BENEFITS OF SKINCARE THERAPY
Why should I see an esthetician?
Esthetics is the application of various treatments to the skin, to maintain its health and vitality. Estheticians are deeply trained in skin wellness recognizing skin types, vital ingredients and products, procedures, and techniques, which in turn helps clients with multiple concerns and conditions in achieving healthy, youthful complexion. As well as facial treatments, they can also perform body treatments such as salt / sugar scrubs, moisturizing or slenderizing body wraps, hair removal such as waxing or threading, and hand / foot treatments to rejuvenate skin.
An assortment of treatments and products are used to protect skin from environmental hazards and combat fine lines, wrinkles, and a dull, uneven skin tone. Estheticians are also skilled in managing conditions such as acne, rosacea, eczema, and dry skin, to name just a few. And finally, skin care treatments are wonderfully relaxing and rejuvenating. If smooth, healthy skin is your goal, visiting a skin care professional can benefit you.
What’s the difference between dermatology, cosmetology, and esthetics?
Dermatology is a branch of the medical profession, practiced by licensed physicians who specialize in disorders of the skin. Cosmetology is the study and application of many beauty treatments including hair styling, skin care, cosmetics, manicures/pedicures, and non permanent hair removal. Esthetic practice specifically excludes diagnosis, prescription, or any other service, procedure, or therapy that requires a medical license. If you’re being treated by a dermatologist, your esthetician can provide complementary and support therapies. In addition, estheticians are trained to recognize early signs of many medical conditions affecting the skin, and will refer you to a dermatologist in such a case.
Techniques and products
Techniques used by estheticians include facial steaming, wrapping, exfoliation, waxing, pore cleansing, extraction, and chemical peels. Creams, lotions, wraps, clay or gel masks, and salt scrubs are used. Machines may also be used to help deliver high-tech services.
Common therapies include:
Chemical peel: An exfoliation process, very effective in treating a large range of skin concerns such as aging, sun damage, acne, mild scarring, improving overall skin brightness and evening skin tone. Peels can be light, moderate or deep. Light peels require no down time from work or normal activities. Moderate peels may require a day or two of down time, and deep peels can require a week or more to allow the skin to fully heal. Estheticians who are not working in a medical setting perform light to moderate peels only. Deep peels are performed by a physican, or under a physician’s supervision, for your safety.
Exfoliation: The removal of dead skin cells manually (scrubbing, brushing, or using a system such as microdermabrasion), with a chemical peel (a product that causes dead skin cells to shed) or with an enzymatic product that digests dead skin cells.
Extraction: This is the process of deep cleansing the pores, either manually (using gloved hands and cotton or tissue around the fingers, with gentle pressure to remove the impacted pore) or using a metal extraction implement designed to clear blocked pores. This can also include the use of a lancet (a small sharp blade to lift the dead cells of the skin prior to extraction).
Facial: A facial is the most popular treatment performed by estheticians. It is a good way for your therapist to get a good understanding of your skin prior to suggesting more aggressive treatments. A facial generally includes makeup removal and skin cleansing, exfoliation by mechanical, enzymatic or chemical means, steaming, extractions, facial massage, a treatment mask, serum/moisturizer and sunblock. For most people, facials can be scheduled every four weeks, although your therapist may recommend a different schedule based on your individual needs.
Microdermabrasion: The process of resurfacing the skin using a machine that sands the skin’s epidermal (outer) layer, using either a wand tipped with crushed diamonds, or a spray of special crystals which are then suctioned back up along with the dead skin cells. It can be very helpful in improving skin texture, fine lines and the effectiveness of home care product penetration.
Waxing: Waxing removes unwanted hair at the root. There are two different types of waxes: hard and soft. Soft wax is applied warm to the skin in a thin layer in the direction of hair growth. Cloth strips are then applied to the warm wax, rubbed in the direction of hair growth, and quickly pulled off in the opposite direction. This method is best used on larger areas of the body such as the legs, back or chest. Hard wax is used without cloth strips. It is applied warm, in a layer about the thickness of a nickel, allowed to dry and then removed quickly in the opposite direction of hair growth. Hard wax is less irritating to sensitive skin and is excellent for the bikini, underarm and facial areas.
