The purpose of a basic facial is simple; it’s a multi-step skin treatment that involves cleansing, exfoliation, extraction and a mask. 
 
That my friends, is a basic facial and that’s what I thought I was going to receive from a licensed Esthetician.
 
I had some breakouts on my cheek, and I needed extractions, to help get rid of the impurities. 
 
This “facialist” was recommended to me as she is known to get every single blackhead and pimple out of your face.
 Unfortunately, what I received was some scaring and even more breakouts than I had in the first place. 
The sad thing is this all could have been prevented if I just went to my regular Esthetician who has extracted me many times, always leaving my skin better than she found it.
The “she will squeeze the hell out of your face” sounded so appealing though… 

 Can a facial ruin your face?

Absolutely it can. The primary cause is trusting your face onto untrained hands, but even licensed Estheticians can ruin your skin.
In Esthetics school I learned that being “licensed’ means that you paid thousands of dollars to get a certificate and you passed a test.
 I came across so many of these women that in all honesty did not deserve to graduate and be able to head out in the world with a license to ruin peoples face.
I loved everyone in my class, but the truth is the truth, and the fact is some of them should have chosen a different career ( some of them realized and did shortly after graduation) 

I want you to be clear that having a license does not make anyone an expert. 
 
What makes an Esthetician an expert is years of practice but most important is understanding moderation. 
 
Knowing what is ok to extract and when its best to leave alone is a true testament to a skilled Esthetician and always making sure that the skin is left better than it was when you found it. 

Another way your skin can get ruined by facials is by over treating it with harsh chemicals and peels. 
 
Beware of these Estheticians as well, and you want to make sure that the two of you are crystal clear on what your goals are and a smart and safe way of achieving them. 
 
Facials can be very expensive, and I understand that you want to get the most out of your money, but trust me that’s not the best approach to have when it comes to your face. 

DO NOT let anyone without a license touch your face… I know you are probably thinking “Steffany didn’t you just say the whole licensed thing didn’t matter?” 
 
Well it does, because that license will protect you. It is whats going to tell you that at the very least this person learned some basic sanitation. 
 
Having that knowledge will hopefully keep you from leaving there with an infection. 

My Dermatologist and I were speaking the other day, and he was telling me how he had a patient come to him for a “pimple” that never healed after a facial. 
 
It wasn’t a pimple at all; it was basal cell cancer. He also told me about patients with chemical burns that now have to spend thousands of dollars in laser treatment to correct the damage. 

My advice to all of you is simple, do your research and get multiple opinions.
 
If you are dealing with breakouts on a regular basis start by addressing your health and or see a dermatologist. They are not exempt from making mistakes when treating you, but the odds are less. 
 
Don’t let the price of something be what convinces you to do a treatment, find a great Esthetician that will care for your skin and help you achieve your skin goals safely. 

To Be Continued…