The Beauty Affairs Guide to 7 Common Beauty Treatments
The only thing as exciting as buying a new luxury skincare product has to be making an appointment for a skin-boosting beauty treatment! There are so many to choose from - here’s our guide to some common beauty treatments, demystified.
What Is a Facial?
A facial is a pretty broad term - but at the most basic level, a facial involves deep cleaning of your skin, exfoliation, a facial massage, and a mask of some type. Depending on your skin type, extractions might be involved too (more on that later). Your beauty therapist will usually tailor the facial to your exact needs, and can include other steps like chemical peels or dermaplaning - it all ultimately depends on your skin goals!
Consistent facials alongside luxury skincare can be the key to unlocking your best skin ever in the hands of a professional.
Kiehl’s Calendula & Aloe Soothing Hydration Masque | $71
A soothing mask like this is perfect for an at-home ‘facial’ self-care session!
What Is a Chemical Peel?
Despite their name, chemical peels don’t involve any peeling - at least during the process of a peel. The reason they’re called peels is that they tend to cause some pretty significant peeling of dead skin in the days after the procedure!
Chemical peel solutions are made of highly concentrated Alpha Hydroxy Acids, Beta Hydroxy Acids, and other skincare ingredients such as Retinoic Acid and Hydroquinone. They’re typically best for brightening hyperpigmentation, reducing the appearance of acne scars, boosting collagen production, and diminishing the look of fine lines and wrinkles.
SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion | $121
This exfoliating toner has smaller concentrations of the same beneficial ingredients as chemical peels.
What Is Dermal Rolling?
Sometimes called microneedling or dermarolling, this involves creating tiny, tiny punctures in your skin that switch your skin’s collagen-producing cells into overdrive. Boosting collagen production brightens dark spots and plumps out wrinkles, as well as potentially diminishing the look of enlarged pores.
A milder version of this procedure can be done at home, but professional-strength microneedling yields faster results. That doesn’t mean the at-home version isn’t worth it - it’s probably all for the best that it’s not as strong as what you’d find at the beauty therapist!
Lonvitalité Dermal Roller | $59.95This dermal roller is the kind you can use at home to boost your beauty routine.
What Is Dermaplaning?
Dermaplaning is the process of shaving off the uppermost layer of dead skin, taking any hairs and pore-clogging dead skin cells with it. Beauty professionals use ultra-sharp blades - much sharper than eyebrow razors - to perform this beauty treatment. The result?
Glowing skin, better makeup application and an overall radiance that you didn’t have before! Dermaplaning can also help your skincare absorb into the skin faster, since there are fewer dead skin cells in the way.
Guerlain Orchidée Impériale Rich Cream | $610
A rich moisturiser like this is ideal for nurturing skin post-dermaplaning.
What Are Extractions?
You know those pimple-popping videos? Well, they’re all basically videos of extractions - beauty therapists using expert tools and techniques to relieve blackheads and acne on your skin for a super-deep clean. These are usually recommended for those with acne-prone skin that need a little bit of help clearing congestion.
Extractions can feel a little uncomfortable, but they’re crucial to helping maintain clearer skin. Properly done extractions also minimise the risks of acne scarring and PIH - which is why you should always leave any pimple popping to the pros.
Foreo Luna 3 For Combination Skin | $299
This ultrasonic cleansing brush helps to keep skin clean and clear, preventing pores from getting clogged.
What Is Microdermabrasion?
Think of microdermabrasion as microscopic exfoliation for your skin - a professional beauty therapist uses a handheld tool that buffs your skin with an ultra-fine powder, usually made from crystals but some microdermabrasion systems even use diamond powder for a super effective microdermabrasion session.
Microdermabrasion helps to rejuvenate skin, supporting collagen production and fading the look of acne scars. It’s a treatment that helps with almost every single skin concern out there!
La Prairie Cellular Mineral Face Exfoliator | $215
While not as strong as microdermabrasion, regular physical exfoliation like this scrub from La Prairie keeps your skin super glowy in between appointments!
What Is LED Therapy?
LED therapy is the most sci-fi option on this list - and that’s especially true when you consider some versions of light therapy were first created to help support growing plants space. LED light therapy influences skin with different wavelengths of light, each with its own benefits for your skin.
The different wavelengths are able to penetrate to deeper levels of the skin, stimulating collagen fibres, reducing inflammation, and even zapping pesky acne-causing bacteria.
Foreo UFO | $299
Harness the power of LED light therapy with this beauty tool from Foreo!
Still trying to create your beauty routine? Try our skincare quiz!
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