I absolutely love a visit to the spa—nothing feels quite as decadent, but it’s definitely a rare luxury for me as a working mom with two kids under the age of 5. If you recently got a gift certificate from your husband for a spa trip or you’re treating yourself to a visit you probably want to make it worth your while, after all, us moms don’t get many opportunities to take that kind of break.
It can be overwhelming to decide just what treatment to indulge in when you visit the spa, particularly when it comes to facials. There are so many different options and since facials can be on the pricey side you certainly don’t want to waste your time or money going for one that’s either not going to be beneficial for your skin or that you’re not going to enjoy.
Here are a few basic tips to help you ensure you choose the right facial during your next luxurious trip to the spa:
- Think about your skin type before choosing any spa treatment. If you have naturally oily skin you’re not likely to opt for a facial that promises to moisturize and on the other hand if your skin is dry you probably don’t want something intended to clear up blemishes or excess oiliness. If you’re not sure what your skin type is, have the aesthetician give you his or her opinion before choosing a treatment.
- Before undergoing a facial you should ask what you’re going to look like after it’s completed. Options like refreshing and cleansing facials are likely just going to make you look fresh and ready to go a few minutes later, but there are other facials, particularly those found at medi-spas that can leave your skin looking red, irritated or even peeling for a few hours or days afterwards. These can still be great treatments but you want to make sure you’re not booking this on the day you have a special event or somewhere to be right after your appointment.
- Think about your skin’s problem areas. If you have a particular issue you really want to address, for example sun spots and discoloration or adult acne, this can be a good place to start during the process of selecting a facial.
- Have a thorough understanding of the ingredients that are in a facial to ensure you’re not allergic or that you’re not going to have a bad reaction to something. Even though an ingredient may not be listed directly on the spa menu it can still be in the products used by the aesthetician so get a rundown before you get started.
- If your primary goal is to shave a few years off your face, you probably want to opt with a facial that has a significant dose of exfoliation that’s part of the treatment or even a peel, but beware, these can look like a disaster right after they’re done, so give yourself a few days to let your skin heal up.
These are just a few facial selecting tips—as a mom, what are your favorite facial treatments?