Ohm Spa & Lounge In Forbes.com On Skincare Tips

Summertime Facial Tips: 6 Best Spots For A Glowing Face

by Alicia Adamczyk, Forbes Staff

With a nail salon on every corner seemingly offering the luxury service, it appears the facial has gone mainstream. But according to estheticians and skincare specialists, you might want to think twice before you allow just anyone to zap away blackheads and massage argan oil into your pores.

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One of the most important things to remember when getting a facial is that the treatment is not one-size-fits-all: Make sure your esthetician personalizes the products to your skin type and methods to your personal preference. For example, those with sensitive skin might want to avoid the harsh, complicated treatments that those with oily skin might swear by.

“Whether you have dry skin, oily skin, acne-prone skin, sensitive skin or a combination of all the above, a good skincare therapist should perform a customized service that is best suited to your particular condition,” says Jon Ho, the director of Ohm Spa in New York.

And like most things, the estheticians I spoke to stressed that less is often more when it comes to facials and skin treatments. Intuitively, this makes sense: The fewer ingredients there are in a product (remember, this product is being massaged into your face) the less likely you are to experience a negative reaction or breakout. This is especially important for pregnant women.

“A lot of the chemicals used in products can lead to irritation or sensitivities. Of course this can happen with natural products as well, but it just seems silly and pointless to cause an irritation because of artificial and unnecessary ingredients,” adds Ho.

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Additionally, your facialist shouldn’t push product on you the entire time you’re receiving a facial. Many estheticians are pressured to meet sales-quotas and to promote specific serums, lotions or creams during the facial, leading to unnecessary recommendations. And the treatment is, after all, supposed to be relaxing.

“Your facial should be all about improving your skin and complexion, not about receiving an hour-long sales pitch,” says Ho.

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