So many treatments, so much confusion! Here’s how to choose the best treatments for your needs.
Navigating a beauty salon menu can be a bit of a chore with so many therapies and treatments to choose from. In fact some can be positively intimidating, especially if you’re not used to having beauty treatments.
So if you are a complete beauty treatment newbie, where is the best place to start? It’s best to do a little research. Firstly, it is good to find a skincare centre with therapists who are savvy at skin diagnosis. Determining the skin type and condition is critical to getting the correct skincare routine together.
The key to a great treatment is its suitability and a good spa or clinic will have well-trained staff who can help you navigate the maze of procedures and products. Each treatment is different and is usually designed to target a particular concern or to promote a particular feeling, such as a sense of relaxation or invigoration.
Face it
Generally, a salon will offer numerous types of facials. Some are self-explanatory, for example anti-ageing, while others are more vague and will most likely be based around the products in the salon’s chosen range. Again, a good therapist will be able to not only talk you through the options but also assess which treatment suits your needs. As Daley explains, establishing what skin type you have and your particular concerns are essential for an effective treatment. It is important to determine if your skin is oil dry (alipoid) or lacking water (dehydrated).
Actively oily skin, more common in teenagers and clients in their early twenties, is the most misunderstood skin type of all. Thorough, non-aggressive deep cleansing is important and good products such as the Sothys Oily Skin range work to mop up excessive oil as well as prevent excessive sebaceous gland activity.
Facials can be particularly beneficial on congested skin, a condition that can affect all skin types and which is generally caused by a build-up of lipids in the sebaceous glands that harden and clog pores and can eventually lead to acne. Extractions, the process of unblocking individual or groups of pores, can be particularly effective when carried out by a therapist. (There is a danger of scarring if you do it yourself). Dry skin can benefit greatly from regular intensive moisturising treatments, while dull and sun damaged skin can be improved with light peels.
It’s also important to establish the aim of a treatment. In many cases, product selection will have an effect on the result and whether you’re blissed out and incapable of speech or energised and invigorated afterwards. In this regard don’t underestimate the power of essential oils – they really can affect your mood!
The combination of a great therapist and a well chosen treatment will offer the very best result. A great facial treatment gives you a skin glow not only immediately on leaving the skincare centre but for days afterwards. This is the difference between a DIY and a professional strength institute-only treatment.
A deep knead
Massages are a hugely popular part of many salon menus, and again the choice can be a little bewildering. Here’s a quick guide to some of the more common forms of massage.
Swedish
The therapist uses a combination of long gliding strokes, circular movements and a kneading motion on superficial layers of muscle using a massage lotion or oil. It is usually very relaxing and a good first option if you haven’t had a massage before.
Aromatherapy
This form of massage is particularly beneficial for stress-related conditions. The therapeutic powers of essentials are used to calm or rejuvenate, offering numerous benefits for the client.
Hot stone
Smooth heated stones are placed on particular points on the body to warm and loosen tight muscles. The therapist can also hold stones and use them to apply gentle pressure, or massage the client with oiled, heated stones held in the palm of the hand. It’s good for treating muscle tension.
Deep tissue
As the name suggests this is more intensive form of massage, which targets the deeper layers of muscle and connective tissue. The therapist uses slower, deeper strokes to work on tight or painful muscles. It is also used to help with repetitive strain, postural problems or recovery from injury.
Shiatsu
Also known as acupressure, this therapy involves using
the fingers to apply firm pressure on the certain points on the body. Pressure is help on each point for two to eight seconds to improve the flow of energy, rebalance the body and encourage relaxation.
Reflexology
A very relaxing treatment, reflexology involves applying pressure to certain points on the foot (and sometimes hands and ears) that correspond to organs and systems in the body.
