As the world welcomes the rising number of cosmetic innovations, many skincare aficionados are slowly becoming huge fans of facials. If you’re thinking of getting one yourself, you might be overwhelmed to know that there are many different types of facials to choose from.
There are ten main types of facials: classic, anti-aging, acne, LED light therapy, hydrafacial, brightening, lymphatic massage, microcurrent, chemical, and aromatherapy. Each type caters to certain skin types and will address specific skin concerns and issues.
With countless innovations in the cosmetics and beauty world, there aren’t only ten types of facials. There are more out there but we chose to focus on these common and popular types.
Below, we’ll go over all the basics of these types of facials and what they can do for your skin. We’ll also discuss the many benefits of getting a facial done and how you can choose the best facial type for what your skin needs.
What are the Benefits of Getting a Facial?
Facials are beauty and skincare treatments you can get done professionally in skin clinics. Some facials though, depending on the severity and degree of the procedure, you can easily DIY right in your home.
Nonetheless, facial treatments have long made their mark in the skincare and beauty world. For any skincare aficionado, facials are more than just pampering your skin. It’s going the extra mile to smooth, brighten, and reveal an even younger-looking and glowing skin that’s on everyone’s list.
Here are all the benefits of getting a facial:
- Deeply cleans pores
One of the best and most basic benefits a facial offers is deep pore cleansing. The skin’s pores accumulate excess oil, dirt, dead skin cells, and bacteria and facials deal with all that. Doing so minimizes the chances of acne breakouts and gives your skin a glowing appearance.
- Address any skin concerns
Whether it’s oily skin, dry skin, acne-prone skin, or any other skin issue you’re concerned about, you’re sure to find a facial treatment that will help address them.
A visit and consultation with your dermatologist or esthetician would give you the information you need.
- Brightens skin and smooths out the texture
Facials help get rid of dead skin cells on the skin’s surface. This gets rid of rough, dull, and dry skin, replacing them with a healthier layer of skin underneath. A new healthy layer of skin also reveals much brighter and healthy-looking skin.
- Hydrates and moisturizes skin
Specific and certain facial treatments boost facial hydration with moisturizing ingredients like peptides, hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and ceramides. This could come in the form of serums, face packs, and moisturizers.
- Anti-aging benefits
Aging is a natural part of human life but it doesn’t mean we can’t age gracefully. Certain facials focus on skin cell regeneration and renewal. These smooth out fine lines and wrinkles to reveal younger-looking skin underneath.
- Destresses skin
No matter the type of facial you’re getting, facials are a really soothing and relaxing experience. Because the skin takes daily beatings, facial treatments can help destress you and your skin along the way.
The Different Types of Facials
When you’re at your favorite skin clinic and spa, the long list of treatment menus can be overwhelming, especially if you haven’t had your set out for a specific treatment yet.
To help you navigate through your many options, we will discuss in detail below the different types of facials:
- Classic Facial
If you have no major skin concerns and would otherwise like to keep facials simple, you can’t go wrong with a classic facial.
A classic facial offers the most common but the best basics of any facial treatment.
It starts with cleansing before exfoliating the skin’s surface. Extraction comes next to get rid of any dirt, dead skin cells, or excess sebum lodged deep within your pores. Then comes hydrating your skin and then the face mask.
This is ideal for all skin types and can be done any time of the year. Depending on your skin type, your esthetician can use varying products to suit your skin.
- Anti-Aging Facial
If your major skin concern is various signs of aging, an anti-aging facial might do your skin good.
This type of facial uses products and ingredients that tackle the signs of aging present on your skin.
Anti-aging facials include deep pore cleansing, exfoliation, treatments like microdermabrasion or skin resurfacing, and deep hydration.
People over the age of 30 will benefit most from this.
- Acne Facial
This type of facial treatment is perfect for those suffering from acne-prone skin and acne breakouts. This deep cleans the skin and pores, often including deep extraction. In the process, acne-causing bacteria are also tackled.
- LED Light Therapy Facial
LED light therapy, or color light therapy uses low-level light emissions to address varying skin concerns.
