From Facials to Peels: A Guide to Different Types of Skin Spa Treatments

Author

Dr. Stephen Cosentino

If you’re less than satisfied with the face staring back at you in the mirror, you could be a good candidate for a facial skin treatment. But with so many options to choose from, how do you know which is right for you?

Here’s what you need to know about the most popular types of facials.

Top Skin Spa Treatments: What to Know About Each

Knowledge is power. To make an informed decision about the best facial treatments for your needs, you need to know the differences between them and how they work together in a

complete facial treatment program.

Once that’s done, make sure your chosen provider has completed the appropriate facial aesthetic coursework. The risk of side effects, complications, or plain undesirable results increases if you work with someone who doesn’t know what they’re doing.

Finally, know that facial treatments can be easily combined to produce more personalized results. This is another reason why it’s important to work with an experienced provider; they know how the various treatments complement one another.

Microdermabrasion

Microdermabrasion treatment is a cleansing exfoliation treatment that gently removes the outer layer of skin, whisks away dead skin cells, and reduces uneven skin tone contrast. It may temporarily reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles as well.

Microdermabrasion is appropriate for a variety of skin types. It’s usually done with a diamond-tipped wand, although some providers use special exfoliating crystals. It can be repeated monthly.

Chemical Peel

Chemical peel treatment uses lactic, salicylic, or glycolic acid (and sometimes all three) to exfoliate and rejuvenate the facial skin. Salicylic acid is best for oily or acne-prone skin, while glycolic acid is best for smoothing fine lines. Treatment can be repeated as often as monthly, but many patients wait longer between sessions as repeated treatment can dry the skin.

Laser/Light Therapy

Targeted laser and light therapies use intense pulsed light (IPL) or special LEDs to stimulate collagen production and reduce facial imperfections such as acne scars. Although they’re regarded as noninvasive, side effects and complications can occur, so make sure your provider works under a certified laser safety officer (LSO) or is one themselves.

HydraFacial

Similar to a chemical peel, HydraFacial treatment uses specially formulated acid to buff impurities from the skin, followed immediately by a suction treatment to whisk them away. The provider then applies anti-aging serum with hyaluronic acid, peptides, and other active ingredients. Because it works well on oily skin, HydraFacial is a top skin care treatment for patients prone to acne.

European Facial

A European facial is a “classic” facial treatment that features traditional exfoliating scrubs, hydrating masks, and facial massage. It’s often the “base treatment” for more comprehensive skin care routines.

Hungarian Facial

A Hungarian facial is a variation on the standard European facial. It typically involves herbal treatments and a proprietary massage technique to finish.

Oxygen Facial

An oxygen facial uses the abrasive power of elemental oxygen to cleanse and rejuvenate the face. Oxygen is believed to improve skin absorbency, making the face more receptive to other facial treatments and prolonging their results.