The Ultimate Guide to Facials: Top 10 Types

There are few things more enjoyable and relaxing than a facial. The smells, calming music, and relaxing atmosphere can quickly help you shut out the stressors and anxieties of the day-to-day, if only for a short time. 

Many patients do not realize that there are multiple types of facials. 

This makes sense, of course, as we all have different skin types and different skincare needs. Before deciding on the best one for you, it is important to understand what it entails and how each of the ten facial types works for your skin. 

What is a Facial? 

Facials are a beauty treatment designed to remove dead skin, so smoother, brighter, younger-looking skin comes to the surface. 

Getting one regularly helps with anti-aging, increases blood flow to your face and neck, and most importantly, helps you relax and destress.

It is important to choose your facial based on the type of skin you have. If you are unsure, talk to your skincare professional before deciding. 

They can provide advice and guidance to help you better understand the pros and cons of each treatment option. 

What Are The Different Types of Facials? 

Here is our list of the 10 different types of facial treatments:

1. Manual Extraction (Classic Facial)

If you struggle to rid your skin of pimples and blackheads, a manual extraction face treatment is an excellent place to start. As the name indicates, during a manual extraction, your aesthetician will use various treatments, steam, and warmth to open your pores, allowing for the easy extraction of pesky blackheads and pimples. 

2. Hydrafacials

A Hydrafacial treatment helps extract, exfoliate, and hydrate the skin without some of the pain and discomfort that other facials may produce. 

Depending on your specific skin concerns, your aesthetician can add other elements to the facial to help address those as well. 

A Hydrafacial starts with cleansing to remove the dead skin cells and extra sebum from the skin. 

This is followed by a mix of salicylic and glycolic acids, which are applied to the skin to break up dirt and oil that clogs the pores. 

Finally, a HydraPeel tip is used to clean out blackheads, dirt, oil, and impurities while hydrating, nourishing, and plumping serums are applied to the skin. 

3. Chemical peels

There are many types of chemical peels, like Vi Peels, which are used on the neck, face, or hands to improve the look of your skin. 

During your treatment, a highly concentrated chemical solution (like salicylic, alpha hydroxy acid or hyaluronic acid) is applied to the skin and allowed to sit for several minutes. 

The solution works to exfoliate the old skin allowing it to peel away, leaving behind a smoother, younger-looking layer. 

Chemical peels come in varying strengths and, depending on the solution, use different types of acids. You can opt for a superficial peel, or go for a deep peeling facial for more severe skin concerns, like acne scars.

4. Microdermabrasion Facial

Microdermabrasion treatments are ideal if you are looking to reduce visible signs of aging or lighten scars from acne. Microdermabrasion can also reduce the appearance of blemishes, blackheads, and visible pores. 

The microdermabrasion process uses a handheld wand to spray small crystals on the face, which help to exfoliate dead or damaged skin cells. The same wand uses suction to remove the skin cells leaving behind fresh, healthy skin. Depending on your skin sensitivity, you may experience redness and sensitivity after treatment. 

5. Derma-planing

Derma-planing is also a facial that exfoliates your skin. The derma-planing process scrapes away the top layer of dull skin cells, leaving a brighter, more youthful complexion. Another benefit to derma-planing is that It allows skincare products to more easily penetrate the skin due to removing the top layer of dead tissue. 

6. Face Masks

Face masks are applied to the face to extract dirt and minimize the appearance of large, visible pores. Masks can lead to redness and irritation if used too frequently. 

The most common type of mask is a charcoal mask; however, a professional aesthetician may have other options that could be more beneficial to your skincare needs. 

7. LED Facials

LED facials are a highly common, non-invasive treatment used to help with a variety of skin concerns. Each wavelength of light can produce different reactions and address different skincare challenges. 

The most common LED light is blue as it targets and fights inflammation which acne-causing bacteria use to "cause" future breakouts. Red lights are also beneficial for skin healing, skin rejuvenation, and collagen production. 

8. Lymphatic Drainage

When tension and fluid build-up around the face and neck, it can lead to a puffy appearance. Lymphatic drainage is a facial meant to reduce puffiness by relieving tension and blockages in your lymphatic system that contribute to fluid build-up. 

Lymphatic drainage facials can help improve circulation, reduce water retention, and clear toxins in the skin, leading to a healthier complexion. 

9. Acupuncture Facial

Many people are familiar with acupuncture to help heal pain and discomfort throughout the body. However, many do not realize it can also be used as part of a facial treatment. During an acupuncture procedure, small needles are placed into the face.

This promotes "micro-injuries," which lead to collagen growth as the facial tissues heal. Benefits of an acupuncture facial include visibly reducing fine lines and wrinkles, firming saggy skin, and reducing visible scarring. 

10. Vampire Facials

A vampire facial uses your own blood to promote healthy cellular activity. The treatment is a combination of microdermabrasion followed by PRP (platelet-rich plasma) application. 

The PRP treatment is derived from the plasma portion of your blood. Platelets contain a high level of growth factors to help promote cellular turnover. 

What Is The Best Type of Facial?

The "best" facial for you is the one that best addresses your skincare needs while considering your skin type. 

We all have different skin, and therefore, it is important to talk to your aesthetician about your current skin condition and what you are hoping to accomplish with your facial treatment. 

They will help point you in the right direction to ensure you receive the most comprehensive and beneficial skin treatment possible. 

What Type of Facial Should I Get?

There is a facial out there for just about every skin type and specific to every skin concern. When deciding which type of facial you should get, start by identifying what it is you want. 

For most people the type of facial that can be tailored to anyone's requirements is the Hydrafacial. 

Hydrafacial's are an all-in-one facial treatment that cleanses, exfoliates and hydrates your skin in just 30-minutes ?????

Whether you want an anti-aging facial or you want to combat the signs of fine lines and wrinkles, acne, or sun damage the Hydrafacial is right for you.  

Furthermore, given how long we’ve had to wear face coverings, getting regular face treatments is even more important.

What is the Most Popular Facial Treatment? 

The most popular facial today is the Hydrafacial. An article from InStyle Magazine indicates a HydraFacial is performed nearly every 15 seconds around the world. 

With so many facial treatments on the market, it can be difficult to decide which treatment is best for you. 

To learn more about how each of these facials, and several others, can help you achieve younger-looking, healthier skin, contact your esthetician today.