Esthetics is the application of various treatments to the skin, to maintain its health and vitality. Estheticians are deeply trained in skin wellness recognizing skin types, vital ingredients and products, procedures, and techniques, which in turn helps clients with multiple concerns and conditions in achieving healthy, youthful complexion. As well as facial treatments, they can also perform body treatments such as salt / sugar scrubs, moisturizing or slenderizing body wraps, hair removal such as waxing or threading, and hand / foot treatments to rejuvenate skin.
An assortment of treatments and products are used to protect skin from environmental hazards and combat fine lines, wrinkles, and a dull, uneven skin tone. Estheticians are also skilled in managing conditions such as acne, rosacea, eczema, and dry skin, to name just a few. And finally, skin care treatments are wonderfully relaxing and rejuvenating. If smooth, healthy skin is your goal, visiting a skin care professional can benefit you.
What’s the difference between dermatology, cosmetology, and esthetics?
Dermatology is a branch of the medical profession, practiced by licensed physicians who specialize in disorders of the skin. Cosmetology is the study and application of many beauty treatments including hair styling, skin care, cosmetics, manicures/pedicures, and non permanent hair removal. Esthetic practice specifically excludes diagnosis, prescription, or any other service, procedure, or therapy that requires a medical license. If you’re being treated by a dermatologist, your esthetician can provide complementary and support therapies. In addition, estheticians are trained to recognize early signs of many medical conditions affecting the skin, and will refer you to a dermatologist in such a case.
Techniques and products
Techniques used by estheticians include facial steaming, wrapping, exfoliation, waxing, pore cleansing, extraction, and chemical peels. Creams, lotions, wraps, clay or gel masks, and salt scrubs are used. Machines may also be used to help deliver high-tech services.
Common therapies include:
Chemical peel: An exfoliation process, very effective in treating a large range of skin concerns such as aging, sun damage, acne, mild scarring, improving overall skin brightness and evening skin tone. Peels can be light, moderate or deep. Light peels require no down time from work or normal activities. Moderate peels may require a day or two of down time, and deep peels can require a week or more to allow the skin to fully heal. Estheticians who are not working in a medical setting perform light to moderate peels only. Deep peels are performed by a physican, or under a physician’s supervision, for your safety.
Exfoliation: The removal of dead skin cells manually (scrubbing, brushing, or using a system such as microdermabrasion), with a chemical peel (a product that causes dead skin cells to shed) or with an enzymatic product that digests dead skin cells.
Extraction: This is the process of deep cleansing the pores, either manually (using gloved hands and cotton or tissue around the fingers, with gentle pressure to remove the impacted pore) or using a metal extraction implement designed to clear blocked pores. This can also include the use of a lancet (a small sharp blade to lift the dead cells of the skin prior to extraction).
Facial: A facial is the most popular treatment performed by estheticians. It is a good way for your therapist to get a good understanding of your skin prior to suggesting more aggressive treatments. A facial generally includes makeup removal and skin cleansing, exfoliation by mechanical, enzymatic or chemical means, steaming, extractions, facial massage, a treatment mask, serum/moisturizer and sunblock. For most people, facials can be scheduled every four weeks, although your therapist may recommend a different schedule based on your individual needs.
Microdermabrasion: The process of resurfacing the skin using a machine that sands the skin’s epidermal (outer) layer, using either a wand tipped with crushed diamonds, or a spray of special crystals which are then suctioned back up along with the dead skin cells. It can be very helpful in improving skin texture, fine lines and the effectiveness of home care product penetration.
Waxing: Waxing removes unwanted hair at the root. There are two different types of waxes: hard and soft. Soft wax is applied warm to the skin in a thin layer in the direction of hair growth. Cloth strips are then applied to the warm wax, rubbed in the direction of hair growth, and quickly pulled off in the opposite direction. This method is best used on larger areas of the body such as the legs, back or chest. Hard wax is used without cloth strips. It is applied warm, in a layer about the thickness of a nickel, allowed to dry and then removed quickly in the opposite direction of hair growth. Hard wax is less irritating to sensitive skin and is excellent for the bikini, underarm and facial areas.
