From Reducing Anxiety to Improving Blood Circulation: 5 Facial Benefits You Didn’t Know About!
Do you ever wonder if the benefits of facials are worth the associated costs? Many people find it difficult to spend money on themselves, and facials are sometimes seen as an unnecessary “vanity” expense. However, taking care of your complexion is not only good for your appearance, it also offers a variety of physical and mental health benefits!
Beyond exfoliation and reducing breakouts, facials offer many other lesser-known advantages. From anxiety reduction to blood circulation improvement, here are five surprising and incredible facial benefits you didn’t know about!
What Is a Facial?
A facial is a skin treatment typically serving one or more specific purposes (such as exfoliation, hydration, anti-aging, or acne reduction). Most of the benefits of monthly facials are familiar to the population. For example, most people know a facial can exfoliate the dead skin cells off the skin's surface. Most people also understand that regular facials can lessen the frequency and severity of breakouts.
Unlike some other complexion-improving procedures, a facial is noninvasive. Providers often recommend customized facial treatments based on each client’s skin type, aesthetic concerns, and personal preferences. No matter what facial you receive, your complexion will most likely look and feel much brighter, healthier, and smoother than before your treatment.
What Are the Different Types of Facials?
Many providers offer a wide variety of facials. Choosing between them might seem overwhelming, especially if you’ve never received a facial before. The good news is that you can’t go wrong with any type of facial because they all improve the skin somehow. Plus, one of the benefits of regular facials is that you can choose a different type each time. Eventually, you’ll discover which options you prefer over others.You might feel a little overwhelmed when they present you with your options and ask you to choose which one you want. While not all providers offer the same selection of treatments, here’s a general list of the most common types of facials you might encounter:
- Classic or traditional
- Acne-reducing
- Hydrating
- Anti-aging
- Anti-stress
- Complexion brightening
Some locations also offer highly specific facials, such as men’s, DiamondGlow, and LED facials. Check with your provider to see what facial types they offer and what each type entails. That way, you’ll be better prepared to select the ideal facial for your needs.
What are the Most Common Facial Benefits?
As many people know, facials have the following benefits:
- Boost collagen production
- Improve acne-prone skin
- Relieve dehydrated skin
- Reduce noticeable signs of the aging process on the skin
- Provide a healthier and balanced complexion
- even skin tone
- Brighten dull skin
- Improve overall skin health
What Are Some Lesser-Known Benefits of Facials?
What are the benefits of facials, and why are they among the most popular noninvasive treatment options in the nation? Beyond rejuvenating the skin and helping you achieve that healthy, coveted “glow,” facials can boost your health and appearance in surprising ways. Here are five of the lesser-known benefits regular facial treatments can provide.
1. Anxiety Reduction
Everyone experiences anxiety occasionally in their lives. It’s the body’s natural way of responding to stressors. However, when anxiety lasts for a long time, becomes extreme, or diminishes your quality of life, it becomes a mental health concern. It’s important to talk to your healthcare provider if you think you have an anxiety disorder. They may prescribe medication, therapy, or other treatments to help improve your symptoms.
If you just struggle with occasional stress-induced bouts of anxiety, you should know that anxiety reduction is one of the lesser-known benefits of getting facials. One study reveals a link between facial massage and reduced anxiety. It seems that massaging the face activates the sympathetic nervous system and can lead to notable mood improvement. So, the next time you’re feeling overwhelmed or down, consider calling your favorite spa or aesthetic services provider and scheduling a relaxing facial.
2. Eye De-Puffing
Most people know how uncomfortable and embarrassing it can be to have puffy eyes. The delicate under-eye area can become swollen and puffy for a variety of reasons, including:
- Stress
- Dehydration
- Allergies
- Lack of sleep
- Fluid retention
- Crying
- Consuming excessive salt
- Genetic predisposition
- Aging
Putting cold compresses on the under-eye area can help reduce swelling. However, depending on the underlying cause of the problem, this solution may not always yield successful results. Fortunately, eye depuffing is one of the surprising benefits of facials that most people don’t know about.
