Facials- what's the point?

[SM4713]

I've had several over the years- all gifted for birthdays/Christmas etc. They clean to remove make-up/dirt, but its never as clean as using cleanser and water. Then they massage and add moisturiser. It feels slow, and stretched out to fill the entire hour, yet its something I could do myself in 5mins.

What am I missing?

Maybe some people like them as a bit of ‘them’ time and find it all a very relaxing experience but I just felt the opposite and like it was an expensive fuss about nothing.

I kind of agree with you. Don’t get me wrong- I’ve had quite a few in my time, they’re very racing and feel like a nice treat but in reality I think it’s better value for money just to buy a decent face mask and enjoy it in a nice bath. I only book massages now.

The wonderful dropping off and walking yourself with a contented little snore.

Facial massage improves circulation, can include lymphatic drainage, can release tension, helps the way products like moisturiser are absorbed.

Personally I only go for facials that include steam & extractions, but the neck/shoulder/head massage is the best bit...

We're glorified primates. It's grooming. I bloody love it.

Walking? No Vitriol you test. WAKING

Facial massage tones and lifts your muscles and skin, it’s amazing.

You've had really poor facials !

I've had double cleanse , exfoliation , massage, steam , mask, toner , serum , retinol and moisturiser

A head , arm or foot massage whilst mask is on and leave with some free samples

Love every minute of it and feel very clean and pampered after

@anybloodyname I was minimising the OP rather than adding every step they do to save space. Maybe I have had bad ones? I just find someone within cm's of my face, breathing on me and rubbing my face- not at all relaxing!

@DobbyTheHouseElk Would you share the medical evidence that a facial lifts muscles and tones? I'd be really keen if it actually did! 😀

I like head rubs, massages, pedicures, nails etc, just trying to work out what people get from a facial? Maybe its just me?

I think a good facial massage reduces jaw tension that leads to tense lips etc that wrinkle. I haven't really benefitted from some but had one recently that really helped this tension and weeks later I can feel the benefit

I think you're either a person who loves this sort of stuff, or you're not. It's not really something you can half arse.

Personally, I'm in.

You sound rather stressed, you’d benefit from a massage or a facial. You have clearly been going to the wrong places.

Gladly I can evidence the results of facial massage.

I looked at myself a few months ago and thought 'blimey, you look grey and saggy.' I have a monthly facial at a local salon that's half an hour of cleaning, exfoliation and massage and I can see the difference after three of them (and the woman who treats me does a mean head massage as well). When I can afford it I'll be going for the works.

I LOVE having facials.

I don’t think there’s any point in the general ones

But there are ones with proper massage that really make your face look better for a couple days - so good for a big event if you’re feeling under par (helpfully I can’t remember the name of the one I’ve had)

Then there are specialist ones - like whatever Qu Camila had to sandblast her skin pre wedding, which are good for specific problems

But for relaxation I personally think a good massage is what better

I hate them. Stranger pawing at my face for an hour, it's worse than the hairdresser's.
I used to try them when I was younger/richer/ bought into all the twaddle in women's magazines - and I always emerged looking blotchy, greasy and worse than I when went in.
It would be very hard to look grateful for a voucher and I'd never use it.

I have one every six week and I have had lots of comments about how good my skin looks.
I agree that the massage seems to plump up your skin.

I think it's either something you enjoy or you don't. I have one every six weeks but almost purely because I find them really relaxing and like feeling pampered for an hour. The therapist I go to does a really good facial massage which I figure can't hurt and has the bonus of feeling amazing.

I get that for other people it would feel like an expensive lie down!

God I love facial massage, drains all the puff out of my face and makes my skin look lovely for a few days. Plus I find it so relaxing it's unreal

I don’t like them either OP. I find it impossible to relax while having one. And paying someone to rub lotions and potions into my face seems so superfluous to me. Especially when they really have no benefit to the skin.

I am a bit envious of those that find them relaxing. The idea of it is lovely. But nah. Not for me.

I find them really relaxing, more so than a massage. I go for that rather than any bearing on my skin to be honest

I've not had amazing ones either op although I'm going to try a hydra facial in the new year to suck the gunk out. I have good skincare routine but I'm still congested

I had the occasional one when i was younger and could never see the point. Then I had one aged 52, felt fab, and friends literally stood still and said 'OMG YOU LOOK AMAZING'.

Probably the answer would be to look fairly rough most of the time and they'll make more difference...

I have sensitive skin and I am very particular about it, so I am not letting anybody attack my face with their random lotions and potions!
I do love a good massage, though.
The PP talking about primates who like grooming is spot on, I think!

I like to go for the 30 mins back massage and then the 30 mins facial, they use Clarins products where I go and I normally wake myself with a little snore near the end.