The right facial

Which one is right?

facial is not just a beauty treatment; it is a time for women to get away from their busy, multi-tasking lives and indulge in some ‘me’ time. These days men too are getting facials done, but we will discuss their options another time.

Let’s examine the right kind of facial for different skin types.

It is the era of specialization so with every aspect of our lifestyle having multiple choices, why should beauty treatments be any different? Think about the choices in moisturizers or shampoos and conditioners –you can easily spend half a day choosing the product that is right for you. So take your time in choosing the right treatment.

Firstly, if you have the patience for a full-fledged beauty treatment every month, then by all means go for it. But if you are short on time and have fewer options, go in for a facial. A facial, if done well, can be a destress mechanism and can make the skin glow.

Why have a facial?

No matter how much we do the cleansing-toning-moisturising routine, getting the same thing done by a professional with products that are sometimes more concentrated than the ones available off the shelf, can produce better results.

Besides, the girls at the salons are professionally trained and they know the right way to massage and tone the skin, and the muscles of the face, neck and shoulder relax with the brisk rub they get.

A facial improves skin tone, gets rid of dead skin, blackheads and whiteheads, leaving the skin feeling fresh and rejuvenated. It also improves blood circulation and the skin’s elasticity.

A few salons will include an acupressure-like treatment as part of the facial where they apply pressure to certain points on the face. This can help flush out toxins and detox the skin.

And it goes without saying that a facial can be an effective anti-ageing tool to keep lines and wrinkles at bay.

Now that we have established the importance of a regular facial, how does one know which one to go for? There are several facials on offer using all kinds of ingredients. Fruit, vegetables, aloe vera, gemstones, gold, AHAs, flowers – they are all part of facials on offer at various salons. The trick is to know which one works for you and stick with that. If you wish to experiment, I would suggest you go with products that are natural and hypoallergenic so you don’t break out into a rash or have unnecessary chemicals absorbed by your skin.

A classic or regular facial offered at most salons will include cleansing, toning and moisturizing, and a mask. The cleansing process includes exposing the skin to steam to open up the pores and remove blackheads. An ice pack is then used to close the pores.

The facial massage is done in clockwise or anti-clockwise directions and any product application extends to the neck area, as well as all over the face.

The mask is usually meant to provide the skin some extra nourishment or tighten the skin. Most salons will also extend the moisturising treatment to the back of the neck and the shoulders to relax the muscles.

Facial for dry skin

If you have dry skin, ensure that the facial you get uses creams and moisturizers that will nourish the skin with extra moisture. If you have a choice, go for a deep nourishment face pack for a mask. Some face packs that use clay or Fuller’s earth (multani mitti) can leave the skin feeling drier than before. Always, always, ask for moisturising ones.

The exfoliation process usually involves using a scrub of some sort but opt for a mild one or one that has a semi-liquid base so your skin doesn’t feel too dry. The serum that is used after the face pack is taken off should also be one that provides moisture to the deepest levels of your skin.

Facial for oily skin

Most salons will use generic products for all kinds of skin at the exfoliation and toning stages. But when it comes to moisturising, one has to be careful as oily skin does not need much massaging or moisture-rich creams. If massage is involved, make sure they use products suited to oily skin and keep the duration of the massage to a minimum.

Oily skins can opt for face masks that tighten the skin, shrink the pores and reduce excess oil on the skin’s surface. If you have pimples, get rid of them first with effective anti-acne treatments and then going in for a facial.

Facial for normal skin

People with this skin type are lucky as they need everything in the right proportions. They don’t need to have extra moisturising or extra anything, for that matter. The balanced pH levels of their skin means they need to maintain and protect their skin. What people with normal skin need to keep in mind is that their facial should exfoliate and nourish, more than anything else.

Facial for combination skin

This is a tricky one as people with combination skin have oily skin – usually on their foreheads and chin, and dry skin along the cheeks or vice versa. After cleansing, the dry parts of the skin need to be massaged with a moisturising cream and the oily parts need toning. Opt for a face mask that nourishes the skin, rather than one that provides moisture or tones the skin. The same goes for the serum that is applied after the face pack comes off. Opt for a safe, nourishment or anti-wrinkle serum to reduce any after effects of the facial.

Facts about facials

• You don’t really need a facial if you are under 25. While in your late 20s you can start having a facial done, but not even once every month. Once in three months is just fine.

• If you are over 30, it is advisable to have a facial done every month. If you don’t have the time, opt for a clean-up at the very least.

• A good facial should last for at least an hour. If your beautician finishes your facial in half an hour to 45 minutes, it is a rush job. It takes time for the face mask to dry and during the massage, the skin absorbs creams or lotions only for a certain amount of time. Most beauticians are aware of these facts and give a facial accordingly, and it usually adds up to an hour or so.

• The neck area too should be given the same treatments as the face, from exfoliation to serum stages.

• Some women opt for bleach treatments along with a facial in the hope that it will lighten their skin tone. A bleach is the worst chemical you can apply on your face. It usually leads to pigmentation when you step out in the sun after a treatment. Combining bleach with a facial exposes your newly exfoliated skin to a harsher dose of chemicals which can damage the skin instead of repairing it.

• If the beautician is pulling at your skin a bit too hard, feel free to insist she should be gentle because all that tugging and pulling during the massage is meant to be gentle. It should not stress the skin.

• If any product applied causes a burning or tingling sensation, let the beautician know immediately. It could be that you are allergic to some ingredient in the product.

• Avoid strong smelling or very fragrant products and let your beautician know that you would prefer mildly fragranced or fragrance-free products that are hypoallergenic.

So, if you have the time and are in the mood for some TLC, go get a facial. It is a great way to relax and have some quiet time.

BY THOMAS E KING

Encompassing the great cultural diversity, historic differences and scenic variety of Asia in a just a few words is not an easy task. Even for someone like me who has spent much of his life tiptoeing across mountain highs and waltzing along valley lows, it’s still a mind-daunting undertaking. After much deliberation I can only say that Asia is truly a place of infinite mystique where visitors can indulge all of their senses. Just as difficult as defining Asia, is illustrating my fascination for the continent. These few snippets with Indian links, however, may provide intriguing clues.

Pokhara Pictures

It’s early morning in the Pokhara Valley, 200 km west of Kathmandu. Even though the first rays of the sun are yet to leap over the hills, Hindu pilgrims are preparing for puja at the most sacred temple in the serene vale. Set on a wooded islet in the middle of a picture perfect lake, the Barahi Temple also provides an unobstructed vantage point for an incredible vista of water and mountain.

The mighty Himalayan Mountains span some 2560 km from northern Pakistan and India into China. The 8854-metre high Mt Everest can’t be seen from Pokhara but eight colossal peaks are often visible from selected locations in and around Nepal’s largest second largest city. Stretching from east to west, the 140 km long panorama of