[Freddy]

I tend to post most of my rants in my blog, but I thought this was an important topic so I decided to create a new thread instead.

As some of you know, I'm a huge spa afficionado. If you didn't find me at work or in the gym, you'd definately find me at the spa. Starting January 1st, I went on a new regime and everything was going pretty much spot on. I went for a facial a month later for what I thought was going to be a 'touch-up' and ended up with oily skin and now trying to recouperate from that facial.

I've had to recreate my strategy and I am currently undertaking a different plan of attack.

Anyhow, getting back to the main topic which is the facials. I am starting to believe that facials may not be a necessary evil, but just simply an evil.

Let's look at the reasons why someone goes to the spa for a facial (or more accurately, reasons why I go to the spa).
1. To relax.
2. To feel like they're doing something good for themselves and their skin.
3. To get rid of stubborn pimples via extractions.
4. To get nice skin.
5. To even out skin tone.

Alright now, do I really need to go for $150 facials when those are my main reasons? How can I address those?

1. I can relax with a $25 massage. Much better in fact since I'm not subjecting myself to painful extractions anyhow.

2. I don't mind skipping the facials if my skin is fine to begin with. If anything, I'll be thinking I'm doing something bad if I go with good skin and come out a bloody mess from the spa only to have hyperpigmentation spots and what not later.

3. Pimples all eventually come out, even stubborn ones. As an extreme example, how many old people do you know that have a pimple in their pores that has been there since they're youth? NONE. They more or less don't take more than 1 month on average for them to resolve themselves anyways. Do you really come out on top if you have it removed at the spa but end up with BIGGER dark spots from where the pimple used to be? And that dark spot takes two or more months to resolved?

4. Can't get nice skin if you're always screwing with it. I knew that and I still messed around. Facials aggrevate the skin and more often than not people break out after a facial anyways, making things worse. I'm an example of this myself with my most recent facial.

5. Skin tone won't be even with all the irritation and redness from facials. Besides there's always a risk of a slip-up from the aesthetician and her digging her nail in your face. Never usually happens, but it can occur. Then you're going home with a scar. Best to avoid.

What are your thoughts on this topic?

 

[mireckca]

It seems to me that you really pour yourself into everything that you do, which in my mind is a good thing, because I do the same thing.

But maybe your face does need a "rest" - and it seems like this an excellent time to do so, since you now have the BB and BQ to work with at home. I'd say give these devices a couple of months and see what they can do.

 

[IluvNY]

What is a BB? also mireka did you ever get a Baby Quasar for your self? Freddy I like getting my face done about every 6 weeks but would never personally spend a lot of money on spa treatments as Im not one really for sitting their and relaxing for hours on end but however I am quite tempted into looking into at the mo light therapy and some sort of massaging equipment I can put on my face at the mo to help with circulation etc! However i do agree with mirecka it is important to give your face break you dont want to over it especially cause your face will change when you hit big 30! Unfortuantly!

 

[mireckca]

NY - the "BB" is the Baby Blue - the blue light that kills bacteria that cause acne. And yes, I do have the "BQ" - the Baby Quasar for anti-aging. It is a good investment for me; I wanted to get started with it before this aging thing gets too out of hand. I have some lines and some sagging but not too much yet.

 

[Mushi]

Spas and facials are good for deep cleansing your face and relaxing. But I believe they are too costly for one thing and if you indulge in a good skincare routine, cleansing, exfoliating, toning and moisturiser, this will help skin to improve. Having facials once monthly is a good idea for proper deep cleansing and extraction. But too many facials can damage the skin esp. acne prone skins and rosacea.

 

[IluvNY]

Thanks mirecka im still thinking about if i want the baby Q not sure about this one after reading its side effects though, still thinking about it though! Sorry know iv changed subject here!

 

[fawnie]

Oh I'm totally on board w/that Freddy.

I think we can do it for ourselves with the right "toys", like the BB and BQ.
We can even buy those galvanic electrical stimulators that spas use now..for the price of a couple spa visits we can own the devices and do the treatments at home. Granted, the spa versions are more high-powered and the expertise is there, but I think with enough treatments at home eventually we catch up and see the same or similar results.

We can do facial lymphatic drainage on ourselves.

About the only spa treat I indulge in is that one where she uses her feet to press my back: shiatsu. Now that is worth every dime!!!

