Throwing on a facial mask at the end of a long day in the comfort of your own home can be the perfect way to finish an evening. While there are, of course, benefits to using a home facial mask – they can be cleansing, exfoliating, soothing or moisturising for example – professional-grade facials are generally on another level when it comes to optimising your skin health.

Getting professional facials can be a pricey expenditure, but there are many benefits in spending a little more to get a lot more. When considering professional skin care, two important factors must be considered; first, what ingredients are in the products or services you are investing in, and second, how regularly the facials or services are needed to produce optimal results.

Why invest in professional-grade facials?

Professional-grade facials are the perfect way to brighten your skin, provide deep exfoliation and provide much-needed hydration. These facials are administrated by skilled estheticians – also known as skin care therapists – or aestheticians, and because they are clinic-grade solutions, they are able to address the deeper layers of the skin.

As a result of this, professional facials can help target surface-level sun damage, pigmentation, acne, scarring, fine lines and wrinkles. Professional-grade products will often consist of glycolic acid with at least 15% free acid value (FAV), trichloroacetic acid (TCA), alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) or beta-hydroxy acid (BHA), which offer superior and expedited results.

Professional facials can help with the following:

Reducing signs of ageing: regular facials can help prevent signs of ageing like lines and wrinkles, and address other pre-existing conditions.

Treating skin problems: flakey skin, acne and scarring can all benefit from a consistent skin routine, and facials can help form a part of this.

Promoting blood circulation: professional facials will often include a face massage, to help promote blood circulation and the growth of healthy skin cells.

Deeper cleaning: regular, professional cleaning of your skin means deep-seated dirt, oils and dead skin will be removed, which can help reduce breakouts and brighten your skin.

Relaxing: at the end of the day, facials are a great way to let yourself relax and be pampered – enjoy your alone time while professionals do the hard work.

There are plenty of physical benefits when getting a facial – but they are relaxing too! Photo by Rosa Rafael on Unsplash.

Regularity is important

Getting a professional facial now and then as a treat is a great way to sit back, relax and destress, however, there is a significant difference in the results between those who have professional facials regularly and those who have them once in a blue moon. The accumulative effect of ongoing treatments will produce far better results than sporadic facials, including reduced pigmentation, hydrated skin and skin that looks and feels younger.

The regularity required to achieve optimal results will depend on the treatment you receive. Healthy skin renewal occurs approximately every 28 to 30 days, so getting treatment monthly is a great baseline. However, while a chemical peel may be suited to a monthly schedule, skin needling is a little more abrasive and should be done every two months, and an enzyme peel or nourishing facial can be done as regularly as every two weeks.

Speak to your skincare specialist about what is the best path forward for you and your skin. Remember, long-term results are best achieved with a regular treatment plan.

Professional skincare and home skincare

Alongside investing in professional-grade facials, it is also important to invest in the right skincare at home. From your cleanser to the facial serum and moisturiser you use, these products will complement the professional skincare treatments you receive and ensure you are taking care of your skin every single day.

Top products to include in your home skincare routine include:

Cleanser: a face-specific cleanser will help remove dirt, grime and any lingering makeup.

Toner: toners can smooth, soften and calm your skin, and are often used to diminish redness and dry patches.

Moisturiser: to prevent your skin from drying out, invest in a good moisturiser to suit your skin type (oily skin may benefit from a lightweight or oil-free option, while dry skin may want something more heavy-duty). Moisturisers are best used while the skin is still a little damp to seal in the moisture and keep your skin hydrated and smooth.

Sunscreen: vital to any skincare routine is sunscreen. Whether it is included in your moisturiser or foundation, or whether you apply it separately, sunscreen will protect you from the sun’s harmful and damaging UVA and UVB rays.

Serum: serums often contain ingredients like antioxidants or retinol that help treat specific things like redness, texture, firmness and signs of ageing.

Eye cream: the skin around your eyes is thinner and more sensitive than the rest of your face, so investing in a cream or serum specifically for the eye area is important.