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Facial treatments are all the rage, with many making their pilgrimage to beauty boutiques ever so often in their quest for fabulous-looking skin.

While these treatments are quick to zap away skin imperfections, are they really worth it? Are facials really good or bad for your skin?

The answer is more complicated than just a simple ‘yes’ or ‘no’ and we weigh in on the pros and cons of common facial treatments to help you make the right decision with your eyes open.

Facial Treatments for Acne

Extraction

This is a most conventional and basic facial treatment, where the beautician cleanses, exfoliates and then proceeds to extract blackheads, whiteheads and clear out your pores with a tissue and metal extractor.

Pros

• Getting your pimples extracted professionally is always better than trying to pick at it with your fingers.
• May help to remove difficult pimples.
• Acne scars are minimised.
• Helps to improve the appearance of the skin here and now.

Cons

• Redness and swelling after treatment.
• Process is usually painful.
• No guarantee that the pimples will not make their comeback.

Cortisone Shots

This refers to injecting a diluted steroid shot into huge pimples (eg. cystic acne) for immediate relief. It is often used as an emergency treatment. You might notice a dramatic reduction in the size of the treated acne a few hours after treatment.

Pros

• Fast, almost immediate results.

Cons

• These need to be administered with utmost care as overdosage can cause pitted scars and depression on the skin area, some taking months to recover and some unfortunately permanent.
• No guarantee that the affected area stays clear.

Facial Treatments for Brightening

Chemical Peels

Acid is brushed on the skin to dissolve and exfoliate the outer layer of dead skin cells and uncover brighter, more even skin.

Pros

• Helps even skin tone, lighten scars and pigmentation.
• Helps reduce fine lines.

Cons

• Side effects may include redness, inflammation and skin sensitivity. Sun protection must be done diligently.
• Effects are not immediate, can be seen after 2-3 weeks.
• Might have a downtime depending on the level of intensity of the peel used.
• Usually require multiple treatments.

Microdermabrasion

Fine crystal particles are sprayed onto the skin to dislodge dead skin cells and exfoliate the skin.

Pros

• Acts like a physical exfoliant and helps improve skin texture, skin tone and anti-ageing benefits.
• Little to no downtime.

Cons

• Might be too harsh for sensitive skin or those with severe acne.

Anti-Ageing Facial Treatments

Microneedling

Tiny fine needles are used to prick the skin surface to create small invisible wounds so as to boost the skin’s collagen production to quicken the wound recovery process. It is a collagen-stimulating treatment used for skin rejuvenation.

Pros

• Little downtime as only slight redness might be experienced.
• A largely painless process.
• Useful to quicken the reduction of acne scars, wrinkles and loose skin.

Cons

• Some skin irritation might be experienced.
• Risk of complications if sanitation of facial equipment is not done properly.
• Not suitable for sensitive skin or those with severe acne.

Our thoughts…

1. Facial treatments should be accompanied with regular skin care routines.

While facials can provide a quick and instant boost to your skin appearance, estheticians will tell you that these treatments cannot replace the benefits of a consistent skincare routine. Aftercare is as important as the facial treatment itself.

Cleansing, moisturizing and sun protection are the foundational building blocks to clear, healthy skin.

If you have prolonged skin problems, work on getting your skin routine right with ingredients and regimes that suit your skin type. Consult our skin consultants for a customized routine.

Use facials as a booster rather than a one trip fix all solution.

2. Always do your research before going for a facial.

It is important to know how each treatment works and what are their possible side effects and downtime. Consider the degree of pain and downtime you are willing to undergo. This is especially crucial if you have an important event coming up.

Some treatments can cause skin sensitivity if overused and result in more damage, so always research, research and research.

3. There are other cost-effective methods you can consider

The biggest draw of facial treatments are the immediate visible effects that can be really satisfying. However, these effects may not always be lasting.

For those who do not see themselves shelling out to sustain expensive facial routines, consider using skincare products that deliver similar effects. Instead of a chemical peel, try Miraglo, a physical exfoliating cloth that gently sloughs away dead skin cells, with no recovery time needed.

While skincare products may not produce overnight visible results, applying them daily coupled with weekly exfoliation can help you achieve your skin goals over time.

While facials do have their place in administering quick fixes and bolstering confidence in a matter of hours or days, it is better to develop consistent skincare habits to maintain and sustain your youthful appearance in the long run.

With the clever use of both, you could be basking in natural skin glow for years to come!