Getting Your First Facial (A Guy's Guide)

Facials aren't just for women. Men have been flocking to spas for years to get gentleman's facials that are targeted for their specific skin type. If you're considering getting your first facial by a licensed esthetician or giving yourself a mini home facial, read on for what to expect.

What is a Facial?

A facial is comprised of several steps, designed to clear your skin and slough off dead cells. In a spa, facial care is generally preformed by an esthetician. An esthetician is not a medical doctor, but rather a licensed professional who specializes in skin care.

A facial not only feels relaxing but it cleans and exfoliates the skin. The most common steps in a basic facial for men include:

1. Skin analysis: The esthetician will assess what type of skin you have. Common skin types include combination, dry or oily skin. During this step, you should also voice any concerns about your skin and tell the esthetician about your facial care routine.
2. Cleansing: The esthetician will cleanse the skin with products that are chosen for your skin type. (For men, facial products are different than for women, so the facial will be tailored to your skin type and your gender).
3. Exfoliation: Steam and an exfoliation product may then be used to slough away dead skin cells and leave the skin looking radiant.
4. Possible extractions: You don't have to have extractions done. In fact, many people skip this process, as it can be painful. If you choose to have the process done, the esthetician will extract the blackheads from your skin.
5. Massage: The esthetician will use strokes to stimulate the face and neck.
6. Mask: The last step in the facial is the mask, which depending on your skin type, will either hydrate the skin or help rid it of any remaining bacteria.

What to Expect in a Facial for Men

If you're getting a facial at a spa, you can expect to be led into the esthetician's room where you'll be asked to lay in a lounge-type chair or on a massage table. The esthetician will meet you in the room to conduct a skin analysis and then will begin the facial process. After all the steps of the facial are done, the esthetician may recommend specific men's facial products for your skin type. At the end of the facial, you'll pay at the front desk and you can purchase any products you may want there. Facials range in price depending on the type of spa and location, but most start at $75 and can go up to a few hundred dollars.

Giving Yourself a Home Facial

If you don't want to spend the money to get a facial done at a spa, try an at home facial.

1. Cleansing: Cleanse your skin with a product for your specific skin type.
2. Exfoliation: Exfoliate with a purchased product or create your own with one of the recipes you can find online (popular combinations include honey and oatmeal or orange juice and cornmeal).
3. Skip the extractions: These are best left to a professional as you can scar the skin.
4. Mask: Follow with a purchased mask, or create your own with plain yogurt and honey mask. Let the mask sit on your skin for about 15 minutes and then wash with lukewarm water.

Resources

The US Bureau of Labor statistics Staff. (2009). Barbers, cosmetologists, and other personal appearance workers. Retrieved December 5, 2009, from the BLS Web site: http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos169.htm.