VISITING AN ESTHETICIAN
It is always a good idea to schedule a consultation appointment prior to your first treatment, especially if you are new to esthetic treatments. This gives you and your therapist a chance to discuss your goals and expectations for the first visit, and long term goals for the future. During a consultation, your therapist will go over an extensive intake form, and most likely do a cleansing of the skin followed by a detailed skin analysis. This will give your therapist the information she/he needs to create an individualized treatment plan, both for a series of professional treatments and recommendations for products you can use at home.
What about home care?
Much of the success of maintaining a visible improvement after treatment depends on consistent, correct home care. Your esthetician is trained to select the products that will most benefit your skin, and to advise you on how to maintain your professional results between visits. Like medical or dental care, following the right daily regimen at home is essential if you are to get the most out of your visits to a professional.
Your esthetician
Your skin care treatments should be provided by a properly trained professional. Don’t hesitate to ask your skin care therapist about her/his background, training, and experience—especially as it relates to the treatment you are considering. Your esthetician meets their state’s licensing credentials and/ or core training requirements, and to agree to follow a code of ethics which ensures you’ll be treated responsibly and with the utmost respect.
What about home care?
Much of the success of maintaining a visible improvement after treatment depends on consistent, correct home care. Your esthetician is trained to select the products that will most benefit your skin, and to advise you on how to maintain your professional results between visits. Like medical or dental care, following the right daily regimen at home is essential if you are to get the most out of your visits to a professional.
Your esthetician
Your skin care treatments should be provided by a properly trained professional. Don’t hesitate to ask your skin care therapist about her/his background, training, and experience—especially as it relates to the treatment you are considering. Your esthetician meets their state’s licensing credentials and/ or core training requirements, and to agree to follow a code of ethics which ensures you’ll be treated responsibly and with the utmost respect.
CONTRAINDICATIONS
It is important to make sure you update and tell your esthetician of your medical history to better serve you. It is for your safety as some medications, ingredients, and/or conditions may be a contraindication to esthetic services. A skin evaluation form and consultation is given before a treatment.
The following list includes some of our restrictions:
Depending on your restriction, a revised custom facial may be done as treatments or products that interfere are substituted or removed.
Facial treatments may cause slight redness and skin sensitivity. This is normal and may be due to the exfoliation process, manual stimulation, and/or extractions. In addition, facial treatments may cause minor breakouts or blemishes as skin impurities rise to the surface. If scabbing from breakouts or extractions arise, that is also normal, leave it alone as your skin heals for best results.
Facial aftercare instrucitons:
After receiving a facial treatment, refrain from tanning in tanning beds or outdoors for the next 48 hours. Avoid the use of exfoliating skincare products/ waxing for, at least 72 hours and do not receive another facial treatment within 48 hours. You may continue your normal skincare routine of cleansing and moisturizing. It is best to not do anything that would irritate or aggravate the skin for 72 hours.
The following list includes some of our restrictions:
- Use of Retin A/Renova within 1 week
- Accutane (Isotretinoin) within the last 6 months
- Facial waxing within the last 24-48 hours
- Injectables/dermal fillers within 1 week
- Any chemical peels/IPL/photofacials within 4 weeks
- A microdermabrasion treatment within the last 72 hours
- Laser treatments/facial cosmetic surgery within the last 6 months
- Chemotherapy within the last 6 months
- Currently undergoing radiation
Depending on your restriction, a revised custom facial may be done as treatments or products that interfere are substituted or removed.
Facial treatments may cause slight redness and skin sensitivity. This is normal and may be due to the exfoliation process, manual stimulation, and/or extractions. In addition, facial treatments may cause minor breakouts or blemishes as skin impurities rise to the surface. If scabbing from breakouts or extractions arise, that is also normal, leave it alone as your skin heals for best results.
Facial aftercare instrucitons:
After receiving a facial treatment, refrain from tanning in tanning beds or outdoors for the next 48 hours. Avoid the use of exfoliating skincare products/ waxing for, at least 72 hours and do not receive another facial treatment within 48 hours. You may continue your normal skincare routine of cleansing and moisturizing. It is best to not do anything that would irritate or aggravate the skin for 72 hours.