I have a few events later this summer and I feel like I really need to up my game. I’ve fallen into a terrible habit of just slogging along and wearing whatever. I’m not a complete mess, but I definitely feel like there is room for improvement! My skin is sort of dull and lifeless - plus I’ve always had large pores. I’m assuming a facial would help - or some sort of skin treatment but I don’t even know what to ask for. I don’t want a peal or anything drastic but I’m sure I could look better.
It could also be that I’ve recently turned 55 and I’m really feeling it. Help! What do people get at those skin treatment salons? Or in the alternative, what is a complete waste of time? Or what should I avoid?
I would talk to the person providing the service who can give you a personalized recommendation. My only advice is to go no less than a week before your event. Some treatments can leave your skin looking blotchy (more relevant if you have acne) or irritated and red. Best bet is to go more than once but this can really add up!
Prescription Retin A. It’s great for pore reduction, fine lines and about every month or so, the dead skin sloths off in the shower and you have a nice, pink glow. It takes time for your skin to get used to it though, and have to start out sparingly and slowly.
I had my first facial about two years ago. I had a gift certificate sitting around for several years and finally decided to do it. I was so happy that I’ve settled into going once a month. I think what type of facial depends on what is happening with your skin. I alternate between a couple of different types. One is just a basic facial that lasts about an hour. I sometimes have a Silkpeel facial where she uses a machine that does who knows what to my skin but it feels super smooth after. The Silkpeel does leave me a bit red after for about a day. I also have had a back facial before special events where my dress is lower in the back. I’ve also had her wax and shape my eyebrows and she can see those pesky chin hairs that I can’t. The person I see is an independent provider and what I like is that she doesn’t promote any product. She sells the stuff she uses but doesn’t push you to buy.
I am so pleased with how much better my skin looks and feels. It also is relaxing and I think it promotes positive mental Heath.
Thanks! I’m in that same situation with a gift certificate that I haven’t used. Time to dust that thing off and see what I can get. I could use a little pampering.
I use vitamin C&D on my face. Recently I was told to use Jojoba oil on my face, body and hair. It is cheap and good for wrinkles. I also use Korean face mask regularly. It is less than $1/mask. I also get facials regularly, plus a lot of other stuff, like photofacials (for brown spots), dermabrasion and acid peal.
Glad you ask this question as I have been thinking about facials. I have never had one and worry as I cannot
stand fragrances and I am allergic to many products. The one time I had my make up done my eyes swelled
from the cosmetics. I need to figure out where to go.
I have sensitive skin and haven’t had any luck with facials in years. My face ends up somewhat red and doesn’t markedly improve over the next few days. Clearly others have better luck. I did well with Georgette Klinger back in the day, but that ship sailed a few decades ago. My derm has been a lot more help than the esthetician.
My relative is a dermatologist and kindly gave me some skincare products that are supposed to help reduce/eliminate brown spots (worsened by sun which we have LOTS of in HI). I tried using it one day and it made my eyes swell and made breathing difficult. I told her and thanked her but returned it to her. I told her it was probably the sulfite preservatives in it which she and I know I’m very sensitive to. Since that experience, I’ve been very reluctant to have anyone touching my face or putting anything on it.
I have a lot of sensitivities to scent in products, so far I’ve been lucky and haven’t had any issues. I do make that clear ahead of time, but you never know…
That said, I second the vote for prescription Retin-A. You do have to ease your way into it, and figure out what your skin can tolerate (may be different in different seasons), but it can work wonders with clearing up brown spots and lessening the appearance of wrinkles. People report mixed results on Retin-A and pore size, I feel it’s helped my large pores.
There’s lot of over the counter products with Retin-A, but the concentration is lower and results will take longer.
At a minimum, make sure you’re using a good exfoliating cleanser to help shed some of the dead skin cells that make your skin dull.
“There’s lot of over the counter products with Retin-A, but the concentration is lower and results will take longer.”
There are NO over the counter products with Retin-A. The OTC products have other derivatives of Vit A that are “cousins” of Retin-A. Your body makes the active ingredient out of them.
Sorry, my bad, OTC contains retinol, which does convert into the retinoic acid (retin-a). Biochemically performs the same function, just takes longer to see results.
I had some melasma (brown spots) on one cheek over a decade ago. I used Obagi Nu-Derm system for over 3 years and it really helped. No one notices any brown spots on my face now and it’s been at least 14 years since I used the product. However, I do use RetinA and a topical gel Aczone (prescription) twice a week. I also use Obagi-C plus a sunblock every day.
I have never tried an official peel but I am interested to know what works well.
@arabrab, I was a client of Georgette Klinger back in the day.
I have gotten facials quarterly for many years now from an esthetician who works in a dermatologist’s office. I’d go more often but, between the time and the expense, quarterly is where I’ve settled. For anyone considering one for the first time, it’s really ideal to try to get a recommendation from someone you trust. There are all kinds of products and I went numerous places before I found a person that I liked and who used products that worked for me. So, I’d also say, if you go once and don’t care for it, consider trying someone else.
I’ve had IPL a couple of times and I tried a peel (might have been glycolic) but the latter left me red and in pain and I"m not sure I saw an improvement. The former didn’t show results but I’m now going to a different place that seems to have a better laser and I’m more optimistic.
Honestly, if you (OP) haven’t done much for your face, I would get a facial and find out what the esthetician recommends but I’d consider doing some basic OTC things first. I use a vitamin C&E serum each morning under my sunscreen which I highly recommend and then a couple products used at night that really made my skin feel nice which I’ve linked below. I believer these products are good for any type of skin. The pads are an exfoliant and the cream/serum are moisturizers. I actually use Retin A now so no longer use the pads but really found they helped when I was just getting started with all this and before I had an RX for Retin A. I remember shortly after starting to use them, I was amazed to find that my skin felt softer.
Since that experience, I’ve been very reluctant to have anyone touching my face or putting anything on it.