10 Steps of a Spa Facial

While each spa has its own treatment protocols, certain features are common in most professional facials. Meant to cleanse, improve and pamper your skin, spa facials relax and rejuvenate.

Cleanse

Your esthetician will begin your facial by removing any makeup. Once your skin is bare, she will massage cleansing milk -- or cream, gel or lotion -- into your face, neck and décolleté. Using facial sponges, cloths or cotton pads, she will remove the cleanser with warm water and pat your skin dry 2.

Consultation

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Your eyes will be covered with moistened pads for the next step. Using a lighted magnifying glass, she will evaluate your skin. She may lightly pinch your skin to check for elasticity or press on it to check thickness. During this phase, your esthetician may discuss her findings with you and ask you about your skin care regimen and your expectations for the facial 2.

Exfoliation

Now that your esthetician understands your skin care needs, she will choose an exfoliation cream, gel, mask, gommage or peel to use. Certain exfoliation products, such as enzyme peels, require the product to be left on your face to dissolve the plugs that cause blackheads. Other products require either manual or machine stimulation.

Steam

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Depending upon the exfoliation product used, steam will either be applied to your face during that phase or after the product has been removed. Some spas may use heated, moist towels instead of steam. The moist heat loosens plugs and encourages skin to sweat out any impurities that may be caught in pores.

Extraction

During the extraction phase, your esthetician will remove blackheads and, possibly, whiteheads. Usually, she will use a lighted magnifying glass to examine your skin. Your esthetician may use a blackhead extractor, a stainless steel instrument that allows blackheads to be gently expressed. Some estheticians choose to wrap their fingers with cotton to protect your skin while manually expressing the plugs.

Massage

Facial massage stimulates and lubricates skin 2. Your esthetician may use a massage oil or lotion during this process. Depending upon her training and the treatment, she may massage your neck, shoulders, décolleté and/or scalp as well. You may notice that your sinuses feel clearer and that you feel deeply relaxed after the massage.

Mask

Depending upon your skin’s needs, your esthetician will choose a mask for you. If your skin is oily, she may choose a clay-based mask to draw off the excessive sebum. If your skin is dehydrated, she’ll choose one that replenishes moisture. Masks are highly specific and are formulated to treat specific skin care needs.

More Massage

For the 10 minutes or so that you wear the mask, your esthetician may perform a massage on your hands and arms, your feet and calves and/or your scalp.

Serum

After your mask is removed, your esthetician will likely apply a specialty serum to your skin. Some spas charge extra for this step, while others include it as part of the facial. Serums include those for aging skin, for blemished skin and for sensitive skin.

Final Touches

Before sending you out the door, your esthetician will apply a skin-specific cream or gel to your skin. She may also apply an eye gel and/or lip treatment cream.