11 Types Of Facials & Their Benefits For Your Skin

Do you feel that facials are just a luxury treatment? Well, experts believe that regular facials can delay skin aging for years.

Skin degeneration progresses swiftly as soon as you hit your thirties. This is why skincare must begin well before your thirties, to slow down this inevitable process. Facials can work best in this regard, especially when they are customized according to your skin type.

Read on to know the different types of facials and how to select the right one for your face.

Our Ayurvedic Doctor Speaks

“Manipulating facial skin with the use of good quality ingredients, alleviates vata dosha. This in turn leads to the reduction of dryness, wrinkles, and signs of aging.”

Dr. Zeel Gandhi (Bachelor Of Ayurveda, Medicine & Surgery), Chief Ayurvedic Doctor, Vedix

What Does A Facial Do To Your Face?

The concept of getting a facial goes above and beyond just pampering your skin. As per Dr. Zeel Gandhi, Chief Ayurvedic Doctor at Vedix, “Manipulating facial skin with the use of good quality ingredients, alleviates vata dosha. This in turn leads to the reduction of dryness, wrinkles and signs of aging.”

She further adds, “The massaging action clears the channel and thus, reduces kapha-clogged pores. The soothing herbs balance pitta and relax the skin of stress.”

While your regular skincare routine may replicate the steps of a facial, a professional approach differs in duration and procedure. A good facial gets rid of unwanted blackheads and whiteheads, which have the potential to become inflamed acne lesions.

The healthy nutrition from natural ingredients and an extra boost of hydration leads to healthy, toned and youthful skin. The muscle-relaxing massage taps vital pressure points on your face, altogether contributing to glowing skin.

How Many Different Types Of Facials Are There?

Dr. Zeel says, “The combinations of herbs for skin rejuvenation are infinite. Ayurveda tailor-makes the skincare procedure after evaluating your skin, age, doshas, and skin goals.”

Modern skincare offers you the following well-known facials for glowing skin:

1. Classic Facial

A classic facial involves the basic steps of skincare namely cleansing, steaming, exfoliation and a face mask. It focuses on hydrating, rejuvenating and maintaining skin hygiene through the removal of blackheads and whiteheads.

A classic facial benefits all skin types and you can opt for skin-specific products depending on your skin issues.

2. Brightening Facial

Sun exposure is unavoidable and can lead to tanning and uneven skin tones. A brightening facial uses a de-tan pack that is applied after cleansing and exfoliation and before the final face pack.

Tan removal products may contain licorice, vitamin C, kojic acid, citrus extracts and other melanin reducing ingredients for quick improvement of hyperpigmented skin. However, stay away from harsh bleaches, which are detrimental to your skin health.

3. Fruit Facial

A popular and affordable choice is the fruit facial. Made from different fruit extracts, this natural facial hydrates and rejuvenates dry, dull skin. It infuses your skin with a variety of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and other essential plant compounds, thus giving you naturally brighter, plump skin after the facial treatment.

4. Aromatherapy Facial

This is a therapeutic facial treatment that uses essential oils to improve skin health. Aromatherapy facials can be customized according to your skin needs. Massages with essential oils detoxify your skin, reduce acne and inflammation, brighten your skin tone and boost skin immunity.

While aromatherapy facials are beneficial for most skin types, those with sensitive skin may take precautions such as a patch test to avoid chances of skin allergy.

5. Wine Facial

Full of antioxidants [1] such as resveratrol and anti-aging effects, a wine facial can give you radiant, glowing skin and tightened pores. It may also have mild anti-inflammatory effects on your skin and benefit an existing acne condition.

Wine facials are also beneficial for oily skin as they help to regulate sebum secretions and keep your skin balanced and fresh.

6. Ayurvedic Facial

A good Ayurvedic facial involving herbal steam, detoxifying oil massage and a face lepa (face pack) can do wonders for your skin. Such facials are tailor made according to one’s Prakriti (body constitution) and skin type.

