Never had a facial, what am I missing what do they do?

[Gobbolinocat]

What do they do? Squeeze black heads? Get rid of lines, what's the point of them?

I've booked in for a microdermabrasion for the first time, hopefully its going to remove blackheads, clean pore and it also removes all your face fluff which apparently makes your skin look smoother and helps make up sit better.
I'm hoping its going to magically make me look amazing!

I think facials also help relax the muscles.

I had one once which was meant to “draw out impurities”. It felt nice, it was nice to lie down with my eyes closed for 50 minutes, and I’m sure my skin looked a bit fresher for a couple of days afterwards but not convinced it did much else. Watching with interest re microdermabrasion though if it works, I have a lot of stubborn blackheads even though I religiously cleanse and tone and don’t use soap.

they stick cleanser on your face, rub it in, take it off, exfoliate, take it off and then maybe something like a mask, leave it on, take it off and finish with face oils. they play relaxing music and burn candles. its typically just a relaxation thing more than seeing any real benefit if youve already got a decent skin regime IMO

It's basically just a pamper session where they plaster stuff on your face then remove it.

I'd never had one either until last weekend. I was considerably underwhelmed. I cleanse and moisturise my skin anyway and fortunately have no spots or anything so it didn't really do anything apart from make me feel oily.

I wouldn't want fluff removed in case it grows back worse..

I had a facial for the first time recently. Very relaxing and felt great afterwards but don't think it made a difference to my skin or anything, just a nice thing to do. Bit of escapism for an hour.

In that case massage might be better!

I had the best facial ever a few weeks ago... first time in a couple of decades I've had extractions, my skin was amazingly clear and bright for a week after... got all the under-skin congestion out

They’re really not essential, if you’re going for a spa day or something I’d always pick a body massage or a pedi or something instead.

I booked a course of 3 microdermabrasion sessions through Groupon
Didn’t make a jot of difference

This thread has inspired me to book my first facial. My local place is offering £10 off a "dermaplaning" facial so I've booked myself in.

This is the first weekend in two months that I have to myself as I'm working full time and doing my Masters so it will be nice to be pampered!

They do nothing a decent face mask won't except cost more money. And the word pamper gets bandied about a lot - which makes me tense and annoyed and probably more in need of botox to smooth out the grimace lines.

It's an expensive lie-down with added cleanser and panpipe music

Ha, funny 😁.

Lord, what's 'extraction'?

This thread has inspired me to book my first facial. My local place is offering £10 off a "dermaplaning" facial so I've booked myself in.

You do realise dermaplaning is just shaving your face? So they'll shave your face and then put some soothing gel onto it.

extraction means they pop your spots

I've had a few and have always been underwhelmed.

I started using a peel from The Ordinary a couple of months ago, six quid a bottle and I've still not used up a whole one, and that's done more for my skin than any facial or fancy pants lotion potion ever did.

What is skin congestion?

I second the recommendation for a massage or pedicure instead if you fancy a bit of pampering.

Going to investigate that.

Dm had brilliant skin and didn't do anything bar slash cold water etc. I know it's mostly genes.

But I've seen some local therapists offering various things I don't know what they are but I thought I'd try it.
Now I'm not so sure.

Opheliaballs

Which one do you use, had a look and there's loads on amazon.

I've had 2 amazing facials on spa weekends and would always pick it over body massage. From what PP say they appear to vary greatly. It does involve putting stuff on and taking off again but mine also included head neck and shoulder massage. Didn't notice any difference in my skin but whole experience was very relaxing.

You do realise dermaplaning is just shaving your face? So they'll shave your face and then put some soothing gel onto it.

Yes, I do realise that thanks. It removes all the fine hair and dead skin, then I'll get a face/head massage and a mask.

I know I could do it myself with a Bic disposable and a mask from Boots but I'd rather lay back for an hour and have someone else rub my face.

@Gobbolinocat this one

Free postage from there, too.

I noticed a difference after the first use. It's reduced acne scarring, got rid of spots/milia/congestion and smoothed lines. My skin looks much brighter and fresher and makeup goes on much more smoothly, although I hardly wear foundation anymore because I don't need it! Even DH noticed the difference and he's started using it too

I like a facial - I think they are quite good value (within the context of beauty treatments) because they usually give you a massage at the same time while some of the goo sets, or whatever.

Don't let them do the one where they roll a spiky wheel over your face (think this is called CACI) because it's horrible. Extraction is really satisfying if you are of a sporny bent. Dermalogica are my favourite.

The thing that I find stops them being relaxing is if the therapist is doing massagey movements that are meant to be symmetrical but are a bit off-set. That winds me up properly. I'm a fusspot.