Who isn’t in the spring-cleaning mood? From closets and windows to cars and garages, now is the time to think “spring refresh.” It is also a great time to schedule a facial to help get rid of the dry, dull skin that comes with Old Man Winter and prep our skin for the spring and summer.
The best way to prep our skin, especially our face and neck, is with a facial and/or with a specialized facial that focuses on specific needs and outcomes. Follow your “face time” with a full-body massage to kick-off the start of warm temperatures and longer days.
Good skin care isn’t only for women. Men of all ages and professions can and should benefit from daily to advanced skin care. After all, the damaging sun rays and weather don’t discriminate between men and women.
Just like the seasons, your skin is constantly changing and the only way to keep up the toll of aging and the effects of the sun and elements is constant care. Here are some tips from the expert massage therapists and skin care specialists at Massage Envy:
Cleanse, exfoliate and moisturize in the morning and at night before bed, using high-quality at-home products.
Use sunscreen daily on your face as well as the neck and upper chest and arms.
Get regular professional facials and use products that can provide some extra TLC for your skin. Some options include masks, alpha hydroxy cream, waxing, chemical peels, microdermabrasion and more.
Basic facials focus on removing dirt, oils and dead skin cells; unplugging pores; and then soothing, hydrating and protecting the skin. These facials include the face and neck and may also include the back. Most facials take about an hour and should be performed by a licensed esthetician (skin care professional). Basic facials are recommended monthly or as often as desired or necessary.
Beyond facials are more extensive treatments that are meant to go deeper into the layers of skin and provide longer lasting effects. Two of the most effective and common skin treatments are microderm infusion and chemical peels.
What’s the difference and which one might be right for you?
Microderm Infusion is a safe, non-invasive treatment that improves fine lines, aging skin and brown spots by removing dead and old skin cells. The procedure requires a handheld device and has two components: 1. Using micro-crystals, the outermost layer of the skin is gently exfoliated (lightly scrubbed); 2. A hydrating serum is infused into the skin at the same time as the exfoliation process.
Removing the dead skin cells and produces new, fresher-looking skin. Most people experience a recovery time of one to two days. Some people have just one treatment and are satisfied with the results, others prefer several treatments throughout the year and on a consistent basis.
Chemical peels, like microderm infusion, improve various skin blemishes. The main difference between the two is that chemical peels can penetrate deeper into the layers of the skin. Light to mild chemical peels treat the outer layers of skin, heal quickly and produce a minimal change to the texture of the skin. Strong chemical peels penetrate deep into your skin’s surface, impacting the various layers of skin. This allows the peel to address more severe issues, such as acne scarring or other scars.
During the treatment, a chemical solution is applied. The chemical components exfoliate the skin and cause the skin to shed or peel to reveal smoother younger-looking skin. The stronger the chemical solution the greater the resurfacing. Recovery times are dependent upon the strength of the solution and skin sensitivity. Because the skin is peeling for a few days, it is best to avoid the sun and limit social events during the healing process.
Whether you are considering a basic facial for the first time or have one on a regular basis, or are considering more advanced skin treatments with longer lasting results, it is important to consult with an expert licensed anesthetist. It is important to keep in mind the treatment, results and recovery time vary depending on the procedure and skin sensitivity. The most important consideration is whether the products and procedures are safe.
Massage Envy’s licensed anesthetists are skilled in all areas of skin care. Each session is customized to meet individual needs and desired outcomes. Skin treatment procedures can be scheduled for 60- or 90-minute sessions. FBN
By Mark Love
Mark Love is the Franchisee of Massage Envy Spa Flagstaff, located at 1235 S. Plaza Way in the University Plaza Shopping Center next to Safeway. For more information on the benefits of massage and to schedule an appointment with a massage therapist, visit MassageEnvy.com or call 928-526-ENVY (3689) and follow on Facebook at Facebook.com/MEFlag.
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