They help remove harmful toxins from the skin, balance aggravated doshas, improve blood circulation and heal existing skin conditions. Herbs such as turmeric, manjistha, yashtimadhu, saffron, sandalwood, ashwagandha, sariva, and triphala are commonly used in Ayurvedic facials.

7. Microcurrent Facial

In this procedure, a microcurrent facial device (that looks like a pair of tongs) is used to stimulate cell renewal and collagen production with low-volt electrical waves.

This also lifts your facial muscles, reduces wrinkles and fine lines and gives your skin a youthful appearance in minutes. While the results are immediately visible, this facial is on the expensive side.

8. Light Therapy Facial

LED light therapy [2] facials use varying wavelengths of light to treat different skin conditions. First studied by NASA, LED therapy has gained popularity for its ability to stimulate ATP [3], initiate collagen synthesis, improve skin texture, reduce skin infections, acne and inflammatory conditions like eczema.

However, it may take a few sessions of therapy to achieve desired results. Recently, various popular salons have been offering light therapy in combination with a classic facial.

9. Collagen Wave Facial

A collagen wave facial has the ability to contour your features in just one sitting. Radiofrequency [4] waves used in this non-invasive facial target tissues in the deeper layers of your skin.

According to studies, the thermal energy causes neocollagenesis (production of fibrotic collagen) leading to more sculpted features from a retraction effect. However, there is less research to back the safety of this procedure for long-term usage.

10. Hydra Facial

This facial uses an abrasion and suction method to gently exfoliate the upper damaged layer of skin and unclog your pores. Once the impurities are out, the facial is completed by treating your skin with rejuvenating serums. As a result, you get naturally bright, smooth, even-toned skin.

11. Intraceuticals Oxygen Facial

Quite a popular facial amongst celebrities, the intraceuticals oxygen facial is a fool-proof method for super soft, hydrated young skin. It uses pressurized oxygen to infuse a hyaluronic acid and vitamin-rich serum into your skin. This repairs your skin from the inside, reduces blemishes, acne and signs of aging.

Vedix Tip:

If you plan to do a facial at home, avoid popping your pimples on your own. Acne extraction must always be done by a professional to avoid further infection and scarring.

What Are The Benefits Of Getting A Facial?

1. Pore Cleansing

One of the best things about a facial is that it unclogs your pores and reduces chances of an acne breakout. When excess sebum, dirt, bacteria and dead cells are taken out of your pores, it accelerates skin healing, paving your way to flawless skin.

2. Rejuvenation And Texture Improvement

Layers of dead cells are often responsible for rough, dry, and dull skin. Constant exposure to the elements leaves your upper layer damaged and flaky. Exfoliation during a facial removes this damaged layer and reveals healthy skin underneath.

Further, face packs and serums used during the procedure, repair, rejuvenate and protect your skin with essential vitamins and nutrients, giving you soft, supple and healthy skin.

3. De-Tanning

Exfoliation and pigment-reducing ingredients used during a facial treatment aid in the removal of dark spots, blemishes and sun-tan on your skin. While the effect may be visible after a few days, it definitely brings a healthy glow to your skin.

4. Improvement In Skin Hydration

Dry skin especially benefits from a hydrating facial. Ingredients like ceramides, peptides, hyaluronic acid and plant extracts in serums, face packs and moisturizers infuse the skin with much-needed moisture.

Regular facials are known to repair the skin barrier and improve your skin’s capacity to retain essential moisture. This gives you dewy, plump skin after every facial.

5. Anti-Aging

Various anti-aging facials such as light therapy, intraceuticals oxygen facial and hydra facial focus on improving and toning aging skin. These stimulate cell renewal, reduce wrinkles, fade age spots and enhance muscle elasticity to reverse the effects of aging.

6. Improved Blood Circulation

Massages during a facial treatment clear channels, improve subcutaneous blood circulation and remove toxin build-ups under your skin. This improves oxygen and nutrition supply to your skin cells and helps build skin immunity.

