Facials aren’t just for blushing brides but for everyone who wants a healthier glow to their skin. Facial for men isn’t a very popular concept. That's the reason why we have prepared the ultimate guide to take you to the world of facials and their benefits.
What Is A Facial?
A facial is a cosmetic procedure performed by an expert to cater to multiple needs of the skin. A basic facial is a treatment that:
- Cleans pores
- Exfoliates dead skin cells
- Uses a bespoke mask to treat common skin issues
This multi-step procedure is designed to nourish and regenerate the skin of the face, giving the illusion of a brighter and youthful skin.
A facial cannot be limited to a single treatment. Facials for men have left the spa and entered a dermatologist's clinic. Today, even laser facial and acupuncture fall into the same category.
The fundamental difference between a facial performed in a spa and a dermatologist is the impact. If you want short-term results, the spa is the place for you. However, if you want long-lasting results, your next facial appointment should be booked to see a dermatologist.
How Often Should Men Get a Facial?
Don’t worry; we will not ask you to empty your bank account. In an ideal world, facials for men should be done 4 to 6 times a year. In simpler terms, you can go every two months or during the change of seasons. It is the best time to prepare your skin for the weather shift.
Reasons Why Men Should Get A Facial
A facial is akin to a fairy godmother; it can transform your skin in no time. Here are a few reasons why facial for men is essential:
1. Facials Help Deep Clean your Pores
Extraction is a method used during facials which keeps your pores clean. Extraction is when the facialist takes blackheads from your pores, securely bursts zits, and removes pimples. It's not the same as squeezing a pimple. It's not the same as squeezing a pimple. The benefit of extraction is that the facialist can clean the pore with retinol to reduce its size and improve the general appearance.
2. Facials Give Better and Safer Exfoliation
A facial will provide deeper exfoliation than you can receive at home, similar to cleansing. Exfoliation helps the products you're using enter deeper and function better by removing dead skin cells, improving skin tone, reducing pore size, and improving the penetration and effectiveness of the products you're using.
Professional-level exfoliating products, unlike the scrubs you use at home, can reach deeper layers of the skin and remove more dead skin cells.
3. Facials Help You Understand Your Skin Better
When you go for a facial, the expert will get a better look at your skin from behind his expert lens and educate you about the type of skin you have, how to take care of it and what kind of products to use.
4. Your Skin Gets Access to Professional Tools
Aside from using superior products during a facial, estheticians and dermatologists also have better instruments at their disposal to truly improve your skin. Many LED lights are used, and some of them employ radio frequency, electric current, and ultrasound.
How To Prepare For A Men’s Facial
It isn’t an arduous task to prepare a facial. All you have to do is be mindful of a few things before going in for a facial.
1. Just Shave it Off
Since shaving is a natural form of exfoliation, it is good to shave for enhanced results. However, do not shave right before your appointment. Shaving can leave the skin tender, irritated, and particularly sensitive to cosmetics, so shaving the day or evening before is a far better alternative.
2. It’s Not Magic
Prepare to not be shocked. You might not see the effects of the facial as soon as it is over. Your skin will likely appear more moisturised and smooth, depending on how it appeared previously and your unique skin issues. The exfoliation or extractions may cause some redness, but this is usually very transient.
How To Do Facial At Home
There is a DIY alternative for facials for men. So, if you want to become the master and learn how to do a facial at home, here is your bible:
STEP 1: Cleanse
Cleansing the skin is like preparing the canvas. You need a clean surface to create the art. Start with a gentle cleanser that suits your skin type.
Benefit:
Helps remove any residue from the skin so that the products you are going to apply can seep better into the skin.
STEP 2: Exfoliate
Once you have clean skin, you want to get rid of any bumps in the road. Go in with a scrub that is for your specific skin type.
Benefit:
Removes dead skin cells and helps you get a smoother texture.
STEP 3: Take Steam
The steam raises the skin's interior warmth and dilates the pores slightly. To take steam, follow the steps below:
- Fill a pot with hot water.
- Place a towel on your head.
- Put your face above the pot, maintaining a distance of a minimum of 8 inches.
- Enjoy the steam for 10-15 minutes.
Benefit:
Removes impurities and gives the skin a healthy glow
STEP 4: Extraction
It is time to get impurities out. Wash your hands thoroughly before starting this step. Use an extraction tool to remove blackheads. Follow the steps given on the tool when you start extraction.
Benefit:
Keeps the pores clean and prevents build of oil and impurities in the skin
STEP 5: Apply a Mask
A mask helps cater to a particular skin problem.
