Facial FAQ’s For Men & Women

In this article I will provide a list of FAQ’s to answer any questions anyone may have regarding a potential facial treatment experience. 

Do I need a professional facial treatment?

A professional treatment is carried out by a qualified aesthetician, who has knowledge and understanding of the skin.

The skin is the largest organ of the body with a multitude of important functions; protection, absorption, excretion, secretion, regulation, and sensation. The skin acts as our first line of defence against environmental exposure, particularly UV radiation along with toxins, pollutants, bacteria, and other harmful micro-organisms. Stress and hormone fluctuations play a fundamental role in condition and symptoms of the skin.

It is imperative to undertake a facial treatment with a qualified, highly experienced aesthetician to ensure your skin’s needs are treated accordingly. A Bespoke Facial treatment is a customised treatment designed especially for each individual’s specific skin concerns.

Do I need to prepare for a facial?
It is helpful to arrive to clinic without make-up, as time to remove lots of make-up initially could be valuable time spent treating your skin.

Male skin should be clean shaved (24 hours prior) unless bearded.

What will my facial treatment involve?
Your skin care practitioner will complete a detailed consultation of your skin, medical history, diet, as well as lifestyle, followed by an assessment to ascertain your skin concerns, the possible cause of symptoms being presented, and improvement goals. This can take up to 15 minutes. A customised facial treatment is then created to suit your skin’s specific needs.

A typical Bespoke Facial consists of a thorough cleansing, exfoliation via a chemical or physical method. Steam & Pore Extraction is used to remove blackheads, whiteheads, spots and milia. Then the application of calming, hydrating, anti-oxidant serums followed by a Pressure Point Massage, a soothing, relaxing experience for you and your skin.

The treatment is completed with the application of the most appropriate moisturiser and SPF.

In the Bespoke Facial there is likely to be a combination of a hands-on application as well as technical devices, such as Micro-dermabrasion and the Hylo Fusion Oxygen Therapy.

The intensity of the treatment can be increased and adapted to provide a skin resurfacing treatment or to simply maintain a healthy skin.

Why should I have a facial procedure:

A Bespoke Facial will improve all skin conditions to include:

• Skin pore blockage
• Reduce pore size
• Spots
• Milia
• Dry, Dehydrated skin
• Dull skin
• Sensitive skin
• Rosacea
• Uneven skin tone
• Pigmentation
• Ageing skin
• Shaving rash
• Ingrown hairs

What results should I expect from a facial?

Treatment can provide results:

•    Clear oils / blockage in the skin
•    Improve acne symptoms
•    Achieve an instant skin glow
•    Reduce dark patches
•    Brighten dull skin
•    Reduce dark circles & puffy eyes
•    Hydrate / moisturise the skin
•    Promote a firm / fresh skin
•    Stimulate natural collagen / volume
•    Smooth out lines / wrinkles
•    Promote skin luminosity
•    Soothe shaving irritated skin
•    Release ingrown hairs
•    Adaptable for a pre wedding facial or for a special event

Is it advised to have a facial whilst taking medication?
The detailed consultation prior to treatment will ascertain whether you can proceed with the facial, or what components of the Bespoke Facial treatment you can undertake.

Is there a specific facial required for male skin?
The skin structure is the same whatever the gender. However, there is a difference in the hair production, its mass and thickness, which does need to be taken into consideration in creating a Bespoke Facial. Bearded skin is treatable, as is clean shaven. It is advised to shave the night before the scheduled facial treatment.

Is there a specific facial required for different ethnic background skin?
The skin structure is the same whatever the ethnic background of the skin. The Bespoke Facial is customised for the specific skin care needs of each individual and carried out by a highly qualified and experienced aesthetician.

Is it advised to have a facial if I have sensitive skin?
The Bespoke Facial is created specifically for all skin concerns presented, including sensitive skin symptoms. The sensitive product range is used to prevent sensitive skin from over-reacting.

The treatment is generally completed with the Hylo Fusion Oxygen Therapy, which promotes instant cooling and calming thus improving any negative signs of sensitivity.

Is it advised to have a facial I am pregnant?
During pregnancy hormonal changes occur throughout the 9 months term. These can reflect on the skin surface. A Bespoke Facial is created to alleviate some of the symptoms experienced, to include break-out, redness, sensitivity, and dehydration. Being a mom-to-be is a perfect opportunity to take time out for yourself, relax and feel calm.

Does a facial treatment hurt?
A facial treatment is generally painless. However, as each individual has a varied pain threshold, some discomfort may be experienced during the pore extraction, care is taken to make it as comfortable as possible.

