By Shelby Jones, Public Relations Manager, ISPA

It can be hard to know which type of facial to get when there’s a menu’s worth of offerings at your favorite spa. It all depends on how your skin feels, how it reacts to certain ingredients and what you want to accomplish. Celebrities like Madonna love an oxygen facial while supermodels Gisele Bündchen and Kate Moss opt for a deep-cleanse. If you’re clueless, it’s best to book a consultation with an esthetician to help you figure out exactly what your skin needs.

Some facials include extractions, where blackheads and whiteheads are manually removed from the skin. There is some debate amongst estheticians whether extractions should be done or not. It’s best to talk to your therapist before you begin your treatment to determine if extractions are right for your skin.

Deep-Cleansing Facial

This facial involves the use of machines or manual techniques to open pores, extract blackheads by hand, purify skin, close pores and revitalize skin. You should consider this type of facial if you have acne, or during warmer weather when skin can become more oily and prone to flare-ups. Read: Man’s First Spa Day and Facial

Microdermabrasion

This treatment is used to improve the appearance of sun-damaged skin, treat hyperpigmentation and reduce or remove scars. It’s a popular cosmetic procedure where the face is sprayed with abrasive crystals to remove dead cells. In fact, of the medical services offered at spas, microdermabrasion is the most popular (ISPA 2010 U.S. Spa Industry Study). Microdermabrasion can help to reduce fine lines and age spots. It can be performed in less than an hour, so you can get back to your normal routine immediately following the treatment. Read: 4-step Microdermabrasion in NYC.

Photo-facial/Intense Pulse Light Therapy

Photo-facial or Intense Pulse Light (IPL) therapy ranks fifth among the medical services offered at spas in the U.S. (ISPA 2010 U.S. Spa Industry Study). It works to stimulate the deeper tissues of the skin with concentrated light. This is a great treatment if you have redness, light acne scars, rosacea, broken capillaries or hyperpigmentation. Best of all, it’s a quick treatment that can be done on a lunch break so you can return to work after it’s over. Watch: IPL treatment in Spa Merge’s Organic Plant Stem Cell Facial.

Oxygen Facial

An oxygen facial delivers pure oxygen at a high pressure and anti-aging serum through an airbrush to the face. This treatment stimulates the skin so new collagen growth can occur. It’s designed to plump and smooth the face immediately. It’s perfect if you have a big event to attend or if you’re planning to have your photograph taken. Read: An alternative type of oxygen facial at The Pod Spa.

If you want to learn more about different spa treatments visit ISPA’s spa glossary at experienceispa.com.

Shelby Jones is based in Lexington, KY at the ISPA headquarters, Spa Week’s exclusive trade partner. She has worked as ISPA’s Public Relations Manager for five years where she connects with top media outlets to promote ISPA members and the spa lifestyle. To get in touch with Shelby please visit experienceispa.com, email her or follow @ISPADoYou on Twitter. If you’re in the spa industry, we encourage you to become a member of ISPA; weekly e-mails with pointers like these are just one small part of the package to help you succeed!

Everyone wants to be taut. Skin smooth, soft and buoyant… free of blemishes, scarring and wrinkles… oh to be six again!  One of the nation’s leading medi spas, Blue Medi Spa in Sherman Oaks, CA, offers some of the most advanced, sought-after treatments to make over your skin and reverse those pesty signs of life well-lived. So, what are your options? Keep on reading for 10 of the best taut-ifying treatments available.

But first, enter Blue Medi Spa’s TAUT COUTURE Giveaway – one lucky winner will score $1000 in spa services to shape up and tighten where they need it most!

10 Treatments for Taut Skin

EXCLUSIVE SPA WEEK OFFER: ALL the treatments you’re about to read about are discounted at Blue Medi Spa through the end of August. Call 818.783.3600 for more information about which treatments might be right for you, and to book your appointments. Photos and descriptions courtesy of Blue Medi Spa.

Microdermabrasion

Microdermabrasion is a popular treatment offers deep exfoliation, lifting dull and dead cells, visibly revitialising your complexion and preparing your skin for more advanced treatments.

Vitalize Peel

Vitalize peel is clinically proven to help diminish discoloration, stimulate collagen, tighten skin texture, lessen fine lines and deliver a healthy, more youthful look with minimal downtime.

Botox

Botox relaxes the muscles that cause wrinkles, leaving skin smoother, tighter and wrinkle-free. With a few quick injections you can soften the appearance of crow’s feet, brow furrows and forehead lines in minutes.

