Facials are an enjoyable part of self care, but often one that men can avoid.
Caring for your skin has nothing to do with gender so it’s funny that facials can be associated with women. You probably go to the gym and exercise your muscles, so why wouldn’t you take the equivalent care of your precious skin?
Despite any reservations men have about getting facials, after you’ve experienced your first facial treatment, there is truly no going back.
To shave or not to shave before a facial treatment?
During a facial, you’ll most likely experience an exfoliating treatment. Shaving is also a form of exfoliation, so if you have sensitive skin, it might be too much for your face to endure both shaving exfoliation and facial treatment exfoliation on the same day.
It’s probably best to shave the day before, then your skin isn’t too fresh but your facial hair isn’t so long that it’s inhibiting product from penetrating your skin.
Ultimately it’s a personal choice whether to shave or not before a facial, so do whatever works for you.
The benefits of a facial
A deeper clean
A daily skincare routine should keep your skin feeling healthy but every now and then, it’s great to give it a deeper clean. The average duration of a facial is 50 minutes, all of which are focused on your face, neck and shoulders.
Most standard facials will include a thorough cleansing of the skin, exfoliation to remove dead skin cells and reduce pore size and facial massage to promote blood flow. The final step is usually a cream or serum of some sort, so while you often leave looking a little shiny, it delivers a massive surge of hydration to your skin.
It’s a great way to learn about your skin
Everyone’s skin has different needs. Some suffer from dryness, while others are dealing with oiliness, acne or congestion.
During a facial, the beauty therapist will assess your skin and give you feedback after the treatment has finished. They will usually also recommend you products that specifically target your problem areas, but it’s completely up to you whether you purchase them or not.
Employing a targeted skincare routine with products suited to you will help your skin to thrive in the long term.
It’s unbelievably relaxing
While the thought of someone poking and prodding your face might not sound appealing, a facial is completely relaxing.
When it comes to massage, your face, shoulders and chest is the focus area. Some therapists will also massage your scalp but they usually ask before they do this.
The treatment room is usually dimly lit and comforting, twinkly music fills the space. Sometimes there is a diffuser in the room, which releases fresh smelling scents. The environment is designed to help you relax, recharge and forget the outside world for a little while.
Getting a facial treatment is the perfect form of self care as it combines massage, relaxation and it’s great for the health of your skin. It’s a win, win, win.
What to expect post-facial
The best outcome of a facial is hydrated and healthy looking skin but it’s extremely common to look a little flushed after having a facial. This is because the treatment encourages blood flow to the face, giving you a rosy glow. If you’re experiencing beetroot-coloured redness, a reaction to a skincare product might have occurred.
You can also experience a few breakouts after a facial. Your skin can undergo a purging period where it releases toxins (especially if you’ve had a peel treatment or something similar). While annoying, keep in mind that this is temporary and will usually clear itself up in a couple of weeks.