All about Facials: Skin Care and Treatment

Most of us know that getting a facial done is as simple as going to the parlour, spending a few hours in the presence of someone who claims that they will make us beautiful and get a wad of greens for their services! But then, one of the joys of womanhood is taking the time to pamper ourselves so we can face each new day looking and feeling our best.

Facial skin care and treatment
Our skin is our largest organ, performing several functions, including protecting us from invasion by foreign substances and serving as the transfer point for the release of toxins from our bodies. Facials are deep skin treatments that cleanse, rehydrate and rejuvenate the skin, apart from minimizing skin blemishes, acne, dry skin and, of course, wrinkles. Facials vary depending on your skin type, the kind of treatment you've chosen, the products used and the person's age. However, it is advisable to start having facials in your late 20's.

Facial skin care and beauty products
The skin provides an honest mirror of our inner health and well-being. It is thus especially important to use only natural, gentle ingredients on our skin whenever possible. Application to the skin of fresh, natural products such as essential oils, plant waters (also called "hydrosols") and cold pressed unscented oils helps maintain a youthful, glowing complexion.

Essential oils and hydrosols are the fragrant liquids that are distilled from different plant parts, such as flower petals; herbs leaves and tree barks, and are fundamental components of any solid, natural skin care regime. Cold pressed unscented oils are extracted from various fruits, nuts and seeds, and include olive oil, sweet almond oil, avocado oil and jojoba oil. Used in tandem, essential oils, hydrosols and cold pressed unscented oils work together to soothe and nourish the skin, encouraging a healthful, radiant complexion.

Benefits of facials and facial massage
Facials involve a cleansing procedure, a massage and steam, and the application of a face mask. What they help to do is remove the dead, dull outer layer of cells that make up the skin's surface or epidermis along with pollutants. The massage, which is an important part of a facial, helps blood circulation, which in turn aids lymphatic drainage (the removal of toxins and waste from the body). A facial massage also relaxes the facial muscles and is very important to delay the onset of wrinkles.

The face is steamed during a facial for two main reasons. Firstly, steam helps the skin absorb cream better. Secondly, it helps in softening blackheads and whiteheads so that they can be removed easily. The application of a face mask in the end helps tone and clarifies the skin. Face masks are also used to treat dry and acne-ridden skin.

Different types of facials
* A basic clean up
* Normal facials
* Special facials
* Bio-lift facials
* AHA (Alpha Hydroxy Acid) facials
* Paraffin facials
* Anti-oxidant and pollution-fighting facials
* Acne Facials
* Collagen Facials
* Aromatherapy Facial
* Galvanic Facial
* Gold Facial