For years facials have been among the most popular spa treatments and are used to nourish, pamper and treat the skin thus evoking a feeling of wellness and relaxation. Right now with social distancing requirements in place to keep us all safe, we are not able to receive our much needed treatments, so medispa owner Tammy Norman has put together an invigorating facial you can do in the comfort of your own home until it is safe for in-spa visits.
This at home spa facial will not only help you look amazing, it will help bring calm and zen that we need now more than ever to boost our mood. Look great, feel great, pass it on!
Step 1 Remove Your Makeup
Start by setting the spa scene and wrap your hair back from your face. Gently remove your eye makeup. Eye makeup remover usually contains an oil base that easily allows mascaras and shadows to slide off. Careful not to rub the area! As we age lashes that get inadvertently pulled out may not grow back. Also, the area around your eyes is a little more sensitive, vigorous rubbing can result in bruising or broken capillaries. Be gentle.
Step 2 Cleanse
With clean, wet hands apply dime size dollop of cleanser to your full face, avoiding the eye area. Gently apply your cleanser in a circular motion to the forehead (20 seconds), cheeks (10 seconds), nose (20 seconds), then chin (15 seconds). Make sure your products are sulfate and paraben free. Remove your cleanser with a clean, warm, damp facecloth.
Tip: . I recommend Azela Cleanse for this spa treat as it will leave your face feeling invigorated, tingly and clean. It contains azelaic acid, kaolin clay, biosulphur and arnica extract.
Step 3 Steam
If you have a facial steamer at home, great, if not, not to worry. Instead fill a large bowl ¾ full of boiled water and hold your face 6 to 8 inches above it (putting a large towel over your head to keep the steam in is optional, always being careful not to burn yourself). This can be done for 2-5 minutes. This will relax facial muscles, open pores, soften blackheads, whiteheads, and loosen dead skin cells getting them ready for removal.
Tip: If you have used the Azela Cleanse from step 2 you will be feeling the tingle, with a bonus of opening your sinus’.
Step 4 Peel / Extractions
I do NOT recommend regular extractions at home as more often than not it is ineffective, often results in spreading bacteria, can cause bruising, broken capillaries and sometimes permanent damage. Instead a good enzyme peel will go deep into the already loosened dead skin, open pores and help remove the oil plugs of blackheads and whiteheads. Apply a thin to medium film cover of enzyme peel to entire face except eye area with a silicone flat facial brush. Your face will redden and tingle. Remove with a wet facecloth after 15 minutes.
Tip: I recommend CoEnzyme Exfoliant by Elegance MD. It is gentle enough for sensitive and rosacea prone skin, yet powerful enough to treat acneic issues.
Step 5 Mask Treatment
Now its time for detoxification and nourishment with a mask. Apply to full face, except the eye area, with a silicone flat facial brush. Relax with your favorite book, meditation or music for 15 minutes, then wash off with a warm, damp facecloth.
Tip: I recommend Purifying Mask from Elegance MD which is an ultra conditioning mineral rich mask. Nurturing botanical extracts and detoxifying kaolin and bentonite clays draw out impurities from deep within the skin while stimulating cellular turnover. Colloidal silver, aloe vera and seaweed extracts add nourishment to unbalanced or devitalized skin.
Step 6 Serum Treatment
Depending on your skin condition this step will vary. Start with your eye serum. Put a pea size dollop on the tip of your third finger and gently dab under the eyes and over the orbital bone (just below the eyebrow). Your eye serum should tighten and reduce dark circles.
Next apply a nickel size dollop of serum, the type will depend on your skin condition ie Rosacea, Anti-Aging, Pigmentation prevention, Acne (apply to breakout areas only). Allow to absorb into the skin (2 minutes).
Tip: I recommend Eye Serum from Elegance MD to firm and tighten the delicate eye area, as well as deal with inflammation and dark circles; Azela Serum for pigmentation spots; Rapid Rx Serum for fine lines; Pur Serum for acne, Calming Serum for Rosacea and Sensitive Skin including Eczema and Psoriasis; Vitamin C Antiox Serum for anti-aging, stimulates collagen, brown spot prevention.
Step 7 Moisturize
Now it is time to nourish. Once your serum has fully absorbed into your skin, apply a nickel sized dollop of moisturizer to your full face, again avoiding the eye area (look for paraben and sulfate free). This is the time that you an incorporate a gentle massage or tapping ritual into your facial. If it is evening time. voila, you are all done!
Tip: Moisturizer should be selected according to your skin type: Acne, Sensitive, Eczema, Psoriasis: Calming Crème; Anti-Aging and Pigmentation: Radiance Rx Moisturizer.
Step 8 SPF Daytime Always
If you are doing your facial during daylight hours applying SPF 30 to 50 afterwards is a MUST! Typically, the size of 1-2 peas is sufficient when using good sun protection. Remember to reapply every 2 hours when in direct sun and wear a hat to protect that beautiful face.
Tip: I recommend doing your facial at night and therefore SPF is not required.
Professional facials are recommended once a month. This At-Home Facial can be done once a week. Keeping a regular routine for self care is extremely important especially in times of high stress. You would not drive your car at 110kms hour, 8 hours a day, 30 days straight without servicing it with oil changes and additives, why would your face and body be any different. Nourish YOU!
If you have any questions about your skincare do not hesitate to contact me.
Be safe, be calm, be beautiful!
Tammy Norman
Medical Esthetics
Owner & Operator
Satin Laser Spa