What's your take on professional facials?
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free skin care · Wed Sep 28, 2005 1:45 pm

Hi, I'm new to the forum! I've been addicted to reading everything in here for the last few days. I sit at work and barely work...I can't stop learning! Lol.

I have weird skin: sensitive, combination, acne- prone. My skin goes through phases: clear for a few months, pimples-galore the next (it's not THAT bad, but exagerating is sometimes part of my personality Wink

, anyhow...I've discovered that with the right products, a facial is a skin saver.

When I first starting getting professional facials, they would cause me to breakout even more- which of course is extremely depressing. I guess it was the products used...just because something cost's a fortune doesnot mean it's any good. Duh! Smile

Then I tried a new place here in Toronto and the facials worked wonders! The price was right and I could afford to go once every 7-10 days until I saw the results I craved. Steaming, cleansing and extracting really helped to decongest my skin. I stopped wearing foundation because I no longer needed it. I also tried a few microdermabrasion treatments but had to stop b/c my skin was slightly fragile since attempting Accutane treatment a few years prior (I never had horrible acne, just persistent pimples and I was lazy...). Anyways, the few Microderm treatments I tried did erase the light red scarring I had left over from a few stubborn pimples. I tanned throughout the summer from frequent trips to the beach (and I did use sunscreen, but tanned regardless) and the tan gave me a really healthy glow. My skin was great and I was happy throughout the summer.

I find that I look polished when wearing foundation and powder, etc so for big events like 2 weddings, a banquet and random dates over the last 1.5 months, I chose to wear those products. I never slept with them on but prolonged wear obviously causedthem to clog my pores and perhaps I didn't cleanse aswell as I should have...who the hell knows WHY (lol), but I started breaking out again. It's so annoying b/c I have all of these tiny, tiny bumps all over my forehead, jawline, temples, etc...WHY does this happen so often?

Is it stress? Hair products, lack of water and vitamins, not exercising enough (to release toxins from my body, not using proper skin care products? Not getting enough sleep, etc? Lol...HELP!

I'd really love to hear your opinions on helping me to clear my skin. I just got a new job and so the money is finally flowing in again (lol), I will certainly get back into the habit of professional facials since they did the trick before...but I'd still love to hear your opinions!!!

Thanks for reading, I know it's a long explaination and rant- thanks for your patience!

Smile

free skin care · Wed Sep 28, 2005 3:21 pm

Hello Belle

What sort of skin care products are you using at home, and during the facial treatments?

If your skin goes to stages of breakouts and then clearing up, regardless of what products you use, then it might be hormonal or stress?

I find that if I am stressed I tend to get more breakouts around the upper area of my face, temples and forehead. But it doesn't show immediately, it takes about 2-3 weeks to catch on. So it may not seem always directly related to something that's happened.

If your skin is sensitive, I'd go for more natural and gentle cleansing and moisturising approaches. Yes it does take more 'effort' but it will save your skin in the end..

free skin care · Wed Sep 28, 2005 4:44 pm

I have noticed the same thing happen to me when I use foundation/powder.

Also how old is your makeup? I noticed that since I hardly wear foundation, I find myself using an old sample and it always breaks me out. It occured to me that maybe there is bacteria in the foundation since it is old? Also when you use powder, do you use a brush or applicator - how old is that, cleaned, etc? These may be things that can irritate your skin too.

Speaking of facials, I'm going for my first AHA facial on Sunday. Keeping my fingers crossed!

free skin care · Thu Sep 29, 2005 5:26 am

Thank you for the replies!

I think older products may be part of the problem, also stress- most definitely.

I use a foundation brush and sometimes a sponge and I also use a brush for powder application.

What are my options to relieve the hormonal culprits? I really, sincerely believe that there is some sort of chemical imbalance going on...lol. Do I sound crazy or just paranoid? Is there any truth to that possibility?

Smile

free skin care · Thu Sep 29, 2005 6:55 am

Toronto_Belle,

Could you share the name the facial place in TO that gave you good facial results at the right price?

