Ask the Esty: 3 Tips to Take Care of Your Skin Right Now

We all know that stress can trigger skin problems and reactions, and with the heightened stress we’re all experiencing, there is no better time for a facial.

However, considering the current health crisis situation, you may be second guessing your beauty appointments right now.

We understand that you have to make the decision that is best for you. However, with certain practices your worries about visiting your esthetician can be put at ease.

Licensed esthetician Louise O’Loughlin shares what she is doing at her spa to ensure a safe and sanitary space for her and her clients, and provides alternatives to take care of your skin, including virtual skin care appointments and how you can perform a mini facial treatment at home.

1. Watch for these Sanitary Spa Practices

Rest assure, a lot of these practices are already done at the spa or salon, but here’s a checklist that you can review to make sure that your spa is practicing a sanitary and clean environment:

• All surfaces, from front door to front desk and treatment room areas, are being sanitized regularly and between clients.
  
  
• Clients are asked to wash hands upon arrival with disposable paper towels.
  
  
• Gloves and masks are being worn by the therapist for all treatments.
  
  
• Fresh bed sheets and towels are being used for each client and in many instances, are disposable.
  
  
• All tools and accessories used are either disposable or can be sterilized correctly, whether with alcohol or an autoclave.
  
  
• The spa is practicing a flexible re-booking policy and encouraging clients who feel ill to cancel their appointments.

2. Book a Virtual Skin Care Appointment

If you want to limit your beauty appointments, or don’t feel comfortable visiting the spa at this time, now is a great time to do virtual skin care appointments with your esthetician.

Chat with your esthetician via social media, WhatsApp,  FaceTime or even Skype if you have any concerns about your skin and to learn best practices that you can do at home to maintain healthy-looking skin.

Your virtual skin consult is also a great time to go over your at-home skin care regimen.  Your skin care professional can recommend any additional products you may need, and make them available to you for a quick pickup, or, depending on your salon or spa, delivery.

3. Perform a Mini At Home Facial

If you are in an area that recommends restricting activities, another option to take of your skin is to perform mini facial treatments at home to help maintain your skin. What better way to de-stress, relax and unwind too?

How to perform a facial at home:

1. Cleanse skin. Apply appropriate facial cleanser in circular motions and gently remove with cotton saturated in lukewarm water.

2. Tone. Apply the appropriate toner to help re-balance the appearance of the skin.

3. Serum. Apply your serum to the face and neck and administer a 5-7 minute facial massage.

4. Mask and Massage. Apply a sustainably-harvested seaweed-based mask or sheet mask. With sheet masks, make sure to adjust the mask to fit tightly to the contours of the face and leave on for 10 minutes. You can administer a facial massage with a professional massage such, such as our Silver Ball Massager or Ionto Massager, for added benefits.

5. Massage more. After proper time has elapsed, remove the mask but do not rinse. Massage the residue with tapotement movements.

6. Moisturize. Apply the appropriate moisturizer to entire face and neck area with light strokes.

While you can use your favorite skincare products to perform a mini facial at home, professional facial kits that include free massage tools, such as a facial for sensitive skin or facial for skin brightening are a great option. These are individually packed, which ensures proper sanitation, and allow you to experience professional facial results at home.

And of course, don’t forget to follow your regular skin care routine!  Now more than ever this is essential to maintain healthy-looking and glowing skin.