Types of face packs

YOUR FACE is the most important part of your personality. It provides a great deal of information about you, your health, your age and your state of mind. The skin on your face is the most valuable asset. When you are young, you do not need to take much care of your skin. The problem of pimples begins at teenage. And as you grow older, your skin starts looking pale and lifeless. No matter how much make up you apply, it's difficult to get back that natural glow. So, it's essential to take extra care of your face as you grow old. Facial is one of the most common ways of refreshing your skin. It is a deep skin treatment and helps to counteract the ravages of age, pollution and UV rays. A lot of skin problems such as blemishes, acne, dry skin and wrinkles can be prevented and reduced with regular facials. If appropriate technique and products are used, this treatment can be effective to make the skin smooth and shining.

There are different types of facials offered by salons. The kind of facial you should go in for depends on your skin type, lifestyle and general health. When you get the facial done for the first time, go to a qualified beautician, who can assess your skin type and recommend an appropriate facial. Also make sure that you get your facial done by a professionally qualified and experienced beautician in hygienic surroundings. Otherwise, there are chances of getting skin infections.

A basic or normal facial includes thorough cleaning, massage with a nourishing cream, removal of blackheads and use of a facemask (depending on your skin type/specific problems).

Types of facials
Apart from basic facials, some of the popular facials done at most beauty salons are:

*Acne facial
It is meant for treatment of acne. Specific creams and masks are used to dry the pimples, clean blackheads and lighten acne scars. Sometimes a beautician may use high frequency current to dry the pimples.

*Facial for lightening the skin colour.
Herbal vegetable peels or cosmetic products with a galvanic machine are used to achieve a lighter skin tone.

*Bio lift facial
A special bio-mask is used for a face-lift. This facial is usually recommended for people in the forty-plus age group.

*Fruit facials
Fruit pulp like papaya or fruit and vegetable juices are used as they contain beta-carotene and antioxidants. The benefits of a fruit facial are achieved only in conjunction with a galvanising machine.
A word of caution: make sure you do a patch test with the fruit or fruit juices to check if you are allergic to that particular fruit/juice; otherwise you may end up with rashes and burns.

*Alpha hydroxyl facials
Products with high potency of AHAs are used to treat pigmentation, dull skin and wrinkles.

*Aroma facials
Essential aroma oils are mixed with cannien oil and used for massage. Different oils have different properties. Therefore, the kind of oil used depends on individual needs. For instance, eucalyptus oil improves skin elasticity and Patchouli oil rejuvenates the skin, helps in treating cracked skin and wrinkles.

Exotic facials

*Gold facial
This is a clinical treatment and uses special methods of massage. The treatment encourages lymphatic drainage and removal of wastes and toxins. The main ingredients are gold cream and gold gel. These contain 24 carat gold, aloe vera, wheat germ oil and sandalwood. The gold facial helps to improve blood circulation, skin elasticity, rejuvenates the skin and helps in delaying the formation of lines and wrinkles.

*Pearl facial
The precious pearl and whitening rehydrated moisturising cream is used along with sea oil and a sea scrub. Research has revealed that pearls contain a combination of natural substances that help to improve rejuvenation of the skin cells. This treatment is ideal for pigmented skin, provides hydration to the skin and makes the skin firm, supple, smooth and young.

The question asked often is when should one start having a facial and how often.
Have it done once a month after the age of 30.