Want to hydrate your skin? Use a hydrating sheet mask.
Want to de-tan? Use a Charcoal clay mask.
Depending on your purpose, choose a mask that suits your skin type. There is an array of masks available in the market, which can be helpful. If you do not want to purchase, you can also make a DIY mask using ingredients available in your kitchen.
Benefit:
Masks can help provide a supple look to your skin and are helpful to reduce tanning
STEP 6: Pamper Your Skin
Apply a serum, followed by a moisturiser that helps hydrate the skin. Since you have exposed it to scrubbing and extraction, it is vital to treat and pamper your skin to lock the effects of the mask.
Benefit:
Serums and moisturisers lock in the benefits of the facial and help keep your skin hydrated.
STEP 7: Massage
The final step is to give your face a nice massage. Massage helps remove puffiness from the face and provide a glowing complexion. If not done correctly, there can be disadvantages to a face massage. You can either use your fingers or a jade roller.
Benefit:
A massage helps increase the blood flow in the skin and helps enhance the elasticity of the skin,
Types Of Facial For Men
There are many types of facial for men which cater to different needs of your skin:
1. Acne Facial
Of course, the reduction of face acne is the main benefit of this form of facial. The therapy should help the skin equilibrium by reducing redness and inflammation. You can help avoid recurring outbreaks by using regular treatments.
2. Anti-aging Facial
Glycolic acid treatments, collagen-infused serums, and hyaluronic acid are all used in facials to help restore skin firmness and decrease the appearance of lines and wrinkles.
Regularly getting these facials might assist in making your skin appear young, supple, and smooth.
3. Deep Cleansing Facial
Aside from having blemish-free skin, a Deep Cleansing Facial treatment has the added benefit of removing toxins, excess oil, dead skin cells, and debris from your skin, helping it feel and look fresher, thus giving you that youthful radiance.
4. Exfoliating Facial
Exfoliation is removing dry, dead skin cells from the skin's surface. It's one of the most crucial components of your everyday skincare routine, not just for your face but also for your body.
Exfoliation can help with various skin issues and increase blood circulation, which helps you obtain healthy and radiant skin.
5. Oxygen Facial
The oxygen levels in our skin naturally decrease as we age (not that any of us are: wink), contributing to wrinkles and fine lines. This is where the oxygen facial comes in.
This specialised skin treatment is designed to restore a youthful aspect to your face by replenishing the levels of oxygen in your skin, smoothing out wrinkles, and restoring oxygen levels in your skin.
Facial Vs Clean Up
Most people get confused between a facial and clean up. In the battle of facial vs clean up, it is crucial to understand the fundamental difference between them.
CLEAN UP:
- A cleanup, like a facial, includes cleansing, scrubbing, and applying a mask.
- A clean up helps remove excess dirt and oils from the skin from a surface level.
- While a facial includes face massage, a clean up does not.
- A clean up should be done every two weeks to maintain healthy skin
FACIAL:
- Includes cleansing, scrubbing, exfoliation, extraction, applying a mask and face massage
- A facial should be done 4 to 6 times a year
Disadvantages of Facial Massage
There are no disadvantages of a facial massage as such. However, be mindful of the following things:
- You are more prone to develop drooping skin when massage is done poorly
- Massage that is too deep or too rough might result in bruises and muscular discomfort that can continue for several days.
- In some situations, it can result in nerve damage.
- When it comes to facial massage, a lack of ability and too much stretching can leave your skin looking unattractive.
Summing Up On Facial For Men
Now that you have a complete guide to facial for men, all you need to do is book an appointment and give your skin some much-needed pampering. You can also have a facial at home, but be mindful of your products.
FAQs
Which Facial Is Good for Men?
When deciding which facial is good for men, consider your skin type and the problem you want to target. Find products that are suitable for your skin type. Cleanse and moisturise your face twice a day for the best results.
How Long Do Facial Effects Last?
The effects of facials can last for around 4-6 weeks, hence they should be planned every 4 to 6 weeks. Regular care is complimentary with a competent routine to get lasting advantage.
Do I Need to Shave Before a Facial?
Yes, since shaving is a natural exfoliator, it is advisable to shave before a facial for best results. However, ensure that you shave at least a day before and not immediately before going for a facial.
Can I Work Out After Facial?
You might be tempted to squeeze in a workout before your facial if you didn't get a chance to do it before, but it's wise to wait until the day after. Sweat and the increased heat in the skin might irritate your newly healed skin, not to mention harbour bacteria.