Products and technology are carefully selected to suit your skin condition; therefore, no discomfort or irritation should be felt.

What would I expect my skin to look like after a facial?
Depending on the intensity of the treatment and your response, the skin may appear red and feel sensitive, with some possible mild micro-peeling post -treatment. These symptoms can last up to a few days. To avoid such reactions, it is advised to plan for the less intense treatment version, and focus on ensuring the treatment is designed to promote a calming effect.

Generally, a Bespoke Facial will leave feeling relaxed and your skin will look smooth, hydrated, healthy and glowing.

Will my skin look red after the facial?
Depending on the skin type and the intensity of the treatment, the skin can appear a little flushed, even red immediately after the facial treatment. The intense version of this treatment can promote skin redness and mild peeling post treatment. These symptoms can last up to a few days; therefore, it is advised to plan if deciding for the more intense version.

The treatment is generally completed with the Hylo Fusion Oxygen Therapy which promotes instant cooling and calming, thus eradicating signs of redness.

Will I get a break-out after the facial?
If your skin is currently experiencing break-outs or if there appears to be underlying skin congestion, then there is a high chance you could experience further break-outs post treatment.

In my experience, underlying congestion does not disappear on its own and does need some intervention to aid removal. Temporary further break-outs may be the compromise to achieve future healthy, clear skin.

When is it best to have a facial if I have an event?
The Bespoke Facial can be created to suit all occasions; therefore, it is possible to have a treatment just before an event.

The pre special event version generally involves a light skin polish, with the use of the Micro-dermabrasion & LED, followed by layers of soothing and hydrating products with Hylo Fusion Oxygen Therapy and a lymph drainage massage to reduce tired, puffy skin. All of which promotes a bright and glowing skin.

If you are experiencing congested skin, I would advise having a more intense facial with the Steam & Pore Extraction two weeks prior to a special event to allow the skin to settle.

How quickly will I see the results?
You will see visible improvements immediately after a single treatment, and progressively after each session during a course of treatments.

How long will the results last?
Commencing with a single treatment the skin will appear clearer and brighter for several weeks, and up to several months following a course of treatments. However, this depends on many factors, such as how one cares for one’s skin post treatment, the severity of one’s natural oil production, diet, stress, hormone influences and lifestyle.

Should I avoid wearing make-up after a facial?
All facial treatments are completed by the application of a moisturiser and SPF product to provide a protective barrier, so that a light make-up may be acceptable.

It may be advised not to wear make-up after an intense type Bespoke Facial as healing time has to take place

If you have an event or just feel more comfortable wearing make-up, feel free to apply as normal.

Can I wax the same day as a facial?
I would advise to wait a period of a week pre and post treatment to ensure any adverse reactions are avoided.

Can I shave my face on the same day as a facial?
I would advise to shave 24 hours pre and post treatment to ensure any adverse reactions are avoided.

Do I need multiple facial treatments?
Your skin care practitioner will endeavour to treat your skin concerns as much as possible in a single treatment. However, depending on your skin condition and your skin improvement goals, you may need a course of 3 to 5 treatments to achieve desired results.

Are there long-term benefits of having regular facials?
Absolutely yes. Having a regular facial treatment with the same aesthetician ensures that each time you visit, they will gain more insight to your skin type, skin reactions, learn more about you and your lifestyle and dietary habits, and how these influence your particular skin symptoms.

Your skin care aesthetician will endeavour to share their knowledge about how you can adopt new skills into your home care routine to achieve optimum skin health.

Overall. a regular facial routine will promote a healthy, fresh, clear, and more youthful looking skin.

How frequently should I have a facial?
Generally, it is advised to have a facial between 4 to 8 weeks. However, this all depends on the natural condition of your skin, as well as environmental factors.

For many a facial taken seasonally will suffice. Each season of the year brings about environmental influences that affect the skin condition, therefore a facial during each season will help combat these changes and maintain a healthy skin.

Is it essential to use homecare products?
A processional aesthetician will always inform you of your skin condition and how best to improve it through the use of homecare products which they use and recommend.

However, it is not essential to use the recommended products.

Is there specific advice to follow after a facial?
Treat the skin as a sensitive skin, avoid exposure to the sun, heat treatments and swimming for 24 hours or until the skin completely appears calm.

Do not exfoliate the skin for up to 48 hours.

For a healthier skin our skin care practitioner will guide you with a personlised home care skin regime.

Use an SPF50 Daily.

Contact Angela for a free chat about your skin concerns.

Contact: 07930661971

Author: Angela Taffinder the founder of Emporium Treatment Clinic. A practising Aesthetician for 35+ years, holistic and wellbeing advocate and yoga instructor.