Thanks.

free skin care · Thu Sep 29, 2005 9:55 am

tidieu wrote:

Toronto_Belle,

Could you share the name the facial place in TO that gave you good facial results at the right price?

Thanks.

Hi

It's called "Natural Vitality Skincare" located 538 Eglinton Avenue East, a few blocks west of Bayview: 416-481-8833.
www.naturalvsc.com --> Sherry is the facialist, tell her that Valerie recommeded you, she is excellent.

Good luck and if you go, please let me know how it went!

free skin care · Thu Sep 29, 2005 2:22 pm

Hey Toronto Belle

About the hormonal flare-ups, over the years I have seen various doctors and even a dermatologist. NONE of them acknowledge that diet had any connection with skin problems... But I think most of us on here who have made a change to diets would beg to differ.

I find that drinking more water and cutting down on processed foods like biscuits, snacks, really do help. Even if you still get flare ups, the intensitiy is not as bad. THey are simple tips.. but trust me, everyone has trouble keeping away from junk food and picking up good eating habits, because of lifestyle.

free skin care · Thu Sep 29, 2005 3:32 pm

Hi Toronto-Belle,

You wouldn't happen to live in the Leaside area would you? I ask only because the facial place is so close to Leaside ... and I know the area well. I grew up in Leaside ... although I live in rural Ontario now.

Do you work downtown?

I have always had "poor" skin ... and I was convinced that working in downtown Toronto was part of the problem. The reason? Well ... I'd go out and lunch time ... and when I'd return I'd have to clean my glasses because of all the gunk that had accumulated on them during my lunch hour ... and none of it was food! Laughing

So that could be part of your problem.

I also found that, regardless of price, most of the makeup I used to "cover up" my skin inevitably contributed to further problems.

I now use mineral makeup which seems to like my skin better ... provide great protection from pollutants and doesn't annoy my skin. I actually use CoverFX ... which was developed at Sunnybrook Hospital's Dermatology Department.]

How often do you clean your makeup brushes? I keep a spray bottle of 1/2 alcohol and 1/2 boiled water [plus a little sweet orange essential oil ... only because I like the smell!] and I spritz my brushes after every use. Some brushes, [like those I use for concealer or blush etc] I wash to get rid of the pigment, rinse well and spritz. That might be overkill ... but I've found I have fewer problems with this method.

Given that I'm 54, and went through menopause when I was 49/50, I don't think that hormones are or ever were a major culprit ... although I could always count on at least one blemish to arise just before my period! Crying or Very sad

I do however agree that when I alter my usual diet, my skin reacts. Generally, for me, sugar is a problem ... both for my system and my skin. So ... while I'll be very good for months ... not eating sugar ... not even craving it ... there will come a time when I can't resist and I not only end up with a migraine [sugar being one of my triggers] but my face will suffer as well.

So ... while it might be true that no one food can be held responsible for skin breakouts ... I do think that there are some foods that individually we have to avoid. For me, it's sugar ... for someone else it might be coffee ... yada, yada, yada. Certainly drinking enough water is very important as well.

If your life and/or job is stressful ... then make sure that you take your B Complex vitamins. They help your body deal with stress ... and might help your stress-related breakouts.

Mary

free skin care · Thu Sep 29, 2005 5:15 pm

Hello Belle,

I had to reply!!!!!!!

I have the same type of skin, so many things cause me to break out it is really crazy, new make-up, products, too much sugar, caffine, dairy, wheat, stress. It really is not fun.

The trick I do is go right back to what ever it was you did before. I too find mineral make-up really helpful. It gives very very good coverage and no breakouts!!!!!!!!!
When my skin goes on bouts of being really flared up I use my Jane Iredale amazing base and maybe you can see a few bumps but over all it looks really good.

I even had a woman tell me I had a beautiful complexion, what do you know!!!

Facials done correctly can be a Godsent to having clear skin as well as microdermabrasion (deep exfoliation is actually what it does and stimulates the increase in collagen and elastic in the dermis..always good.

ANyways good luck with your skin. Dont forget to go to the Big Carrot Health Food store to stock up on goodies. The people who work at the supplement area are really wise so feel free to ask them for advice!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Feliz

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