Dysport

A new alternative to Botox, Dysport, has been all the rage in Europe for over 20 years, and two million smooth-faced Euros can’t be wrong. Dysport is Ideal for softening moderate to severe frown lines with super speedy results; most clients see a visible difference in just 24–48 hours.

IPL Photo Facials

IPL FotoFacial is a revolutionary method of photo rejuvenation that improves your skin’s texture, tone and appearance. A series of intense pulsed light stimulates collagen – minimizing sun damage, brown spots, acne scarring, age spots, discoloration, fine lines and even dark circles under the eyes. You’ll notice a more radiant, healthier complexion as imperfections fade away. Maximum results in a series.

Laser Genesis

Bothered by blemishes and prominent pores? Then get on your way to dreamy, creamy skin with Laser Genesis. A skin rejuvenating procedure, Laser Genesis treats large pores, uneven texture, acne scarring, excessive redness and rosacea conditions. You’ll experience a gentle warming of the skin as pores are minimized, imperfections diminished and redness reduced.

Zerona Fat Removal

Girthy girls, beefy boys and everyone in the “more-to-love” zone, the fat-slaying laser treatment featured on the Dr. Oz show is here. Zerona® is the first non-invasive body contouring procedure FDA-cleared to effectively remove excess fat without the negative side effects associated with surgical methods. An excellent fat reducing alternative to traditional liposuction, Zerona® uses proven cold laser technology to target and obliterate fat.

Titan Skin Tightening

The View, InStyle, Prevention Magazine and Harper’s Bazaar have hailed Titan as the ultimate beauty breakthrough. Completely non-invasive, Titan is a non-surgical skin tightening treatment that uses infrared light to heat the dermis, stimulating new collagen production and dramatically firming loose skin. Results are immediate and skin tightening continues as new collagen develops.

Radiesse

RADIESSE Volumizing Filler is an injectable filler that works by immediately restoring facial volume to smooth out the signs of aging. Once injected, it works with your body to stimulate the production of your own natural collagen for results that may last a year or more in many patients.

Perlane

Perlane is used to smooth moderate to severe facial folds and wrinkles such as the lines from the nose to the corners of the mouth (nasolabial folds). Perlanegenerally lasts for about 6 months. It has been found to be a safe dermal filler that restores volume and fullness to the skin.

Microdermabrasion isn’t just a scary name for a facial. It is, however, a great facial if your face is looking scary dry, broken out or otherwise less than perfect. Last week I visited Serenity Spa NY on the Upper East Side to preview one of their $50 Spa Week treatments: the 60 Min Microdermabrasion Facial.

Serenity’s microderm facial is no run-of-the-mill treatment. After getting a quick tour, I was introduced to my esthetician, Meggie. 2.2 seconds after she shook my hand she said, “I know your skin; you have dry skin.” She was spot on! Her expert eye provided for an amazing facial with great attention to detail.

I was also impressed at how many highly customized steps there were during my service. The facial included:

1. Microdermabrasion:

Meggie thoroughly de-flaked my skin using a top-of-the-line, diamond-microdermabrasion machine. It’s great for dry skin, hyperpigmentation, enlarged pores and acne scars (like mine).

2. Deep Clean:

A full deep cleansing facial with luxurious, swooping hand motions and a milky cleanser, an exfoliating scrub, alcohol-free toner and a hot towel mask.

3. Aloe Masque:

The cool, mint colored masque is applied over a muslin so the vitamins, minerals and soothing agents can gentle de-stress pores and still be easily removed by quickly peeling back the cloth.

4. Massage:

Meggie treated me to a stress-melting hand, arm, neck and scalp, and shoulder massage. The best massage I’ve had in years. Not kidding. Her hands are brilliant.

Every single part of this treatment was amazing, from the customized add-ons that just kept coming to the warm reception by Lisa, the owner and David the spa manager. I instantly felt welcomed and relaxed. I am without a doubt going back! For the rest of Spa Week, Serenity is also offering:

• 60 Min Full Body Swedish Massage
• 60 Min Microdermabrasion Facial
• 60 Min Silky Milk Spa Pedicure

Serenity spa is on Third Avenue between 79^th and 80^th, close to the subway and open until 10pm Monday–Saturday and 9pm Sunday. You have no excuse and there is still plenty of time to book your $50 treatments. The treatment is originally $120, so you automatically save $70! I love saving more than I spend.

Serenity Spa NY
1397 3rd Avenue
New York, NY 10075
212.734.9800

Disclosure

Thank you to How Stuff Works for this stupidly simple infographic on Microdermabrasion

The changing seasons can wreak havoc on that beautiful face of yours. One of the most popular medical facial treatments, which is also one that we get many questions about, is microdermabrasion. We’ve contacted the skin gurus over at Facelogic Essential Skincare in Ohio for the quick 101:

What’s micro? The treatment here uses a diamond-tipped machine combination to scrape away the outer skin layer, revealing the beauty that lies beneath.

