We all know that a facial is a lovely way to pamper yourself and a great way to look and feel fresh. But are there any true health benefits to this pleasant procedure? The answer, of course, is yes.
Firstly, a facial can help relieve stress by activating your sympathetic nervous system, reducing anxiety and improving your mood. In addition, a HydraFacial provides a thorough cleansing of your face which reduces the total bacterial count, preventing break-outs, whiteheads and blackheads.
With a facial, skin rejuvenation is enhanced by its effect on improving circulation through massage and by opening up and cleaning out the pores. Your skin is continuously remaking itself by producing new skin cells daily. The old skin cells die and tend to pile up on the surface of your face, making your skin dry and rough. Exfoliation during a facial removes the build-up of dead cells leaving your skin smoother and softer and allowing for easier pore extraction. Gentle acids such as salicylic acid and glycolic acid aid in both the removal of dead cells and the cleaning of the pores.
A good HydraFacial will leave your skin healthier with reduced bacterial numbers, fewer layers of dead skin cells, and pores that are free of debris and exudates. Your fresh, healthy face will now be able to absorb nutrients and therapeutic agents. Antioxidants can be applied to help reverse the aging process. Hyaluronic acid and growth factors promote collagen formation and reduce wrinkles, and skin lighteners/brighteners reverse the synergistic effects of UV light on melanocytes which causes skin darkening and age spots.
Lastly, just the process of having your face touched and manipulated during your facial improves lymphatic drainage which allows your body to remove by-products and impurities while reducing swelling.
So, the next time you treat yourself or a loved one to a HydraFacial you can rest assured that, in addition to enjoying a relaxing, pleasant respite, you are truly doing something for your health by creating a cleaner, purer you.
– Dr. Tara Wegryn
