The Ultimate Guide To Facials

Picture this — you're hoping to treat yourself to a day at the spa and have decided that a facial will make the day that much sweeter. The thought of someone applying a beautiful facial mask, incorporating steam, and addressing any pesky acne — sounds like a dream, right? But when you open the spa website to book your appointment, you're met with six, seven, or sometimes even 10 different facial options. There's a HydraFacial and a hydrating facial — are those the same thing just packaged differently? What on Earth is an LED facial? Do you really want to run the risk of an acupuncture facial and have needles sticking out of your face? These are just some of the questions you could be asking yourself, and they're all well and valid.

When booking a facial, it's important to gather a little knowledge before setting off on your skincare journey. First and foremost, you should identify what type of skin you have — is your complexion often dry? Do you deal with acne on a pretty regular basis? Are you prone to hyperpigmentation, or are you concerned about fine lines? These are all areas that can be addressed during a facial, but it's key to choose the right treatment to target your specific skin type and concerns. Get ready to take a deep dive into the world of skincare, because we've got the ultimate guide to facials.

Not to be confused with a HydraFacial — which we'll get to later — a hydrating facial is perhaps one of the more approachable facials on this list. It accomplishes exactly what it sounds like it would: replenishes the skin and gives it the moisture it's so desperately craving. 

As detailed by Renew Medical Spa, a hydrating facial is typically made up of seven different steps. First comes a thorough cleansing of the skin, followed by a toner. Next comes some kind of exfoliation, and then serums come into play. A mask is then applied to the skin, and you can usually expect some sort of massage. Then, your facial is wrapped up by some sort of protective product — think sunscreen and lip balm. This is a pretty easy, basic facial, but it certainly does the trick.

Renew Medical Spa further notes that the hydrating facial can have far more beneficial results than simply bringing moisture back to the skin. Of course, if your skin is in a rough patch and is flaky or irritated, the hydrating facial will be the solution you're looking for. But this treatment can also enhance your skin's overall appearance and texture (thanks to the exfoliating step) and can brighten your complexion. It's likely you'll see a decline in oil production, too, as your well-nourished skin won't be trying to overcompensate.

Here's where you can start to differentiate between facials that sound similar. While a hydrating facial and a HydraFacial might sound like the exact same thing, don't get them confused — they are very different. One involves soothing and hydrating, while the other involves a tiny skin vacuum — no, we're not kidding. As Allure points out, a HydraFacial is chosen by a facial enthusiast every 15 seconds — so it must be good, right?

A HydraFacial uses a "medical-grade hydradermabrasion device that carries out a patented three-part regimen — cleansing, exfoliating, and then infusing skin with intensive serums," Sameer Bashey, a dermatology instructor at UCLA, tells Allure of the popular process. But what exactly is hydradermabrasion?

The device is basically like a small vacuum that sucks out any dirt, grime, and yuckiness from the skin while also returning "potent actives" to the face. Basically, it's as if Dyson came out with a tiny contraption to leave your skin looking flawless. The great thing about a HydraFacial, explains dermatology professor Ellen Marmur, is that it's a great facial option for a variety of skin types (via Allure). "This is nice for teenagers with acne; adults with pimples, wrinkles, and hyperpigmentation; and for older patients with sun damage and even flaky pre-cancerous spots (as part of more serious treatments)," Marmur explains.

We're back to slightly more intimidating facials, but we promise that the microdermabrasion facial is well worth your consideration. As described by Healthline, the microdermabrasion facial is "a minimally invasive procedure used to renew overall skin tone and texture." This procedure utilizes a tool with a slightly rough exterior to slowly chip away at the skin's dead cells and surface layers. It can be likened to a small sanding device that's used on your skin.

While it may sound a little intense, microdermabrasion facials are typically safe for all skin tones and types. They can target a variety of skin issues, including acne and scarring from spots, hyperpigmentation, fine lines, wrinkles, large pores, dull skin, melasma, sun damage, and uneven skin tone. By shedding that outer layer of skin during a microdermabrasion facial, the face is left looking fresh, glowing, and more youthful.

As Healthline details, you will likely want to stay out of direct sunlight for a few days following your treatment, and it's best to avoid any exfoliating products in the days leading up to your treatment.

If your skin is looking dull, there's not much you can do about it at home. So, pop over to the day spa and get a brightening facial, which is pretty much just what it sounds like. The process will leave your skin looking sun-kissed, and what's not to love about that?

Detailed by Introlift Medical Spa, the brightening facial process consists of a number of steps. First and foremost, your skin will be subjected to a chemical peel. This may sound a little scary, but the chemical peel will get rid of the top layer of your skin, which is mostly dead skin cells and grime, and leave your face looking absolutely radiant. Following that step is something called radiofrequency skin tightening, and LED light therapy may be used as well.

To round out the brightening facial, a number of serums will be used to counteract any dullness in the skin. Vitamin A — which is used in retinol — will be applied to the face, followed by vitamin C, which will help reduce the appearance of fine lines and any scars. Why live with dull skin, when an hour in the spa will give the sun a run for its money?

There's almost nothing worse than waking up to a puffy face. Whether it's caused by allergies, lack of sleep, or a hangover, we all know what it's like to look like we've been stung by a million bees in the night. Cue the lymphatic massage facial, a process that drains built-up fluid from the face. First, though, we need to learn about the lymphatic system.

"The lymphatic system relies on muscle contraction, diet, exercise, and physical manipulation to function normally. Unlike the circulatory system, your lymphatic system doesn't have its own pump. That's where lymphatic massage comes in," esthetician Renée Rouleau explained to Mind Body Green. With that in mind, it's important to drain the lymphatic system manually — you may have seen gua sha techniques and jade roller videos aiming to do just that, but sometimes you need the pros to step in.

"For the skin, conditions like puffiness, acne, dryness, dullness, and even skin sensitivity can be improved and even resolved by simple lymphatic stimulation because it helps the body do what it's meant to do: heal," Rouleau continued. Bolstered by dermatologist Ava Shamban, who said the facial process can help alleviate inflammation and puffiness (via Mind Body Green), we're sure you're running — not walking — to get a lymphatic facial.