Which Facial Is Right for You? A Plain Guide

If you are not sure which facial to book, book the Deluxe Facial. It is the full, classic routine and it suits almost every skin type. Choose one of the others when you have a specific reason: breakouts, fine lines and dryness, a heavy and congested feeling in your face, breakouts on your back, or not much time.

Spathetics offers six facials. Here is the short version, and then each one in more detail.

• First facial, or no particular concern: Deluxe Facial
• Breakouts and clogged pores: Acne Facial
• Fine lines, dryness, skin that looks tired: Anti-Aging Facial
• Short on time, or want to try one first: Express Facial
• Face feels heavy and stuffy: Sinus Facial
• Breakouts on the back and shoulders: Back Facial

Which facial should you get if you have never had one?

The Deluxe Facial. It is the one most clients book, and it includes every step people picture when they think of a facial: a deep cleanse with steam, an enzyme peel to lift dead skin, gentle extractions where they are needed, a massage of the face, neck and shoulders, and a mask chosen for your skin.

Because the mask and the extractions are adjusted to what your skin needs that day, it works for dry, oily and combination skin alike. It is also a good choice in September, when a summer of sunscreen, sweat and sun has left skin looking dull.

Which facial is best for acne and clogged pores?

The Acne Facial. It focuses on a thorough cleanse, exfoliation and extractions to clear what is already there, followed by products that calm the skin. It also includes high frequency, a mild, non-invasive electrical current used in esthetics on breakout-prone skin.

Book this one if breakouts are your main concern, whether you are a teenager or an adult. If you only get the occasional clogged pore, the Deluxe Facial handles that with its extractions.

One caution: deep, painful cystic acne is a medical condition. A facial can support your skin, but a dermatologist should be treating it.

Which facial is best for fine lines and dry skin?

The Anti-Aging Facial. It is built around hydrating, nourishing products and facial massage, with an anti-aging mask and a separate mask for the under-eye area.

It suits skin that is showing fine lines or a loss of firmness, and skin that feels dry and tight. It will not do what injections or surgery do, and it does not claim to. What it does is leave skin better hydrated, which is when fine lines look their softest. As furnaces come on later in the fall and the air dries out, this is the one many people with dry skin move to.

What if you only have a short window?

The Express Facial covers the essentials in a shorter appointment: a cleanse, gentle exfoliation, and a mask or treatment picked for your skin that day.

It is a good fit for a lunch break, a quick refresh before homecoming or a wedding, or a first try if a full facial feels like a lot. It is also the gentlest starting point for a teen. What you give up is the longer massage and the full sequence of the Deluxe.

What is the Sinus Facial for?

The Sinus Facial combines steam with gentle massage over the sinus pressure points, and finishes with soothing products. People book it when their face feels heavy and congested, which in central Illinois often means ragweed season in early fall or the first colds of the school year.

It is a skincare service and a calming appointment, not a medical treatment. It will not treat an infection or allergies, and if you are sick with a fever, it is better to reschedule and see your doctor.

Who is the Back Facial for?

The Back Facial gives your back the same care as your face: cleansing, exfoliation, extractions for clogged pores, a massage and a mask. The back has plenty of oil glands and is hard to reach, so breakouts there are common, especially after a summer of sweat or a fall sports season in pads.

It is also worth booking before an event with an open-back dress. As with any facial that includes extractions, about a week ahead is better than the day before.

What if you fit more than one?

Most people do. Pick the one that matches your biggest concern right now, and say what else is going on when you arrive. Skin also changes with the seasons, so the facial that suits you in a humid August may not be the one you want in January.

A few things to mention before any facial: prescription retinoids or acne medication, pregnancy, allergies, and any recent sunburn. If you are under a doctor’s care for a skin condition, check with them first.

You do not have to get this choice exactly right. Every facial at Spathetics is one-on-one with Ashley, a licensed esthetician in Effingham, and the service pages show the current price and length of each. When you have picked one, you can book it online.