Spa estheticians will flame me here for sure.

 

[Freddy]

Mirecka and Fawnie,

I think you're both right. We are now armed with what is state-of-the-art technology at home in the way we can fight acne, blemishes, and wrinkles, so is there really a need for those facials?

Something posted something about facials being relaxing. I find that they really aren't, at least my facials aren't when I'm having stuff extracted from the nose or near the temples, the pain can literally bring tears to your eyes.

What about the money issue? I spend around $300 a month on facials and spa procedures, sometimes this number is higher. Were my BB and BQ expensive when I consider what they can do and how much less I need to go to the spa? No, they'll actually save me money in the long run.

 

[fawnie]

So right you are. I don't find spa treatments all that relaxing....all I can think about is how much it's costing me and how I could be doing the same thing myself!

 

[IluvNY]

They did get rid of my black heads on my nose though and I would never try extratcting my black heads meself, however this does not hurt me personally!

 

[mireckca]

What about the money issue? I spend around $300 a month on facials and spa procedures, sometimes this number is higher. Were my BB and BQ expensive when I consider what they can do and how much less I need to go to the spa? No, they'll actually save me money in the long run.

So - maybe you will get that awesome car very soon.

 

[dragonlilly]

I had microdermabrasion sessions two-years ago that really battered up my skin. I've also had Glycolic and Salicylic Acid peels.
They were ok but they did rough-up my face b4 getting better and really i'm not sure that it did ever get better.

I am VERY happy with the BBQ and BB. I's been two months and I have had 0 cystic acne outbreaks and just a few - very few blemishes - tiny ones that have a twenty-four hour lifespan and no brown spot. Nothing else has been able to do that for me.

Now i am all about home treatments. Which is a good thing because I consider my investment in the Baby Quasars my last hurrah.

Next i want to learn how to make my own serums!!!

 

[fawnie]

Gee, DL!

That spa thing didn't work for you at all! But silver lining: it made you aware of what your skin didn't care for. It's wonderful that BB and BQ are working for you now though. The bulbs are supposed to be good for 11 years of continuous use, so you should be good to go for a very long time!

 

[dragonlilly]

REALLY??? 11 years! Oh grand! I should be recovering financially by then! LOL

 

[fawnie]

...but your face is your fortune, Dahling!!!!

Yes you are all set forever!

How's your electricity bill with the gadgets? LEDs shouldn't burn that much power I wouldn't think, but I always feel guilty when the bill comes....

 

[dragonlilly]

Oh goodness, I'm still adjusting to my bill with my computer (last June)
I get my bill every two months so we'll see ...

 

[Mari]

Freddy, I think you have enough knowledge and know how to give yourself a good facial. Put the money you would have spent into your "buy a car jar". It seems that every time I scan ads for beauty salons they advertise facials, etc. So I wonder how many are really trained. My secretary went in for a facial/extractions and her face was a mess for over a week -- she couldn't even put on any makeup her face was so tender. There are enough good products on the market along with info on the internet to make an educated decision what products would benefit you. In fact I think you could give this advice.

 

[Gavelgirl]

A good aesthetician and product are worth their weight in gold but hey we're all human and there is error! With that said new aestheticians and product are frightening; it has been over a year since my last facial because the product I was using, ILIKE, is what she uses and it started to break me out so I have not wanted to go as I am still clearing up my face.

 

[Freddy]

Yes, but the question is are facials good? Are they even necessary?

Why do we go for facials? If our skin was blemish-free is there any reason to see them at all? I use to think yes, now I think they can just make **** worse.

 

[Leslie]

I am an aesthetician, and this is my honest opinion. If you have normal blemish-free skin, then no, facials are not absolutely necessary. If you would like a good exfoliation, you can certainly see a professional, but some things can be done inexpensively from the calm and comfort of your own home. A lot of my clients with normal skin just want a little boost in thier radiance, and to refresh their skin seasonally. Facials should not make your skin worse, if the selection of the products used in your treatment are too strong, it can sensitize the skin. And the only reason your face will break out after a facial is because there's been some debri brewing under the surface of your skin for a while. It has to come at some point and time, facials and exfoliation just make it easier for the clogged follicle to relaese the impaction. With certain types of skin hyperpigmentation is inevitable following any trauma to the skin whether it's an inflammed lesion or an inflammed lesion that has been extracted. I hopes this info helps.