by Gabriella D'Anton

Created on: August 20, 2009

Before judging them as good, bad or indifferent, we need to understand the clear distinction between facials and skin care treatments.

Facials are usually performed in spa resorts or hair and nails salons; they are intended for relaxation and pampering. Special attention is being paid to creating an inviting environment and a relaxing atmosphere; soft music, candles and pleasant young beautiful technicians, more often than not, constitutes the dcor.

Based primarily on the enjoyable experience and immediate well being of the client, such facials will not have visible and long lasting effects. At best this type of facial will refresh the skin and make it softer.

Those facial will involve minimum cleaning, usually an enzyme mask for dissolving some of the dead cells on the superficial layer, or a mud mask designed to draw impurities to the surface. The rest is mostly a relaxing massage using aromatic oils, followed than by more masks with limited penetration effects, but with hydrating or temporary tightening results.

Since deep pore cleaning is associated with discomfort and even pain, this procedure is almost never performed. The deep pore cleaning technique requires special training (in order to apply just the right amount of pressure without damaging the skin or leaving visible red marks) and special sanitation conditions (rarely present in a hair salon). Those requirements of cleanness should be observed no matter where you have the treatment..

Skin care treatments in the other hand, are being performed by licensed aestheticians who most of the times work in a dermatologist's office or in specialized skin care cliniques.

Those treatments are specially designed to have corrective proprieties and are intended for balancing the skin and improving specific metabolic functions. Most of the time effective methods of exfoliation (microdermabrasion or acid peels) will be used and deep pore cleaning and removal of black and white heads is routinely performed.

As a result the skin will show visible and long lasting improvement; the emerging skin will be invigorated and a new radiance will be noticeable.

Freed of debris and stimulated, the skin's capacity to absorb essential nutrients is obtained.

Without much exaggeration the difference between facials and skin care treatments is comparable with eating fast food as opposed to gourmet meals. It refers to quality and price as well.

Depending on the desired effect and considering the cost, the choice remains as usually with the customer.

However, being informed about the differences of the two possible procedures will minimize the risks and eliminate disappointments.

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