5 Facials To Try This Fall
This month, I’m highlighting my favourite facials. Whether you’re looking for blissful relaxation or something that packs a more powerful punch, these are the facial treatments to try this fall.
Gua Sha Facial
Clean beauty and wellness are becoming the new normal, and facial Gua Sha is a trend that's here to stay. Gua Sha is a technique drawn from ancient Chinese medicine that is best described as a specialized stone massage for the face. In the hands of a skilled therapist, it can sculpt and lift, or de-puff, destress and detoxify the face in a single session. It’s been nicknamed the natural facelift, and in my practice, I consider it a gentle alternative to botox.
My Gua Sha Facial is designed to improve the skins texture, provide stimulating lift, reduce skin congestion and under-eye puffiness, and brighten the complexion. This 60 minute no down-time treatment will leave you fully refreshed.
PRP Skin Rejuvenation
This is one of the most popular, and sought after aesthetic treatments to help damaged, aging skin grow new collagen and elastin for beautiful, youthful results. The PRP facial uses your own blood to recharge and revitalize your skin, making this one of the most powerful, yet natural treatments on the market. Your blood is drawn by standard blood draw, then put into a centrifuge where it is spun to separate the red blood cells from the plasma. The plasma, rich in platelets and growth factors is then applied to the skin, which signals a healing and regenerative response in the tissue.
In my practice, I’m infusing PRP during microneedling sessions to address volume loss, crepey or sagging skin, dark spots, acne, fine lines, uneven texture, and it dramatically enhances the effects of my patient’s dermal filler and botox treatments. Results can be seen at about 3 weeks, with full integration at about 3 months, and only 2-3 days of mild redness & peeling post-treatment. PRP is the cherry on top of a solid skin care plan.
Acupuncture Facial
This is the perfect treatment for those who are looking for an alternative to the med spa. Sessions pair key acupuncture points on the body that support your natural capacity to heal the skin, with facial and scalp acupuncture to release patterns of tension, heal inflammation, smooth lines, plump and lift the skin.
Maggie Ho, RAC offers a lovely acupuncture facial here in Vancouver, BC. She is a certified Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncturist, and her facial techniques are also effective for difficult conditions such as facial paralysis and bells palsy.
Biologique P50 Facial
If you’re a patient of mine, then you’ll know how much I love the Biologique Recherche line. I’ve been using and recommending these products for years now because they are absolute skin game changers. There are a few spas and skin clinics in Vancouver that retail these products and offer the Biologique signature facials. Biologique facials are truly luxurious. They are completely bespoke, devised specifically in response to your personalized skin analysis.
Glow Dermal Therapy is my go to for this facial here in Vancouver. Their space is gorgeous, and the ladies know their skin. Non-invasive, no downtime, the perfect way to start a relaxing weekend.
Botox Facial
Perhaps my favourite facial of all is this relatively unknown but seriously jaw-dropping skin treatment. This innovative facial pairs microneedling (a treatment that stimulates collagen growth), with a micro-infusion of botulinum toxin into very shallow depths of the skin. Sorry breastfeeding mamas and mamas to be, this one isn’t for you! Unlike the regular use of botox, micro-infusion can be used all over the face, including forehead, nose, cheeks, mouth and under eyes without affecting muscle action.
What happens when you infuse botox into the skin? A photo-filter effect. The toxin temporarily shrinks pores, reduces oil production, firms, tightens, lifts and evens skin tone. With only 2-3 days of mild redness and peeling, maximal results are seen at about 2-3 weeks post-treatment. Smooth, glowing skin that doesn’t need an insta-filter? Yes please!
Remember, the results of any type of facial are cumulative. The more you invest into your skin, the healthier and happier it will be. If you want to maximize your results, you MUST take care of yourself. Hydrate, eat a balanced healthful diet, address stress levels, and any underlying health conditions, and don’t underestimate the importance of a good at-home skin care routine. If you want to learn more about what products to use at home, or what might be contributing to your skin issues, book a skin consultation with me!
In Health,
Dr. Alaina