7. Balanced Oil Secretions

Facials improve your skin’s pH balance. Further, their moisturizing and soothing effects hydrate and calm your skin and prevent sebaceous gland hyperactivities. An Ayurvedic facial with astringents and kapha balancing herbs can be especially helpful for those with oily skin.

8. Improves Acne Conditions

Acne-targeted facials done by professionals help extract the sebum plugs, pus and other impurities clogging your pores. This aids your body’s natural wound healing process and ensures quick recovery of the acne condition.

9. Removal Of Accumulated Lymphatic Fluids

Lymphatic massages done during facials help in draining accumulated lymphatic fluid [5] which can cause skin inflammations. This detoxifies your skin and improves your body’s natural drainage system.

10. De-Stressing

Stress lines on the forehead are a direct impact of the daily stress endured by you. According to research, a relaxing massage can lower cortisol (stress hormones) levels in your body. High cortisol levels are linked to hormonal imbalances, inflammation and acne conditions, which can all be avoided with a de-stressing facial.

How To Select The Right Facial For Your Skin Type?

1. Dry Skin

Those with dry skin deal with excess dead cells and transepidermal water loss, mainly due to a damaged skin barrier. Hence look for facials that rehydrate your skin.

Facials that use fruit extracts, glycerin, hyaluronic acids, plant oils and vata-balancing herbs are good for dry skin. Avoid facials that use harsh chemical exfoliators as they may cause more damage.

2. Normal Skin

For normal skin, choose a facial that helps maintain your skin health. Cleansing, steaming, removal of blackheads and whiteheads followed by a rejuvenating face massage and a face mask should help. Avoid over-exfoliation with chemical products.

3. Combination Skin

Combination skin requires a careful selection of products. Choose a facial that uses non-comedogenic products to keep your dry areas moisturized without clogging the oily parts of your skin. Natural and herbal products customized according to your skin condition work best for combination skin.

4. Oily Skin

If excess oil is your skin concern, then opt for a deep pore-cleansing facial. Choose ingredients that tone, moisturize and balance oil on your face.

5. Sensitive Skin

Those with sensitive skin must steer clear of retinoids, AHAs, BHAs and other chemical exfoliating or brightening products. These are usually not well tolerated by sensitive skin. Opt for basic hydrating facials that contain therapeutic herbs and anti-inflammatory, hypo-allergenic plant oils and extracts.

Dos And Don'ts After Getting A Facial

Dos

• Give your skin time to adapt and heal after a facial treatment.
• Slight redness or inflammation from mildly invasive treatments, brightening or anti-acne treatments is common. Apply some ice and let the skin heal on its own.
• Limit sun exposure after getting your facial. Apply a good sunscreen when you step out.
• Use lightweight herbal products that fortify your skin against external damage.

Don’ts

• Your skin receives its required dose of nutrition from a facial. Hence there is no need to apply more products immediately after. This may lead to pore-clogging.
• Avoid applying make-up on the day of your facial. If necessary, at least give your skin a gap of 5-6 hours.
• Limit tobacco exposure if you want to gain maximum benefits from your facial. Tobacco smoke increases free radicals in your body and leads to skin aging. It is also responsible for hyperpigmentation.
• Don’t opt for multiple facials within a short period of time.
• Avoid using alcohol-based toners, retinols and other harsh products for a few days after your facial.

How Often Should You Get Facials Done?

Getting a facial once a month is recommended by experts. However, depending on your exposure to dust, sun and pollution, a clean-up once in 2 weeks may help prevent pore-clogging and increase the benefits of your skin care routine.

How Long Does A Facial Last?

The effect of a facial usually lasts for about 2-3 days. This is why it is important to follow up with a good skin care routine that doesn’t let the benefits of your facial go in vain.

The Last Word

With progress in the cosmeceutical industry, new products and techniques are invented everyday to combat the effects of aging on skin. But not all may suit your skin. Hence, rather than choosing your facial based on popularity or social media reviews, consult your Ayurvedic doctor, understand your skin type and then make a decision based on your skin needs. This will keep your doshas balanced and your skin looking flawless and radiant.

Know Your Dosha Now