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Facials for good complexions in later life

by Emma Jane North

What a facial can do for your complexion 

Emma Jane North, Ragdale Hall’s beauty therapist, explains how to choose the best kind of facial for your skin type  

 

Every facial routine is different, but the basics are the same -

1. Cleansing - using products that will be removed from the skin, sometimes incorporates brushes or mitts

2. Gentle Exfoliation - to remove dead skin cells from the surface of the skin improving texture and allowing the products that follow to penetrate into new fresh skin cells.

Ragdale.jpg (8775 bytes)Ragdale Hall Health Hydro - 'Health Spa of the Year'  1999, 2000 and 2001.
Special offer to laterlife visitors

 

3. Massage - this will take many forms, but will generally improve circulation, help to flush toxins and bring nutrients to the cells. (Facials usually cover the face from forehead to chin and neck and down around the shoulders).

4. Skin Improvement Work - usually in the form of a mask, cream or setting gel, this is the part of the facial that introduces products to change or affect the skin, i.e. rehydrate a dry skin, plump out fine lines, etc. More sophisticated facials may use creams in conjunction with an impregnated cloth type mask to maximise the benefits.

5. Finally, application of moisturiser - to protect and leave a flawless finish.  

Think about your requirements before you choose your facial, and ask yourself these questions before you share your answers with the beauty therapist:  

  • What does my skin look like now?  

  • What does my skin feel like now?  

  • What most concerns me, ie fine lines, dry areas, colour, texture, spots, oiliness, etc.  

  • Is stress a factor in my life?  

  • What skin care regime do I use?  

  • How do I want to feel after my facial?  

  • Will a facial be a one off or a regular treat?  

Now you can start talking and choosing.

Facials, A Rough Guide…

Deep Cleansing, Deep Exfoliating  

These facials will usually incorporate one of  two treatments:  

  • A machine that works with micro currents of electricity to push the product deeper into the skin. This give a more dramatic effect in one treatment. Example: Guinot’s treatment range, Hydradermie formally known as Cathiodermie,  

  • AHA creams and lotions which are natural or produced by acids that gently exfoliate the skin to deeper levels. Example: Alpha + facial which incorporates the effective AHA’s.

Deep Cleansing/Deep Exfoliating Facials are not suitable for -  

  • hypersensitive or allergic skins

  • if you are taking medication  

  • if you have a history of eczema and psoriasis  

  • fragile or thinning skin

  • acne or similar skin conditions  

They work best for -  

  • signs of premature ageing  

  • previously oily skins that appear thicker in texture

  • treatment of blocked pores - deep cleansing  

  • sallow complexion  

  • very dehydrated skin  

  • correction of skin type, i.e. oily, dry, sensitive

Cost of treatments from £40 - £60, take about 1 hour  

Facial Toning and Improvement of Muscle Tone

Often called non-surgical facelifts, many beauty salons offer these treatments, the most well known type being Caci. They work by stimulating the muscles of the face and aim to tone the muscle structure and the skin in one session. As with any facial, maintenance is required and your salon will recommend appropriate anti-ageing creams and follow-up treatments.  

Recommended follow-up

 A course of 6 - 8 treatments, depending on skin condition, either weekly for course and then monthly thereafter, or monthly as maintenance only.  

How long does the effect last?

These facials will help reduce heavy lined areas i.e. nasal folds and foreheads and lines around eyes and mouth. They give a generally lifted effect to the face and neck area.

If the muscle structure of the face has been lifted and a visual difference is made, the effect should last. However, with no follow-up treatment, homecare or exercise, the muscle structure will drop naturally after 7 - 10 days or possibly longer depending on skin condition.

Cost of treatments £50-£70, treatment time varies but allow 1-1 1/2 hours  

  ****PRESS HERE TO SEE THE PREVIOUS RAGDALE HALL ARTICLE ON FACIAL EXERCISES****  

Facial/whole body massage

Most anti ageing treatments will utilise ingredients that stimulate or mimic the collagen and elastin in our skins. They aim to plump out fine lines and improve circulation and drainage, so giving the skin the nutrients and boost it needs. A facial and body massage enhances this effect and can bring peace to the mind and relaxation to the whole body. Most facials will incorporate a scalp and shoulder massage.  

With this more holistic approach to the face and body, it’s a case of prevention better than cure, to help protect against pollution, effects of ageing, etc.

Creams and lotions applied during these facials enhance the soothing and smoothing effect.

Good examples of this holistic approach are:

Kanebo’s Kai Zen – This product range is combined with a Shiatsu based peace massage which relaxes and then re-energises your whole body.  

Decleor’s Vital Evidence – Harnesses aromatherapy oil, herbs and plants, and includes the use of a back diagnostic ‘digitopressure’ massage, as well as an anti ageing firming mask and lymphatic drainage massage to the face. This is a whole body treatment.  

Elemis Japanese Silk Booster Facial - The silk mask enhances a hands on experience and the results are a toned and refreshed skin which looks visibly younger plus a peaceful mind and body.  

Clarins Vitality or Serenity Facial- Light therapy bathes the room in orange/red or green/blue light. Products and a massage with a special formulation and effect add to this very peaceful experience.  

Homecare

After investing in any kind of facial, make sure you gain advice on a home care routine, to enhance and maintain the effects.

A basic routine would be -

         Cleanse and tone day and night  

         Moisturise day and night

         Scrub and Mask once or twice a week 

 

If you have any concerns regarding your current health status please see your GP prior to embarking on an exercise regime.
 

Why not visit Ragdale Hall?

Ragdale are making an amazing special offer to laterlife visitors, take a look at our Ragdale Hall page.

 
  

To view previous articles in this series - see the laterlife interest index page

 


 

laterlife interest

The above article is part of the features section of laterlife.com called laterlife interest. laterlife interest contains a variety of articles of interest for visitors to laterlife.com written by a number of experienced and new journalists.

It includes both one off articles and also regular columns of a more specialist nature such as healthwise, reports from the REACH files, mother and daughter and a beauty section called looking good in later life.

Also don't forget to take a look at our regular IT question and answer section called YoucandoIT by IT trainer and author Jackie Sherman.

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