Best Types of Facials + Their Benefits
You used to be stuck with just one type of facial, no matter your skin type.
Luckily, it’s a brave new world out there! As skin care technology continues evolving, so do facials, expanding the options into new, cutting-edge territory.
There are now many types of facials, each with its own unique set of benefits. We want to help you sort through all the noise so that you can find the options most compatible with your skin care goals. Everyone deserves a little self-care time, so let’s find the perfect facial for you!
1. BBL photofacials
First up, BBL photofacials! We all know how good natural sunlight is for our body and mood (as long as you use sunscreen, of course), but did you know that we can now harness a similar, safer type of light to transform your skin without the risk of sunburn?
With broadband light (the “BBL” part of the equation), we can quickly and non-invasively target a huge variety of skin concerns — including hyperpigmentation, redness, sun damage and breakouts. A unique benefit of the BBL photofacial is that we can check our work while you’re undergoing treatment, ensuring we address your areas of concern effectively and allowing us to adjust as we go.
All you’ll feel is a little “snap,” similar to a rubber band.
In addition to being the Swiss Army knife of facials, BBL photofacials require almost no downtime afterward. If you’re looking for an effective cosmetic treatment that doesn’t make you hide from the world for a day or two, this may be the perfect option for you.
Because who has time for recovery time in the quest for beautiful skin? The only downside is that it may require more than one treatment to achieve optimal results, but those results will be well worth the time spent in our office.
2. Microneedling with PRP (aka a “vampire” facial)
There’s a reason we do so many microneedling treatments. Microneedling can be a real game-changer, especially for dull, aging skin. The current research backs up what we already knew to be microneedling’s massive and impressive range of benefits — scar and stretch mark reduction, sun damage repair and even hair regrowth. The results speak for themselves!
As wonderful as microneedling is, adding PRP to your treatment can really supercharge your results. But what is PRP, you ask? And why is it called a “vampire” facial?
PRP stands for platelet-rich plasma, a component in your blood — hence why it’s sometimes called a “vampire” facial! After drawing your blood during your appointment (don’t worry, we’re pros at this), we spin it down in a centrifuge to separate the platelets from the other components. But don’t be fooled by the vampire nickname.
The end product that goes onto your skin isn’t blood red; it’s a golden yellow color that’s earned the nickname “liquid gold.” Once done, we can inject that liquid gold PRP directly under your skin or “stamp” it in with the microneedling device (or both!), depending on your skin goals.
Research shows just how effective PRP can be, restoring and rejuvenating your skin in just one or two weeks. It does this by sending your skin’s healing process into overdrive, stimulating the much quicker production of collagen (the protein that makes your skin look youthful and firm). Essentially, we’re tricking the body into replacing the older, damaged skin cells and proteins with newer, healthier versions!
Before scheduling your microneedling and PRP treatments, keep in mind that it may take a day or two for your skin to calm down after your appointment. Think of it as a controlled burn; we’re doing a little bit of safe, planned damage to the skin for the greater good. That said, don’t schedule your appointment the day before a big event to give your skin plenty of time to heal and look its best afterward.
3. Gold Infusion facials
There’s a reason they call it the “gold” standard; when it comes to the types of facials that are next level, Gold Infusion facials really do live up to their name! A Gold Infusion facial uses a unique, proprietary mix of antioxidants and vitamins that are personalized to target your specific skin care issues.
Once we’ve decided on your blend, we use a specialized microinfusion device made of 24-karat gold mini needles to “stamp” the cocktail into the skin. The device also helps stimulate collagen production, helping your skin look its most plump and glowy.
Gold Infusion facials are similar to microneedling, except for the depth the device can penetrate your skin. Where we can customize microneedling treatments to anywhere from 0.1mm to 2.5mm deep, our Gold Infusion facial needles stay at 0.6mm deep. (The good news is that this depth means a slightly shorter recovery time!) Most of our clients complain of little to no discomfort during treatment, as well, and notice only slight redness or irritation for a day or two afterward.
We recommend a Gold Infusion facial for anyone looking to tighten their pores, refine their skin texture, reduce the visibility of fine lines and wrinkles or just hydrate their skin, so it looks healthy, youthful and radiant. Trust us; the Gold Infusion facial is worth its weight in gold.
4. At-home facials
As wonderful as it is to let the skin care pros pamper you, some people either can’t or don’t want to leave their house to explore the types of facials available. If that’s you, don’t worry — we won’t leave you out! There are plenty of options for at-home facial treatments, and face masks can be especially effective from the comfort of your own home.
Take Clay Time, for instance. When you use this mask on a clean face (start with one of our cleansers to get the job done quickly), it combines the exfoliating powers of kaolin clay and 1% salicylic acid with the clarifying abilities of charcoal. You can get a powerful spa-like experience without changing out of your pajamas. All it takes is just a few minutes 2-3x a week to keep those benefits coming! You’ll end up with clearer, softer, smoother skin in no time.
Just make sure to follow it up with a supportive moisturizer to lock in hydration and keep your skin healthy. A strong, intact moisture barrier can make or break your overall complexion, and it doesn’t matter what else you do to your skin if you’re working with a damaged stratum corneum. It would be like wearing a raincoat with holes in a thunderstorm. Any good skin care routine ends with moisturizer, even for those with naturally oily skin. Just like the inside of our body, the outside of the skin craves hydration. Listen to it and give it what it needs.
To wrap things up...
We’d love to make an appointment with you to discuss your skin care concerns and which of our available types of facials will best help address them. Our goal is to help you love your skin and to help you find the best version of it yet. Whether that means a BBL photofacial, Gold Infusion facial, PRP treatment or an at-home option like our Clay Time charcoal mask, we’ll guide you toward what your skin needs to look (and feel!) its very best.
SOURCES:
Review of applications of microneedling in dermatology | PMC
