Facials – are they even needed?

The global facials treatment market stands USD 1231 million in 2024. The market is expected to grow by over 7% by 2029 to USD 1749 million, according to a market data forecast report.

Not everyone includes facials in there regular routines, but statistics are showing that they are rising in popularity.

A professional may recommend a course of facials alongside your regular skin routine to help you with your skin concerns.

There a different types of facials, there’s the old school steam and extraction facials, the fancy gadget facials, or facials targeting specific concerns.

What Are Facials?

A non-invasive skin treatment performed by a skin care practitioner, often tailored to your skins condition. They can involve cleansing, exfoliation, moisturise and hydration of the skin.

While it might seem strange to pay someone to give your face a clean, here are some reasons for why you should include facials in your routine:

1. Deep Cleanse
   • Blocked pores can cause blackheads, whiteheads, congested and dull looking skin. As well as, hyperpigmentation, acne and making it look more aged than it actually is. This can happen overtime from make up not being completely removed, pollution, diet and hormones causing excess sebum.
   • A deep cleansing facial unclogs your pores, making your at-home skin routine more effective, allowing products to be absorbed easily.
2. Instant Glow
   • Regular facials can rejuvenate the skin, heal years of sun damage and increasing collagen production. They can reduce the appearance of pores, this can give an instant filtered effect without the need for make up.
3. Exfoliation
   • Facials with gentle skin peels remove a layer of dead skin cells to reveal fresh new skin. They even out skin tone and textured skin. Peels can also reduce the appearance of fine lines. Not only does this improve the health of the skin in general, but also provides a smooth base for make up application.
4. Self-care
   • They are the perfect self care, they can be for anyone. However a facial can be the perfect lunchtime treat for working professionals or busy mothers. It’s time you take out for yourself and leaves you feeling pampered!

Types Of Facials

There are different types of facials and it can be very intimidating for a newbie going into a spa or salon for a treatment.

A large number of facials reflects the evolution of this industry. With new scientific discoveries leading to new treatments, involving new gadgets. The mere facial has become much more sophisticated.

I have been to many different spas and salons, and the staff is usually very knowledgable and helpful. When in doubt ask for advice and talk about your concerns, this will also help you determine if you are in the right place.

I have provided a summary of popular facials below:

Standard Facials

The classic treatment usually consists of the following:

Stages	Purpose
Cleansing	Removing makeup or other dirt
Steaming	Softens skin and opens pores
Extractions	Extract blackheads and whiteheads
Exfoliation	Removes a layer of dead skin cells from the surface of the skin
Skin Treatment	A mask or serums are applied to the skin to address your skin concerns.
Moisturise	Softens and moistens the skin
Massage	Can be a relaxing massage, or a lymphatic drainage massage of the the face and neck

At the end of the treatment the specialist should guide you with aftercare and provide you with you products to purchase that can help you with your skin concerns.

These sorts of facials can be very relaxing minus the extractions, in my experience, this led to my skin “purging” a few days later. They warned that this would happen due to the bacteria leaving my skin. Once that cleared up, my skin did have a glow. The massage was definitely the best part of the facial.

The Hydrafacial Facials

Social media has highly recommended the Hydrafacial, making it an extremely popular treatment. This skin resurfacing treatment uses a patented tool, shaped like a wand. It works like a vacuum, opening pores to get a more effective cleanse.

It involves the following steps:

1. Exfoliation
2. Chemical peel
3. Extractions
4. Hyaluronic acid serum application
5. Lip and eye boosters are an extra

Some people claim that this is the perfect facial before a special event. There is no downtime and literally leaves your skin glowing! I have had this treatment in the past, and to be honest I couldn’t see the hype… This could be because my skin needed a deeper cleansing facial or would have benefited from multiple facials.

Chemical Peels

Applying a chemical solution containing acids causes the skin to shed one or more layers, depending on its strength. This reveals new skin, removes skin damage, improving the skins tone and texture.

Chemical peels vary in strength, the higher the strength, the more substantial the effect and the longer the recovery time.

Some of the common acids found in chemical peels:

Acids	Purpose
Salicylic Acid	Clears acne, blackheads and whiteheads by unclogging pores
Lactic Acid	Used for smoothening rough skin texture, good for sensitive skin
Glycolic Acid	Anti-ageing – Boosts the production of collagen
Azelaic Acid	Suitable for those with sensitive skin, or those who are pregnant. Clears redness and evens skin tone

LED Light Therapy

Light therapy can treat many skin conditions by entering the skin layers. Different wavelengths, give different colours, which enters the skin at various depths, giving it several uses:

LED Light	Purpose
Red Light	The ‘anti-aging light’, travels deepest into the skin and reduces inflammation, stimulating the production of collagen
Blue Light	The acne one – works the top layer of the skin and works by healing acne skin and braking down acne causing bacteria
Yellow Light	Less popular than the other two, this one works by reducing hyperpigmentation.

Dermablading

Using a small blade removes the top layer of skin and facial hair, like the dreaded ‘peach fuzz,’ creating a smoother surface. This technique also provides an excellent base for serums, allowing them to absorb more effectively into the deeper layers of the skin.

I have had dermablading done once, very effective at removing the micro hairs from my face. It turns out I do not have as much as I thought I would, my hair is however very dark which is why it shows up on my skin. Its not a treatment I felt the need to repeat.

How Many Facials?

You need regular facials to maintain your skin’s upkeep, depending on your skin concerns. Being regular gives consistent results and once you reach your desired result you can just have a maintenance facial less regularly.

It’s all about the skin care routine you keep for yourself at home, to make sure you keep the results of the facial, you need to make changes to your routines. This includes, diet, sleep, as well as what products you use on a daily basis. Your skin care practitioner will advise you on products to use in between facials.

One thing to point out, it is important that you do your research and go to a reputable skin care practitioner. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. An ethical practitioner should work with you by advising you on whats best for you without any sales pressure.

So Are Facials needed?

100% yes! If you haven’t had a facial yet, I highly recommend booking one. Facials are essential for the overall health of your skin. A deep cleanse also clears the surface to better absorb all the expensive skincare products you buy. The products will work better and you will reach your skin goals quicker. So if you think about it, facials actually save you money!