It’s been credited with stimulating and boost collagen growth, healing scars, and fighting bacteria. Many also believe in its ability to reduce and minimize acne and inflammatory skin conditions like eczema.
It’s often used in conjunction with other types of facials like the classic facial.
- Hydrafacial
Hydrafacials use two facial methods: exfoliation and hydration.
The process starts off by sucking out all the gunk and impurities deep within your pores. Once all these are out, the facial ends with treating your now-clean skin with rejuvenating and nutrient-rich serums to boost the skin’s health. This gives skin a renewed, bright, and smooth appearance.
- Brightening Facial
A brightening facial is perfect for those dealing with hyperpigmentation, dark spots, and discoloration.
This facial type could use face peels and acid treatments to rid your skin of those spots. This eliminates dull-looking skin and instead reveals skin that’s glowing, bright, and fresh-looking.
- Lymphatic Massage Facial
A lymphatic massage facial is usually done as part of other types of facials.
This aims to release stress in certain target areas on your face and neck. It can also help reduce puffiness by reducing the body’s water retention.
A facial that boosts your body’s circulation such as this one can give you a glowing and even-toned complexion.
- Microcurrent Facial
Microcurrent facials are effective at stimulating collagen and elastin production, both of which the skin needs for structure. The more structure the skin has, the fewer signs of aging it shows.
This type of facial can also sculpt and lift target facial muscles, resulting in toned and youthful-looking skin.
- Chemical Peel Facial
Chemical peels are a skin-resurfacing facial treatment that helps get rid of the skin’s damaged topmost layer. This encourages cell turnover and regeneration.
Chemical peels can deeply cleanse the pores and get rid of dark spots and deep-set fine lines. As the skin grows back after the peeling process, you achieve smoother, softer, and glowing skin instead.
- Aromatherapy Facial
Aromatherapy facials use essential oils to address varying skin concerns. Depending on what your skin concerns are, different oils are used on your skin. This is also very relaxing thanks to the aromas of the essential oils.
Those with sensitive skin should proceed with caution and a patch test should be done first.
What is the Best Type of Facial?
There is not one “best” facial out there. The best type of facial for you is one that addresses your skin concerns.
Each facial has a unique set of benefits so asking yourself what your skin needs and what your skin issues are will help you decide which best one to get for you.
How to Select the Right Facial For Your Skin Type and Skin Concerns?
There are tons of facials to choose from, if you’re having trouble, considering your skin type and skin concerns should help you in deciding:
Normal skin
For those with normal skin types, the best facial is one that will help you maintain your healthy skin. The basics of cleansing, extraction, and moisture are a must.
Dry skin
Those with dry skin types need as much moisture and hydration. Look for facials that will hydrate your skin. Look for ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glycerin.
Oily skin
Those with oily skin will greatly benefit from deep pore-cleansing facials. These will get rid of any excess oil and help maintain balance.
Combination skin
Mild and non-comedogenic products will work best for combination skin types. Avoid too much oil on oily areas and boost moisture in dry areas of your face.
How Often Should You Get Facials Done?
Professionals usually recommend getting a facial once a month.
One month, or exactly 28 days, is the time the skin needs to regenerate. This is the time it takes for the skin to renew and regrow cells, so treating your skin with a facial at the end of the skin life cycle is ideal.
How Long Do Facials Last?
Results from a facial treatment would typically last about two to three days. Consistent and regular follow-ups will help you maintain results much longer. This plus a good skincare routine in between facials will keep your skin healthy and glowing.
Conclusion
Getting facials at least once a month is the perfect way to treat, pamper, and relax the skin. But if you’re at the top of your skincare game, you know facials go beyond that. The many different types of facials offer varying benefits and can address an array of skin concerns.
There are ten main types of facials: classic, anti-aging, acne, LED light therapy, hydrafacial, brightening, lymphatic massage, microcurrent, chemical peel, and aromatherapy. Each type of facial offers solutions for different skin concerns.
And that has been our detailed guide on the different types of facials. Once you decide which is best for you, learn how to prepare for a facial.