Why should I see an esthetician?
Esthetics is the application of various treatments to the skin, to maintain its health and vitality. Estheticians are trained in skin wellness, helping their clients balance oil and moisture content and achieve a healthy, youthful complexion. As well as various facial treatments (described in more detail below), they commonly also perform body treatments such as salt or sugar scrubs, moisturizing or slenderizing body wraps, hair removal techniques such as waxing or threading, and hand/foot treatments to rejuvenate the skin.

A variety of treatments and products are used to protect skin from environmental hazards and combat fine lines, wrinkles, and a dull, uneven skin tone. Estheticians are also skilled in managing conditions such as acne, rosacea, eczema, and dry skin, to name just a few. And finally, skin care treatments are wonderfully relaxing and rejuvenating. If smooth, healthy skin is your goal, visiting a skin care professional can benefit you.
 

Techniques and products
Techniques used by estheticians include facial steaming, wrapping, exfoliation, waxing, pore cleansing, extraction, and chemical peels. Creams, lotions, wraps, clay or gel masks, and scrubs are used. Machines may also be used to help deliver results. Some common treatments include:

Chemical peel: A chemical peel is a treatment in which a solution is used to remove the damaged outer layers of skin and can enhance and smooth the texture of the skin.  It is an effective treatment for reducing acne, the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, acne scarring, uneven pigmentation or simply rejuvenating the skin. A light chemical peel can be performed easily during the lunch hour.  Medical grade chemical peels are also available upon completion of a consultation with a licensed professional. **To determine if a chemical peel is right for you, schedule your complimentary chemical peel consultation today.**

Exfoliation: The removal of dead skin cells manually (scrubbing, brushing, or using a system such as dermasound), with a chemical peel (a product that causes dead skin cells to shed) or with an enzymatic product that digests dead skin cells.

Extraction: This is the process of deep cleansing the pores, either manually (using gloved hands and cotton or tissue around the fingers, with gentle pressure to remove the impacted pore). This can also include the use of a lancet (a small sharp blade to lift the dead cells of the skin prior to extraction).
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Dermasound: The Dermasound Elite system is an ultrasonic clinical skin treatment system that uses low frequency sound waves to perform aesthetic services in a unique and highly effective way. This non-invasive device improves all skin conditions including: acne, rosacea, wrinkles, pigmentation, dehydrated and dry skin through cavitation, sonophoresis and microcurrent.

• Cavitation: Cavitation is a process that removes dead skin cells using a gentle micro-jet frequency with kinetic force that spins water across the surface of the skin without inflammation or trauma. This results in improved acne, pigmentation and aging skin. Skin is now exfoliated to enhance the benefits of topical products applied.
• Sonophoresis: Sonophoresis is a bio-molecular penetration of skin care nutrients. The Dermasound Elite frequency has been proven to enhance topical penetration.
• Microcurrent: Microcurrent can tone and tighten the skin by exercising the muscles resulting. in the reduction of fine lines and wrinkles.

Facial: A facial is the most popular treatment performed by estheticians. It is a good way for your therapist to get a good understanding of your skin prior to suggesting more aggressive treatments. A facial generally includes makeup removal and skin cleansing, exfoliation by mechanical, enzymatic or chemical means, steaming, extractions, facial massage, a treatment mask, serum/moisturizer and sunblock. For most people, facials can be scheduled every four weeks, although your therapist may recommend a different schedule based on your individual needs.
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Dermaplaning Facial Rejuvenation: Dermaplaning is a precise, elegant and highly effective superficial exfoliation and means of temporary hair removal.  Dermaplaning relies on the simplest of tools but requires artful skill to remove dead skin cells from the epidermis. A sterile blade is gently stroked along the skin to produce results including supple, smooth skin and the temporary removal of the fine vellus hair of the face. Dermaplaning can remove the buildup of rough, dead skin while removing vellus hair and can be performed every 3-4 weeks.  This treatment is a highly effective way to resurface the skin and promote the growth of new, healthy skin cells. As with any type of exfoliation, the removal of dead skin cells allows home care products to be more effective, reduces the appearance of fine lines, and assists in reducing milia, closed and open comedones, and minor breakouts associated with congested pores.
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Microdermabrasion: Microdermabrasion leaves your skin looking and feeling refreshed and radiant, after just one treatment, by exfoliating the skin and stimulating circulation.  The most dramatic results are achieved with a series of treatments, which in time help stimulate cell division, and collagen production.

Waxing: Waxing removes unwanted hair at the root. There are two different types of waxes: hard and soft. Soft wax is applied warm to the skin Cloth strips are then applied to the warm wax, and quickly pulled off. This method is best used on larger areas of the body such as the legs, back or chest. Hard wax is used without cloth strips. It is applied warm, allowed to dry and then removed quickly. Hard wax is less irritating to sensitive skin and is excellent for the bikini, underarm and facial areas.
 

What about home care?
Much of the success of maintaining a visible improvement after treatment depends on consistent, correct home care. Your esthetician is trained to select the products that will most benefit your skin, and to advise you on how to maintain your professional results between visits. Like medical or dental care, following the right daily regimen at home is essential if you are to get the most out of your visits to a professional.