A Clinical Guide To A Professional Facial 

A professional facial is not simply a cosmetic treatment or a relaxing experience. When performed correctly, it is a structured skin treatment designed to assess the condition of the skin, address specific concerns and support its overall health and function.

At The Emporium Treatment Clinic in Marylebone, London, every facial begins with an assessment of the skin. Treatment is then selected according to the individual’s skin type, condition, concerns and objectives, rather than following a standardised protocol. All Bespoke Facials are adapted for men’s skin.

Key Points

Professional facials should be tailored to the individual condition of the skin.

Skin assessment is an essential part of determining the most appropriate treatment.

Cleansing and exfoliation prepare the skin for subsequent active treatments.

Professional extractions may be used where congestion or blocked pores are present.

Advanced facials can incorporate Chemical Peels, Radio Frequency, LED, Oxygen Therapy and regenerative skincare.

Consistent professional treatment, combined with appropriate homecare, can help maintain and improve skin quality over time.

Why Is A Professional Facial Different?

The skin is constantly exposed to environmental factors, including UV radiation, pollution, changes in temperature and lifestyle influences. These can contribute to dehydration, sensitivity, congestion, pigmentation, impaired barrier function and premature visible ageing.

A professional facial allows these factors to be assessed and addressed systematically.

Rather than applying the same products and techniques to every client, the treatment can be modified according to the skin’s current condition. This is particularly important because skin can change considerably over time and may respond differently depending on factors such as age, hormones, medication, previous aesthetic procedures and homecare.

Skin Consultation & Assessment

The treatment begins with a detailed consultation and assessment of the skin.

Visible concerns such as dehydration, pigmentation, congestion, redness, uneven texture and loss of firmness are evaluated. 

Previous treatments, current skincare, lifestyle and treatment objectives are also considered.

This information enables the aesthetician to establish which combination of products, exfoliation, techniques and technologies is most appropriate.

For clients requiring a completely individualised treatment, our Bespoke Facials can be adapted according to the skin’s condition on the day.

Cleansing & Skin Preparation

The skin is thoroughly cleansed to remove make-up, SPF, excess sebum, environmental pollutants and surface debris.

Effective cleansing is an important part of treatment preparation. It provides a clean surface for subsequent products and allows the aesthetician to assess the skin more accurately.

The cleansing stage may also help identify areas of dryness, sensitivity, congestion or uneven texture that require particular attention during the treatment.

Exfoliation

Exfoliation removes accumulated superficial dead skin cells and can improve the appearance and feel of the skin.

The method used depends on the individual’s skin condition. This includes a specific professional exfoliating product whether chemical, natural, grain or mechanical.

The objective is to improve skin texture and luminosity while maintaining the integrity of the skin barrier. Exfoliation should therefore be controlled and appropriate to the individual rather than unnecessarily aggressive.

Professional exfoliation targeted approach is required for concerns such as pigmentation, dullness, dryness, uneven texture or signs of photo-ageing.

Professional Extractions

Where congestion, comedones or blocked pores are present, professional extractions may be incorporated into the treatment.

Extractions should be performed using careful techniques to minimise unnecessary trauma and inflammation.

A deep-cleansing facial may therefore be particularly beneficial for clients experiencing congestion or an accumulation of dead skin cells and sebum.

However, extractions are not appropriate for every skin type and should form part of an individual assessment rather than being automatically included in every facial.

Targeted Treatment

The target treatment phase is determined by the findings of the consultation and skin assessment.

Depending on the individual requirements, the focus may be on:

Hydration & barrier support

Pigmentation & uneven skin tone

Congestion & blemishes

Sensitivity & inflammation

Collagen support & firmness

Texture & cellular renewal

Photo-ageing

Environmental damage

Overall skin quality & resilience

Advanced Bespoke Facial treatments may incorporate technologies such as Oxygen Therapy, LED, Radio Frequency or other clinically orientated modalities where appropriate.

Radiofrequency, for example, uses controlled thermal energy to heat the deeper layers of the skin and can be incorporated into treatment programmes designed to rejuvenate the skin.

Oxygen Therapy provides a calm, soothing, healing benefit, along with hydrating and rejuvenating the skin.

Active & Regenerative Skincare

The choice of topical skincare is another important component of a professional facial.

High-performance professional treatment products can be selected according to the skin’s requirements, providing ingredients designed to hydrate, brighten, calm, protect or support skin renewal.

More advanced protocols may incorporate exosome-based topical skincare as part of a regenerative approach to improving the appearance and quality of the skin.

These treatments are particularly relevant when the objective extends beyond temporary radiance and focuses on supporting longer-term skin quality.

Mask & Skin Recovery

Following the active targeted treatment stage, an appropriate mask is applied according to the skin’s condition.

The purpose may be to provide hydration, reduce the appearance of redness, replenish the skin or support the skin barrier following exfoliation or other active treatments.

At Emporium Treatment Clinic, Oxygen Therapy is commonly applied at this stage of the facial to aid skin healing.

This stage also gives the skin an opportunity to settle before the final skincare products are applied.

Serum, Moisturiser & SPF

The facial is completed with targeted skincare selected according to the individual’s needs.

Serums may provide additional hydration or active ingredients, followed by an appropriate moisturiser to support the skin barrier.

Where the treatment is performed during the day, SPF is an essential final step, particularly following treatments involving exfoliation.

Daily photoprotection is fundamental to maintaining improvements in pigmentation, photo-ageing and overall skin quality.

What Results Can You Expect?

The immediate result following a professional facial can include reduced skin blockage, improved hydration, smoother texture, increased luminosity and a more refreshed appearance.

However, professional skincare should ideally be viewed as part of an ongoing treatment programme rather than a single event.

With appropriate treatment intervals and a well-selected homecare routine, improvements in hydration, texture, clarity, pigmentation and overall skin condition can become progressively more noticeable.

The appropriate treatment programme will depend on the individual and may combine different modalities rather than relying on one type of facial.

How Often Should You Have a Professional Facial?

Treatment frequency should be determined according to the condition of the skin and the treatment being performed.

For many clients, a professional facial every four to six weeks can provide a practical maintenance programme. However, more intensive treatment plans may require a different interval, particularly when addressing pigmentation, acne, photo-ageing or other specific concerns.

The skin should always be assessed before undertaking further treatment, particularly when active peels or advanced technologies are being used.

Professional Skin Treatment in Marylebone

At The Emporium Treatment Clinic, our approach is based on detailed skin assessment, extensive professional experience and the appropriate use of advanced skincare and treatment technologies.

With more than three decades of experience, Angela takes a personalised approach to determining which treatment is most appropriate for each individual client.

The objective is not simply to create an immediate improvement in appearance, but to establish a considered programme designed to support healthy, resilient and progressively improved skin quality over time.

Emporium Bespoke Facials

Deep Cleansing Facial

Rejuvenating Facial

Calming Facial

Luminating Facial

Luminating Facial

Back Cleanse Facial

Exosome Anti-Ageing Facial

To elevate results carefully selected Chemical Skin Peels, Micro-Needling, Mesotherapy Bio Revitalisation, Nlite Laser Skin Treatments, Seventy Hyal Injections and Polynucleotide Injections can be incorporated into Bespoke Facials.

Contact Angela Taffinder 07930661971

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Author: Angela Taffinder the founder of Emporium Treatment Clinic. A practising Aesthetician for 37+ years, holistic and wellbeing advocate and yoga instructor. The creator of Yoga & Vitality.