Facials: The Key to Maintaining Younger-looking Skin?

The appearance of someone’s skin can tell us a lot about him or her; especially in regards to general health and age. Wrinkles, fine lines, acne scars, blemishes, and/or other skin imperfections often take years off of our facial skin – crucially affecting the overall appearance of the face. So how do we prevent, or get rid of, these distinct qualities? The answer is maintaining a proper skin care regimen, which may include getting a facial on a regular basis.

Up until a few weeks ago, I had never received a facial. So I was delighted that my first experience took me to Face to Face Los Angeles, located in Studio City, California! Marianne Kehoe, one of the owners and an aesthetician at Face to Face, took the time to discuss how their facial serves as a clinical treatment versus a pampering treatment (in which facials are also quite effective in providing). Kehoe explained that their facials are a unique approach to providing facial rejuvenation.

At Face To Face, the treatment is performed through a holistic approach - working from the inside out. By starting with the dermis (what's inside), it helps to restore the surface of the skin, making it appear more youthful and dewy.

Kehoe said, “"My philosophy is if you are able to penetrate vitamins and minerals into the skin after thorough extractions using a current called galvanic, this allows better results - healthy, hydrated skin."

In addition, If you put vitamins and minerals into the skin and push them out (using a galvanic current), this allows you to work under the skin, which promotes more collagen and skin elasticity.

Collagen provides structural support to our skin and elasticity is what maintains the firmness of our skin; this prevents wrinkles and loose skin from forming. Typically, age 25 is when our skin elasticity starts to wear down, which is a good time to start regular facial treatment (or before 25 to attain better results).

Factors that cater to the breaking down of collagen and elasten include: lack of exercise, poor eating habits, smoking, alcohol, and infrequent use of proper moisturizers. Facials can help to alleviate these effects, but having a well-balanced diet and incorporating proper daily skin care habits is the key to regulating and maintaining healthy skin.

Based on my own experience, a facial can dramatically change the look of your skin, by opening pores and promoting regulation of the skin with the assistance of vitamins and minerals.

My experience at Face to Face of Los Angeles:

I was little weary having a facial for the first time, due to my sensitive skin. I have a history of frequent breakout rashes from a majority of the skin care products I’ve tried. To my surprise, after my facial treatment, my cheeks were only slightly rosy; and the next day, my skin looked refreshed and felt clean.

The facial I received at Face to Face is known as an Iderm ® Dermaculture Facial Treatment. The method consists of delivering healthy vitamins and minerals into the skin using the galvanic current that reaches deep beneath the skin. The galvanic current pushes minerals into the skin and then pushes them back out. During this process, I could taste the minerals in my mouth (it was a metallic taste), which was a bit awkward. But after a minute or two, I became accustomed to it. Kehoe said this is normal; this is because the minerals are absorbing into my entire facial skin and cleansing it, and then being pushed out through my pores. She said that this type of facial is effective in treating individuals with acne, acne scarring, wrinkles, or other skin conditions.

In order for the treatment to show significant results, she suggests undergoing an Iderm Facial Treatment every two weeks. The best part of this service is that it can be used on all skin types, even those with extremely sensitive skin, like me.

Overall, my experience was a positive one. My skin felt smooth and refreshed immediately after the treatment. Tips: if you are considering a facial for the first time, be sure to go in without make-up. If you have long hair, tie it back, as you do not want to get any of the products in your hair.

As suggested by Kehoe, a facial treatment should be incorporated into a regular routine, because the key to good skin care is having a facial at least once a month. She suggests seeing a regular treatment as a “gym for the skin.” This makes sense considering that a workout helps to build and maintain a healthy body; therefore, facials are “strength training” for promoting the firming and tightening of the skin.

If you are looking to build up the strength of your own skin, facials are a great way to start. In addition, when going in for a facial treatment, an aesthetician will suggest products for your skin type and give you tips on maintaining healthy skin.

In conclusion, I learned a lot about facial skin care when visiting Kehoe at Face to Face. Due to my extremely sensitive skin, Kehoe suggested coming in for an Iderm Facial on a regular basis and, over time, the sensitivity of my skin will improve. She also suggested getting Face to Face’s Infusion Polish, which is perfect for sun damaged skin and rosacea (which I do show a minor case of). I may consider that for my next visit!

Iderm Dermaculture Facial Treatment: $125

Face to Face Los Angeles
11331 Ventura Boulevard, Suite 2a
Studio City, California, 91604
Phone: 818-505-0107