Does it hurt? Not at all! During the treatment, there is just a slight tingling sensation that feels like your face is getting a gentle vacuum.

What happens next? Here at Facelogic, you will receive a cooling masque to calm the skin (think aloe.)

What are the results, and will I see them immediately? Your skin might look slightly flushed immediately following the procedure, but this is only temporary. You’ll be glowing in no time. (And, pssst, down the road it may save you a trip to the plastic surgeon.)

Want to see more? Check out our Microdermabrasion Video – we captured the whole thing on Live Spa TV at The Mezzanine Spa in NYC.

The clinical explanation: Microdermabrasion is a mini procedure that involves the skin being “sandblasted” by aluminum oxide crystals, baking soda, salt or corn cob granules to remove the stratum corneum (top) layer of the skin; dead skin cells. Microdermabrasion also promotes the production of new cells in the basal (deepest) layer of the dermis. Microdermabrasion may not give everyone the same results, but it is a nice treat and requires no down time. Microdermabrasion thoroughly cleans pores and hinders future breaks outs if used on a regular basis. Microdermabrasion also stimulates collagen networking to even out skin texture and appearance.
A series of microdermabrasion treatments can help reduce the look of fine lines and superficial wrinkles, remove thickened skin areas due to the impact of environmental factors and reduce the appearance of blemishes caused by sun damage. Additionally, microdermabrasion can reduce the appearance of open pores by unclogging sebum (oil) build-up and eliminate white and black heads.

For Spa Week, October 11 – 17 Facelogic in Ohio is taking appointments for the following treatments, $50 each: 60 Min Repair and Restore Microdermabrasion Elite Facial, 60 Min Eminence Organic Berry Refined Facial, 60 Min Skin Clarifying Back Facial.

Facelogic, Ohio

Facelogic
3130 Westgate Mall
Fairview Park, OH 44126
440.331.7546
http://facelogicspa.com/fairviewpark

Image Courtesy of About.com

How many of you actually paid attention in your high school science class? Did the periodic table resemble a warped game of hopscotch? Even if you weren’t a Bio-Chem teacher’s pet, one thing we all remember is that oxygen = good, and we need it to breathe and live. Apply that hypothesis to a facial, and it all makes sense. Beautiful skin not only requires a healthy level of hydration, but the skin benefits from being able to breathe better. Don’t be alarmed, but every now and then it’s healthy to take a break from your foundation, concealer and blush overload.

Melissa Benton, Lead Skin Care Therapist at Facelogic Spa – Encinitas, is a huge supporter of oxygen treatments. Whenever doing this or any facial, she keeps it personalized: ”First we start with a cleanse and a skin analysis, then we decide if you need extractions and which peel would be best for the client.” On the candidates and benefits of an oxygen facial, Melissa says, “The radiant oxygenating facial detoxifies, brightens, clarifies and evens skin tone by bringing oxygen into the skin. Anyone who has hyperpigmentation, fine lines and wrinkles and dull skin can benefit from the treatment. “

Spa Week on the West Coast is hopscotching away with oxygen-infused facial treatments (one of this Fall’s hottest spa trends), each for just $50 September 13-19. Sign up for Spa Week and call these spas to book now before they run out of air! Then you can breathe.

Spa: Facelogic Spa – Encinitas
$50 Treatment: 60 Min Peter Thomas Roth Oxygen Facial
208 North El Camino Real, Suite C
Encinitas, CA 92024
760.840.3223

Spa: Skin Care by Klara
$50 Treatment: 50 Min Microdermabrasion with Oxygen Infusion
16447 North Scottsdale Road, Suite 105
Scottsdale, AZ 85254
480.247.8240

Spa: Alexander Skin Care
$50 Treatment: Oxygen Infusion
9339 Genesee Avenue Plaza 40
San Diego, CA 92121
858.455.7558

Spa: Body by Melisa
$50 Treatment: 55 Min Skin Bella Deluxe, Oxygen Facial Treatment, Including Particle Free Microdermabrasion
4414 Piedmont Avenue, Suite 2
Oakland, CA 94611
510.655.BODY

Spa: Leaf and Water Holistic Skincare
$50 Treatment: 50 Min Diamond Microdermabrasion Facial with Oxygenating Facial Mask
701 North 36th Street, Suite 330
Seattle, WA 98103
206.694.9026

Image Courtesy of pvskin.com