I was a facial newbie until yesterday.  (I could put it in different terms, but this is a family-friendly blog!)  Anyhoo, the eyebrow waxing was such a BIG EVENT that I couldn't cover all of the wonderfulness that a facial is in the same post.  It is the day after the brows and I'm feeling good!  But, on to the facial.  This post will be "Mythbusters: Facial style."  Guys, you totally know what I'm talking about.  Gals-this is why you can't get the TV remote on Wednesday nights.  Your men are BUSY watching the Discovery Channel.  Here we go. . .

Myth One:  Facials Hurt  BUSTED!

I always thought that getting a facial would be painful.  That is something I probably made up in my head for a reason not to get hooked on facials, which I am now.  They don't hurt a bit!  While "extraction" sounds like a scary word, it is more like a mosquito bite without the residual itch, which is to say, practically non-existent. I found my facial to be relaxing, soothing, refreshing, and made me glow all over.  It didn't hurt a bit!

Myth Two:  Your Face Must have a Problem to get a Facial   WRONG!

I thought facials were for people with really bad skin, had spent too much time in the sun, were wearing more wrinkles than they wanted, or had a lot of free time on their hands.  NOT SO MUCH!  As Marla said while I was lying there being pampered, a facial is good for all of those things, and it can really help your skin if you have issues, but first and foremost, facials are an excellent way to relax while doing something nice for yourself.  

I've mostly made a habit of getting pedicures at the Spa-that's the one treatment I frequently got before working with Head to Toe.  (Pedicure post soon!)  While I always found those to be relaxing, most pedicures take place in a nail salon, which has people around.  I'm ok with that, because I like to chat.  However, for relaxing, the soothing, candle-lit, room with soft music playing can't be beat.  I forgot to turn of my cell phone and I got a text.  Marla promptly found my phone, turned it off, and then, NOBODY COULD FIND ME.  It was PURE relaxation.  Forget about what it did to my face, I was content to lie on the comfy bed and not worry about work. 

Myth Three:  Facials just make you feel good   NOPE!

Sure, they do make you feel good, or else people wouldn't get them.  Why would you get a treatment that made you feel bad about yourself?  (Though, I confess to having pore freak-out when Marla handed me the magnifying mirror, because I don't look in those frequently!)  After the facial, I can say, without bias, that I was POSITIVELY GLOWING!  My face looked new!  That was awesome.  However, there's a lot more to facials than just looking good. 

Facials clean out your pores, make your skin healthier, remove dead skin, tone, brighten, etc.  Facials can help people with acne problems, or other skin issues.  They are part of good skin care. 

Myth Four:  Your Technician will just rub a mask on you and you could do that at home.  SORRY, but NO

When I walked into the treatment room, I noticed a shocking array of bottles and lights and implements and such.  But, I immediately forgot about that because I was supposed to get partially undressed and put on this robe-thingy, and I had never done that before except at the doctor, so that was NEW.  Anyway. . . 

Marla, and all of the Head to Toe technicians are trained in all elements of skin care and more, they have licenses, are required to take continuing education classes, and approach your skin as a clinician.  In addition to the various treatments (they use Skin Deep Cosmeceuticals in all of their treatments-which are, as of this writing, on sale at the Spa!) they evaluate your skin, extract clogged pores, massage your face, neck and shoulders, and can provide a variety of extra treatments for that added punch. 

You can add:

Vitamin C Treatment masks:  to reduce fine lines, restore elasticity, firmness and hydration

Glow treatment: to polish, exfoliate and remove impurities

LED light treatment:  to reduce fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin firmness and stimulate collagen production

Microdermabrasion treatment: to improve thick, oily skin, and diminish scars and discoloration

Eye-Firming Mask: to hydrate and soften fine lines around the eye

Waxing:  Read about that in the previous post

Tinting:  to enhance your natural color

I didn't have time for those, but I WILL be back!

Final Verdict:  The facial was DELIGHTFUL. It was relaxing, definitely enhanced my skin, and the day after, I still feel "new and improved."  This treatment is perfect for pretty much everyone!  Go to relax away from everything.  Go to get your skin polished and buffed.  Go if you need help with oily, dry, sun-damaged or acne prone skin.  Just GO!  You will definitely be glad you did!