Nowadays, everyone wants a facial, and you can get it, too. Facials are offered at barbershops, beauty parlors, salons, spas and fitness centers. But what exactly is a facial? Who needs it? How often should get one? and what are the pros and cons of getting one ?

There are 5 basic steps to a facial:

The face is washed and cleaned. A facial scrub and a light massage follow to promote good circulation and relaxation. Then the face is steamed, a procedure that is often said to "open the pores" but is really a simple way of hydrating the skin, making it supple and soft. The face is then vacuumed with light suction to rid it of dead skin, dirt and material superficially clogging the pores. Because of the inherent limitation of this technique, acne surgery is usually necessary to manually extract the comedones, accumulation of sebum and dead skin within the sebaceous gland. After this, the face is cleaned again. This is followed by a procedure called "laser", a misnomer because the device employs high frequency current - not light - that allegedly aids in the "closure of pores" and disinfects the skin. Finally, a toner is applied.

Additional steps such as mudpacks or treatment masks, application of medication or vitamins followed by iontophoresis (a procedure deemed helpful for better absorption of the applied medication or vitamin), skin peeling, oxygenation, aromatherapy and microdermabrasion, are available depending on where you get a facial. Facials are usually performed by aestheticians or cosmetologists, and usually takes 40 minutes.

Do we need it ?

Sure, get a facial but exercise caution if you are extremely sensitive or allergic because your skin could react to cleansers and toners. People with skin problems should consult a dermatologist before getting a facial. It may be more prudent to wait until your skin problem is treated properly.

Although people of all skin types may have a facial, people with combination-type (dry and oily) skin and all the more those with oily skin will benefit the most because they are predisposed to clogging of the pores. This can be seen by the presence of "open pores". Pores do not really have the ability to open and close at will because they do not have the mechanisms to do so, such as muscles and nerves.

What makes a pore open is the presence of a plug that mechanically stretches its wall, making the opening visible to the naked eye. To have flawless skin devoid of open pores you have to have plug-free pores. Therefore, those with combination skin and oily skin who have the propensity to form comedones need acne surgery the most. Comedones can either be blackheads or whiteheads, which are more deeply seated, have narrower openings and require expertise in removal to avoid bruising and excoriation (abrasion). This traumatic manipulation can lead to scarring. Inadequate removal of comedones may cause infection and lead to more inflammation; because of this we often hear stories of deep scars caused by acne surgery. In inexperienced hands, acne surgery can be harmful.

Blackheads on the other hand are more superficial with a wider opening that allows the process of oxidation to take place. This results in the blackening of the comedone. Removal of blackheads should be easier but because they are found predominantly on the nose, it can be painful. Correct equipment aand technique cannot be overemphasized.

Skin type determines how often you can get a facial. If you have oily skin and the tendency to clog up the pores at a faster rate, you need to get one more often than a person with dry skin. Depending on the degree of oiliness and how fast the pores get plugged, you may need a facial every week, month, or 2-3 times a year.

Fighting Acne

The main difference between a facial at a salon and that performed by a dermatologist is that the latter may not involve all the steps of a "regular facial." Instead, acne surgery and intralesional injections are done if necessary. These are things that an aesthetician cannot do. More importantly, a dermatologist will prescribe medications for acne, help control acne recurrence, and remove the blemishes that are left behind. If you have acne vulgaris, you should see a dermatologist first.

Treatment of acne should be a continuous process tailored for your needs. The ultimate goal is prevention. Self-medication only further delays early delivery of treatment and can lead to worsening of the skin condition. This increases the risk of developing permanent and disfiguring deep-seated scars that can be harder and more costly to treat.

At facial salons, you may be advised to use certain products after a facial. More often than not, there are part of a package composed mainly of sunscreen and whitening creams. The treatment of acne, however, depends on its type (comedonal, papulopustular or nodulocystic); your tolerance, sensitivity and responsiveness to treatment; presence of allergies and concomitant skin problems; and proper evaluation of aggravating factors such as incorrect use of cosmetics, hormonal imbalances, history of smoking, excessive alcohol intake, presence of stress, and intake of drugs known to cause acne.

Like comedones, milia, which are white cysts occurring in varying sizes and often mistaken as whiteheads, are problems best attended to by a dermatologist. Milia, unlike comedones, do not have openings and no amount of picking and squeezing will extract its contents. Expert treatment will help you avoid scars.

When facials are done correctly and safely, they can be important adjuncts to your skin care regimen because they help keep pores clean and keep breakouts at bay. But decide carefully. Many timers, skin care is best left to a dermatologist. Also, seeing a doctor may not be the more expensive option, contrary to popular belief. Many facial salons have to put up with high overhead charges and the cost of advertising that are passed on to consumers.

It pays to be smart, especially with your skin.

Chin Re-Shaping

Insertion of silicone implant from inside the mouth; using local anesthetic; no scars. Operation time 45 minutes; rest for 15 minutes

Laser Resurfacing of Face

The Erbium YAG laser removes wrinkles, pigmentation and improve the overall color and skin texture of the face. Laser resurfacing may cause skin to become raw, red or pink with mild to moderate discomfort for several days. Patients treated with Erbium laser feel only mild to moderate discomfort during treatment. Time off from work: 3 weeks