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?

A bog standard facial is a deep cleanse, exfoliate, light face and shoulder massage, finished off with a mask. You can get different ones that do different things, best is to go in and ask what would be best for your skin type. Also different places use different brand products so best to find one that uses products you like.
They're more a treat for relaxation and a bit of tlc for your skin than anything else.

PS - extraction also means removing blackheads and, to my surprise, at one point meant the therapist's gloved thumb up my nose.

😂😂😂 Gloved thumb up nose.

I have strange blackhead that seems to have white film over it. I've tried squeezing but nothing, hot flannel etc etc.

Ophelia that looks brilliant and v v good price, I'm definitely going to get that thank you.

I love a facial. Had my first one last year and have had a few more since. The salon near me use Clarins, have a lovely heated bed, dim lights and some nice music. It’s so relaxing and my skin always looks superb afterwards, although my hair ends up like a burst couch. I’m booked in for a hot stone massage next month which I’ve never had before either.

I've had a few in different places and they were all pointless. Someone else putting cream on your face and taking it off alowly with cotton wool lots of times.

They can vary hugely. I see someone once every 6 weeks and she has transformed my already quite good skin into extremely good skin.

I have light peels and about 3 different masks. A lot of very very good massaging of my face, neck, head and shoulders. I look ‘lifted’ afterwards and she does a lots of lymphatic drainage, so my face is less puffy.

I would take a very good facial over a massage any day of the week. The cleansing aspect is the least beneficial. It’s the peels, massage and drainage that make the difference. But she ain’t cheap - around £150 for 90mins.

I had one the other week for a treat ; not had one for years and years.
It was nice but it didn't make that much difference and I felt a bit lightheaded afterwards which is a side effect I wasn't expecting! Apparently it drains your lymph nodes and makes you feel a bit odd for a few minutes!

Just trying to be helpful with the face shaving thing. Some people don't realise and then are annoyed when the stubble comes through.

It makes your make up go on loads better but it does come back quickly.

@kjhkj

My skin just looks really dull at the moment so I'm hoping a good scrape will make it look a bit brighter.

I also have blonde fuzz including on my top lip, which DH calls my "walrus"

And I would try and find a specialist who is not tied to one brand. Mine uses a mixture of Skinscuticals, Alumience, Decleor and Omoravikza - you book the time and she decides what your skin needs based on what she sees.

I am also super hairy with white "down" and added to that am perimenopausal and its all now coming through thick and beardy too. I had a couple of sessions of dermaplaning and now use a razor and liquid gold every day.

They vary a lot. The ones in spas and places like that do tend to be more for relaxation, but others can be excellent. At the place I go to you have to have a consultation first where they assess the condition of your skin and then the treatments are based on that, so the facial is personalised for your skin. They’ve really changed my skin for the better, and I had a decent skincare routine beforehand.

Obviously there’s a price difference between a good facial by someone who knows what they are doing, and someone who is basically washing your face for you, but for me it’s 100% worth it.

I've been on spa days over the years which have had facials included and I'm really not that bothered about them.

I've had various different types from Guinot, with the funny electric roller things to cleansing, relaxing, aromatherapy and so on.

Basically someone spends 30 to 50 mins cleaning your face with a variety of different lotions and potions. Some of them will do some spot squeezing. Some of them do the laying on of warm cloths or application of some kind of pack. Some of them do a bit of facial massage.

I always look very clean afterwards and then break out in spots for about 5 days afterwards - not rampant acne, just pimples.

I've never had the more aggressive facial peels or dermabrasion. I expect they probably have more significant and longer lasting effects, but whilst the ones I went on were quite pleasant, I'd rather have a deep tissue massage on other bits of my body.

I think caci ones are well worth it. Bit meh about others.

Buy an led face mask instead?.

The best facials are the ones which come with a shoulder & scalp massage

I have one with extraction (ouch!) twice a year and it makes a big difference to blocked pores and general softness.

@0pheIiaBaIIs I bought The Ordinary product on the basis of your recommendation and just used it. Was a bit taken aback by the resemblance to blood! I used it on my chest area where I get spots as well as my face so ended up looking like Patrick Bateman on a spree 😂

I think bog standard ones aren’t really worth it. Though I had a course before my wedding and skin really perked up so maybe if you do them every month it has an impact.

Caci are good as are hydrafacials but they are expensive.

I love a head and shoulder massage. Though doesn't do much for your hairstyle.

I have one once a month. She does all sorts but I don’t really care of the outcome, my skin is in good condition - for me the draw is an hour and a quarter of bliss every 4 weeks. Lying down on a heated bed with a duvet or blanket on and just switching off!!