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Since there’s nowhere to go during the pandemic, it’s possible that you’ve been ignoring your skin slightly. Facials at home seem like a great idea during this time, considering that you’re ought to be a little on-the-fence about a stranger touching your face.
“Moreover, hectic schedules with never-ending work-from-home assignments, stress and anxiety of living a pandemic-riddled world has its effects showing our skin”, says a skin expert. Not to mention the damage caused by external dirt and pollution. In such times, it’s best to skip your date with a salon and give yourself a self-care day at home itself. Your face seems like a good place to start.
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Facials are the best way to enhance skin texture, while simultaneously cleaning it and leave it soft and smooth. In fact, proper facial plays a significant role in maintaining good skin health. It helps exfoliate and hydrate your skin, while also aiding the fading of blemishes. So, without further ado, here’s an easy-to-follow guide on giving yourself the perfect facial at home.
1. What Is A Facial?
2. What Are The Benefits Of A Facial?
3. Effective ways to do facial at home:
4. Step By Step Guide To Do Facial At Home
5. FAQs On Home Facials
What Is A Facial?
A facial is considered to be a beauty treatment which is designed to exfoliate, energize or treat the skin on your face. It’s a procedure that involves steam, creams, masks, peels and massages. Experts say that they are used for general skin health as well as for specific skin conditions. Facials can help with clearing your complexion, against ageing and also just to relax.
What Are The Benefits Of A Facial?
• Removes Dead Skin
Facials are mainly done to get rid of dead skin. This process is called exfoliation. The dead skin cells, that may be piling up on a layer of new skin, are scrubbed off. According to Dermatologists, If these aren’t removed, they make your skin rough and dry.
Sometimes, face peeling masks are also used to get rid of dead skin cells. But any kind of scrubs, ranging from apricot to coffee.
• Reduces Stress
Facials are one of the most relaxing skin treatments to opt for. They can help you get rid of unwanted stress and tension. A study says that there are hundreds of pressure points on your face that are connected to various systems in your body, that activates your sympathetic nervous system. This reduces your anxiety levels and also uplifts your mood. When the pressure points are massaged, your body responds to it. So, facials not only rejuvenate your skin but also your mind.
• Anti-aging
With age, your skin loses its luster and that’s quite natural. Skin experts say that your lifestyle and also external factors like pollution and dirt can make it difficult for your skin to form new cells. Facials can help rejuvenate the skin and improve your skin texture. Regular facials and face massages boost cell regeneration and promote better skin defence. This gives you younger and better looking skin.
• Detoxification of the skin
With our daily routine, a lot of dirt accumulates on to the skin. It’s imperative that this is washed off on a daily basis. Washing your face can help, but some dirt can find a way into your pores and facials can help detoxify your skin. According to Doctors, During a facial, the treatment opens up pores and removes all dirt, thus preventing acne and other skin issues.
Effective ways to do facial at home:
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Step By Step Guide To Do Facial At Home
Step 1: Face Cleansing
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Cleansing is the first process before any skin treatment. It is really important to cleanse your face properly to remove any dirt or makeup before you start with your facial. You can even begin by wiping off any makeup residue from the face using wipes or a makeup remover. Then, use an oil or water-based cleanser, depending on your skin. Use a mild foam cleanser, in case you have sensitive skin.
Pro-tip: Stick with facial cleansers that are gentle and designed for your skin type.
Step 2: Exfoliation
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The second step is to exfoliate and remove the dead skin. Exfoliating also helps polish your skin and give you a glow. You can use any scrub that suits your skin and rub it gently onto your face and neck in a circular motion. Scrub for at least a minute or two and rinse with lukewarm water.
Pro-tip: Rubbing too hard and too frequently will only cause more harm than good to your skin.
Step 3: Massage
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Let’s move on to the most fun part of the treatment. According to the skin- specialist this step is essential to improve blood circulation and muscle tones. Take some amount of face massage cream. Start with the middle of your forehead and then move to the cheekbones. Then massage your nose and chin. Lastly, message over your lips and massage your jawline in upward strokes. Don’t forget to massage the neck, it’s also equally important. Wash your face with water after a good massage time.
Pro-tip: Use a circular motion to rub your fingers into your temples and face muscles.
Step 4: Take Steam
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After exfoliating and massaging, next comes the steam. It helps to open your pores and get rid of any dirt that might be stuck inside it. This step does wonders for acne-prone skin. If you don’t have a steamer at home, simply boil water in a container on your stove. Then take it off the gas and lean over with a towel covering your headcovered with a towel and take steam for 5-10 minutes.
Pro-Tip: Add aromatic oils like lavender oil to the water for the salon-like experience.
Step 5: Face Mask
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After all this, your skin needs some nourishment. Face masks can help return the moisture to your skin which the exfoliating and steaming may have taken away. For this, you can even use a sheet mask or make one yourself at home.
Pro-Tip: Spread the mask evenly across your face, starting at your upper neck don’t forget your neck that’s equally important.
Step 6: Toning and Moisturising
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Toning is also a very important step when it comes to skincare. Now that your skin has absorbed the nutrients, toner will help to close your pores. Take a cotton pad, pour a small amount of toner and move the cotton pad all over the face. Follow this up with a moisturizer and apply it all over your face using your fingers. Gently massage the cream onto your face and neck. This concludes your six-step home facial treatment.
Pro tip: Use a moisturizer with hydrating ingredients which can actually make your cells more active.
FAQs On Home Facials
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Q. How often should you do facial?
A. The general recommendation by experts is that one should get a facial done every three to four weeks or once a month, approximately once in 28 days. That’s how long your skin’s life cycle is.
After three or four weeks, your skin cells grow back, so ideally facials should be done atleast once a month regularly to have healthy and glowing skin.
Q. How long does the glow after a facial last?
A. The immediate glow after a facial typically lasts for about 48 to 72 hours. This is because the skin is clean and deeply hydrated. Moreover, circulation has been boosted, owing to the rigorous massaging during the facial, allowing fresh blood to bring new nutrients to the cells.
Q. What skin care routine should be followed after a facial?
A. After you’ve got a facial done, it’s important to follow a rigid skincare routine to maintain your glow. You should exfoliate your skin at least once every week. Every face wash should be followed up by moisturising your face and using SPF. Cleansing and toning your face is a ritual you should carry out at the end of every day, especially on the days you wear makeup. You should also avoid touching your face often as the dirt on your hands can transfer into the pores of your skin and cause acne.
