in platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is what really ups the game. Unlike the vast majority of other skin care ingredients, PRP is produced by your own body! Our providers obtain PRP through a quick blood draw, followed by a spin around the centrifuge to separate it from the other components of your blood. The result is a pale yellow liquid, which is why you may hear people call it “liquid gold.” Doctors have been using PRP for years to help speed up the healing process, and the same concept applies to a “vampire” facial.
When we combine PRP with microneedling, the process allows the PRP to be deposited under the skin more effectively. Microneedling and PRP can create impressive results on their own, but the combination really knocks it out of the park (although it doesn’t look nearly as “bloody” as social media would have you believe).
How long does a facial take?
The length of your facial will depend on the size of the treatment area and the specific type of facial you’ve chosen, but none of them should take more than an hour. If you’re running short on time, contact the office for a more specific time estimate.
While facials can take up to an hour, in some cases, the prep required before the facial is what takes up most of the time.
Let’s look at the BBL photofacial, for example. Before the facial starts, your skin needs to be cleansed and your provider will apply a cold gel to the treatment area. These are all crucial steps to guarantee you achieve optimal results and are safe and comfortable during the process.
A similar prep process applies to microneedling (and the “vampire” facial), except we’ll use a numbing cream instead of cold gel. Yes, getting your facial done without this prep process might be quicker, but it’s well worth those few extra minutes. After all, the idea that beauty has to hurt is an outdated concept.
When should I expect to see results?
Spending under an hour in our office is an easy trade-off for such impressive results, but when will you see them?
We want our time and money to count, but don’t worry; facials give you plenty of bang for your buck.
Some results, like those you’ll see after a gold infusion facial, are immediate! Once the temporary redness and swelling go down, you’ll be able to see the change right away. Plus, those results continue to get better over time!
Results from other facials, like the “vampire” facial and BBL photofacial, will take a little longer. But be patient; they’re worth it! You should notice the first subtle differences about a week in, although larger areas or more significant concerns may take more than one session.
To sum it up...
How long does a facial take? In most cases, under an hour! We know time isn’t always on your side, but setting aside just a little bit for self-care is a great start! Contact our providers to schedule your BBL photofacial, gold infusion facial or “vampire” facial today.
You won’t regret it, and you deserve to have the most beautiful, radiant skin possible. Trust us — you’re worth it.
SOURCES:
Review of applications of microneedling in dermatology | PubMed
Is platelet-rich plasma the secret to younger-looking skin? | AAD
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