It’s not all about age! Pollution, lack of sleep, dry heat and stress all take a toll on your face.The best way to counteract these effects is to go to a spa for a facial.

Long gone are the days when going to a facial was considered an extravagance. But spa facials still follow some basic steps — cleansing, analysis, exfoliating, massaging and hydrating — and should be performed by a licensed esthetician who has been professionally trained to analyze and treat skin.

The Basics

• Cleansing – a thorough cleansing of your face followed by steaming. This will open up the pores and prepare your skin for exfoliation.

• Analysis – with the help of a magnifying mirror, the esthetician will examine your skin to look for dry or oily patches or for blackheads.

• Exfoliation – a process that removes dead skin cells from the top layer of your skin. The esthetician may use a gentle abrasive to help loosen these cells. Blackheads will also be removed.

• Massaging – this relaxing procedure also helps to improve circulation. This may be followed by a soothing mask.

• Hydrating – using a moisturizer for your skin type (normal, dry or oily) the esthetician will apply it to your face and neck. A cream specifically for eyes will be applied to the sensitive area under your eyes.

The standard spa facial is referred to as the European facial. However, spas have developed a range of facials to address specific areas of concern, such as a facial for sensitive or acne-prone skin. 

Treat yourself to a pampering facial. Let Exchange Place match you with day spas in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut.