5 Good Reasons Why A Facial Is The Best Thing For Your Skin

While it’s great to practice good skin care, that doesn’t necessarily mean you should be skipping out on seeking professional help. And even though you may not suffer from severe acne or other chronic conditions, your complexion will still benefit from the attention of a trained aesthetician.

I didn’t used to believe in facials. I used to scroll past selfie-style Instagram videos of bloggers and celebrities joined by an anonymous pair of hands massaging masks and scrubs onto their skin and roll my eyes. I wondered how overpaying someone to apply products similar to what I have on my bathroom counter could really make a difference in my skin. Then I got a facial, and I can officially say that I have been converted. Here are 5 good reasons why you should book in for a regular facial soon.

1. Facials can actually clear your pores.

“A professional treatment will fully cleanse your skin in a way that you simply can’t at home,” insists Dr Chua Han Boon, senior aesthetic consultant at SW1 Clinic. “Think about it this way, you brush and floss your teeth twice daily, but you still need to go to the dentist a few times a year for optimal health.”

Blackheads are the enemy, and we’ve all tried our fair share of at-home DIY treatments, pore strips, and peel masks to rid the skin of their presence. Although those methods can be partially effective, often times, we’re still greeted by little lingering friends when we revisit the mirror. When I got a Deep Deep Clean facial, I can honestly say it was the first time my pores were 100% clear since I started my battle with acne and clogged pores in middle school. Facialists normally utilize a safe and gentle steam to really open your pores and allow them to breathe.

The professional touch makes all the difference between superficially clean skin and really clear skin. And if you think being harsher on your skin equates cleaner skin, think again. In fact because we don’t have the right tools at home, women are more prone to hurting their skin when they give themselves DIY facials. Multiply this by a hundred times over the course of your lifetime and you will understand why some women age superbly well while others have skin that looks old and rough by the time they hit 40.

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2. If something’s wrong, you’ll find out why.

Your skin changes over time depending on age, weather, and even hormones. It’s a good idea to have an expert who can help you address those changes, identify skin conditions, and educate you on how to treat them. That’s perhaps why it’s an added plus if your beautician is well-trained and have the rudimentary knowledge on skin conditions or if you are getting an in-clinic facial from professional aestheticians under the care of derms.

If you have great skin now, don’t trust that it will last forever! For example, lots of girls suffer from eczema in the winter and simply blame it on dryness. Not treating a serious condition can lead to long-term skin damage! Don’t also assume that your skin type stays the same throughout your life. I was personally shocked when I was told the “zits” on my cheeks which I had been zealously applying tea tree oil to were actually rosacea lesions when I went in for my facial. A spot on diagnosis and with the right treatment, the lesions were cleared within a week!

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3. You’re popping your zits wrong.

Don’t lie. We know you do it. (And we do, too.) But every time you squeeze a pimple, you’re risking acne scarring and dark marks. Regular, professional extractions will help keep the skin clear. It will also help prevent long-term damage you might be causing at home.

In fact, the goal of regular facials, I was told, was to circumvent these skin issues before they crop up. Regular deep cleansing with just the right dose of fruit acid washes can actually prevent clogged pores and pimples, negating the need for any last ditch extractions.

“Facials are essential to prevent imperfections,” concludes Dr Chua.

Read More: 5 of the Best ‘Skin-Vestments’ Your Skin Will Thank You for in 5 Years’ Time

4. There are some things you just can’t DIY.

Technology has advanced to such a stage that if you are going to the right facialist, you should be treated to all sorts of innovative aesthetic advancements that will bring your skin to the next level without you having to see a plastic surgeon. Take LED photobiomodulation for example; a good establishment would probably have a medical grade device that will deliver skin healing and boost skin radiance faster than you can say “glow”. “It’s also been proven to reduce pore size, stabilize oil production, and promote healthy cell growth” says Dr Chua Han Boon.

How about oxygen therapy? If you haven’t already tried it and swore by it, then you’ve got to give it a shot. It’s the latest way to get the pink of health back into your skin by using little blasts of pure oxygen to rejuvenate and reinvigorate skin. It also helps erase a multitude of skin sins from pollution to lack of sleep.

Unless you’ve got big bucks and the proper degree, you can’t get that kind of treatment at home!

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5. You’ll find your happy place.

There’s something about getting a facial that is deeply meditative. I swear that even with all the right equipment at home, I wouldn’t feel as recharged if I had to do it myself while juggling a million other home chores simultaneously. It’s also a great digital detox for me. And instead of paying for that meditation class, I found that having a facial is actually just as, if not more restorative, with skin benefits to show for the next day! According to Dr Chua, clients who experienced their O2 blush usually leave the clinic in high spirits, in part triggered by the breathing of pure oxygen as part of the facial therapy. Why is this important? Everyone knows stress can cause skin issues, so a facial can cure any breakouts and give you reason to take a few deep, cleansing breaths.

So what’s stopping you? Find a spa near you and get to relaxing! You’ll be glowing in no time.