In general, facials can address a number of skin concerns. Hydration, brightening, purifying, balancing, calming, sculpting, and lifting of the skin as just some of the benefits that come with getting a facial. Dr. Grainger adds that facials can also improve circulation, which results in stimulating collagen production and enhancing cellular health, and can help the skin care products in your daily and nightly routine to work better when you use them at home.  

✔Consult: The first step of a classic facial is a conversation with the aesthetician providing the treatment. She'll ask why you sought out her services and what problem areas you would like to address during the treatment. Based on your responses, the aesthetician will select specific products to use during the facial.

✔Cleanse: The aesthetician will first wrap your hair in a towel or headband, and then she will gently remove makeup and other surface-level impurities from your face. She'll follow up with a cleanser specific to your skin type. Once she has cleansed your skin, she'll remove the remaining cleanser with a warm, wet towel.

✔Examine: After your face has been fully cleansed, the esthetician will open up your pores by applying steam. She'll use this time to closely examine your skin to further gather information on how to achieve your skincare goals.

✔Exfoliate: The aesthetician will select an exfoliant that is appropriate for the needs of your skin. She'll apply the exfoliant rhythmically, using circular motions. Your full face will be exfoliated, with the exception of any areas that are visibly irritated or sensitive. She'll later remove the exfoliant with a warm, wet towel.

✔Extract: Next, the esthetician will extract any blackheads or whiteheads that are visible on the surface of your skin. She'll already have located the comedones during the examination step, and now she'll use sterile metal tools to clear your blocked pores. She may re-steam the face to re-open pores that have begun to close.

✔Mask: Facial masks target surface-level skin conditions and rehydrate the skin. Depending on the mask that's being applied, the aesthetician may or may not steam the skin again before the mask is applied.

✔Moisturize and finish: To finish the facial, the aesthetician will apply any final specialty creams, gels, and serums that may help improve the appearance of the client's skin. She'll then apply a final layer of moisturizer, and a layer of SPF.