Most facials involve gentle facial massage. Your provider may carefully massage the under-eyes and surrounding areas to help excess fluids drain properly. They may also apply specialized creams and serums to nourish, hydrate, and refresh the under-eyes. You’ll likely notice your eyes feel brighter, more youthful, and less puffy after your session.
Related Reading: Learn how to care for your skin during the winter months.
3. Reduction of Unwanted HRT Symptoms
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is the prescribed replacement or supplementation of estrogen or other female hormones. Some providers recommend HRT for women experiencing unwanted symptoms from perimenopause, menopause, or post-menopause. Some of these symptoms may include vaginal dryness and discomfort, plummeting libido, mood swings, and hot flashes.
While HRT can improve the overall quality of life for many women, it doesn’t come without its drawbacks. It’s not unusual for women who receive hormone replacement therapy to experience specific skin issues they haven’t dealt with in years. These may include:
- Acne breakouts
- Age spots and other hyperpigmentation problems
- Flaky, itchy, or dry skin caused by dead skin cells
If you develop any of these complexion problems while receiving HRT, don’t panic! One benefit of regular facials is that they can combat almost each specific skin concern and many more common aesthetic issues. Let your provider know what skin problems bother you the most. They’ll use their experience and training to recommend the perfect facial treatment for your needs.
4. Free-Radical Neutralization
Unlike other parts of your body, your face is almost always left uncovered. Therefore, it’s constantly exposed to harmful UV rays, toxic chemicals, free radicals, and other pollutants known as free radicals. It’s little wonder that the face is one of the first body parts to show obvious signs of aging. It’s also unsurprising that many people start reaping the benefits of monthly facials as early as their 20s.
Free radicals are unstable molecules that steal electrons from healthy molecules in the body. They lead to oxidative stress, which damages and kills healthy cells. This unfortunate process can lead to illness, diseases, and premature aging. This is bad news for anyone who wants to maintain their youthful complexion for as long as they possibly can. Unfortunately, there’s no way to avoid free radicals because our bodies create them completely, and they’re found in our environment. Some common sources of free radicals include:
- Ozone
- Cigarette smoke
- Industrial solvents
- Pesticides
- Certain drugs
- Ultraviolet radiation (from tanning beds or direct sunlight)
- Various environmental pollutants
Before you get too discouraged, it’s important to know you can reduce the impact of free radicals on your body and skin. One of the benefits of facials is that they often include the application of antioxidant-rich serums and creams. Antioxidants neutralize free radicals by donating electrons to them.
Once the free radicals have their missing electrons replaced by antioxidants, they no longer have to steal electrons from your body’s healthy cells. Thus, antioxidants reduce free radicals’ power to cause cellular damage and premature aging in your body. They also assist in DNA repair to support healthy, glowing skin.
5. Blood Flow Improvement
A healthy blood supply is crucial for radiant skin. It delivers hydration and nutrients to the complexion and can help reduce visible signs of aging. Poor blood circulation, on the other hand, can lead to uneven skin tone, frequent breakouts, and a dull-looking complexion. Poor blood flow can have many different underlying causes, such as:
- Genetic conditions
- Dehydration
- Diabetes
- Poor lifestyle habits
- Inflammation
- Smoking
- Obesity
- Old age
If you have signs of poor circulation, you’ll appreciate that increased blood flow is one of the lesser-known benefits of regular facials. Facial massage stimulates circulation and increases blood flow to the skin. That means you’ll leave your appointment with a more radiant, healthy-looking complexion. To support good blood flow, ensure you stay adequately hydrated throughout the day and exercise regularly.
Are Facials Safe for Sensitive Skin?
Facials are safe and gentle enough for most skin types. However, not all facials are ideal for sensitive skin. Some can cause inflammation, irritation, and discomfort for those with an extra-delicate complexion. Therefore, consult with your provider if you have any concerns about your eligibility for a specific facial. Let them know your skin history so they can select a gentle facial that will heal and rejuvenate your skin instead of potentially irritating it.
