What are the benefits of a facial?
We know you’ve heard about them, perhaps you’ve been given a gift voucher for one, or wondered if it’s something you should be doing. We’re here to break it down, then you can decide for yourself if it’s something you could enjoy - which we just know you will!
‘Facial’ is a very general word and one that has been used to describe different treatments for generations.
Yes it does involve lying down, and here at Harmony you are actually under the blankets in our heated beds with your shoulders, neck and décolletage treated too - yes, your face actually finishes a little lower than your jawline!
Every facial everywhere will include a cleanse of some kind, and usually your therapist will have taken the time before they begin to decide which products are best suited to you before actually applying them.
Once a cleanse has been performed (and an exfoliation as well!), this is where the skin therapist steps in with their knowledge and experience to give you exactly what you need.
Let’s break it down…
Peels: Our most popular component in our facials at Harmony, the word ‘peel’ does not mean to literally peel the skin. Using a combination of enzymes and acids to word deeper into the skin, adding a peel into your facial takes your results to the next level.
Our favourite? The Power Peel
The serious treatment peel designed for those looking for skin correction and transformation.
Book at Queenstown or Alexandra or Gift this treatment
Massage: one of our favourite parts! Not only is it incredibly relaxing having your shoulders, neck, décolletage and face massaged, working the facial muscles helps you look fresh, calm and much less stressed. It’s also a great way to stimulate circulation - carrying oxygen to depleted skin cells and beautiful nutrients too! And when you are in the right hands, you just melt into the bed.
Our favourite? Radiance Renewal Facial
This rejuvenating treatment deeply replenishes and repairs. Formulated to suit your skin concerns, this indulgent facial will be personally customised by your therapist for both relaxation and instant skin renewal. Includes enzymatic exfoliation, concentrated masks and the ultimate in relaxation and massage.
Book at Queenstown or Alexandra or Gift this treatment
Masks: these can be cream, gel, clay or alginate, depending on the mask selection chosen for your skin. An important step to help infuse actives within the layers of the epidermis, masks are usually left on for anytime between 5-20 minutes. And at Harmony, we treat you to more massage while we let those ingredients do their thing!
Steaming: a step that used to be very common in facials, steaming is meant to soften or ‘deep clean’. Here at Harmony our therapists choose not to include this, as we believe it basically just makes you sweat without any huge benefits.
Hot Towels: not every clinic does this, but every single facial at Harmony includes hot towels applied by your therapist. They're prepared by soaking a fresh clean soft towel in aromatherapy oils, then stored in a heated cabinet. They're then unfolded on your skin, carefully wrapped around your face and pressed in - the warmth is soothing to the mind and a simply gorgeous part of your facial ritual.
Advanced Technology: when working towards skin goals, we will often bring in the big guns! These include, LED Light Therapy (completely pain free too!), Dermapen, SkinDNA or IPL Skin Rejuvenation - not all our facials include these technologies, but our ones that mix a spa-style with clinic-tech style are what we are best known for, and what makes the big difference.
Facials are different everywhere you go, but they will always conclude with a serum, eye cream, protective moisturiser and sunblock. If it’s night time and you are heading home to bed, then sunblock will be omitted and instead a night treatment applied.
That’s why evening facials are often the most popular, there is nothing better than going to bed with clean, fresh skin.
What makes a facial so great is not only the products used, but the cleanliness, ambience, soft music, facial bed at perfect temperature and a calm environment where you can escape for a while. Your Facialist needs to have beautiful hands with a confident, caring touch, and an extensive knowledge of how the skin works.
She also needs to have the ability to discuss your skin concerns with you and work alongside you to achieve your goals without making you feel bad about your skin, because who actually wants that?
Before booking your next facial somewhere we’d suggest asking what they include, and why - do they customise the rituals, or is everyone given the same? How long is the massage? (this part you truly cannot replicate yourself!)
And if you have a favourite step or favourite part, do tell them.
Experience the best facial!
If you would like to experience a Harmony facial for yourself, with therapists that have magic hands and an expert eye, come in and see us - the beds are heated and ready for you.
