What Kind of Facial Should I Get?
One of the most common things I hear is:n“Brandon, I have no idea what facial I need. I just know my skin needs help.”
Good. You don't need to know.
Seriously. You shouldn't have to diagnose your own skin, figure out which ingredients it needs, and study a treatment menu before you're allowed to book a facial.
That's my job.
Start with what your skin is doing, not the name of a facial.
When someone sits down with me, I'm much more interested in hearing things like:
“My skin feels dry no matter how much moisturizer I use.”
“My face just looks tired.”
“My skin isn't as smooth as it used to be.”
“Everything suddenly seems to irritate me.”
“My pores are driving me crazy.”
“I've noticed my skin changing as I've gotten older.”
Or even:
“I don't know what's wrong. It just doesn't look like me lately.”
That gives me somewhere to start, and then we look at your skin together.
If your skin feels dry or tight...
This is a big one here in Southern Arizona. Dry and dehydrated aren't always the same thing, and piling on a heavier moisturizer isn't necessarily the answer.
I want to know how your skin feels after cleansing, what you're using at home, how sensitive you are, what medications or health factors might affect your skin, how much sun exposure you're getting, and what I'm actually seeing when I look at your skin.
Then we can decide what it needs. Sometimes that's hydration. Sometimes it's barrier support. Other times we may need to exfoliate differently. Also, there is a chance that the product you think is helping is part of the problem.
If your skin looks dull or feels rough...
This is where people often assume they need the strongest exfoliation possible. Not necessarily.
Dermaplaning, enzymes, exfoliating treatments and chemical peels can all have a place, but stronger doesn't automatically mean better. The goal isn't to attack your skin until it glows. It's to figure out why it looks dull or feels rough and choose the right approach from there.
If your skin has become more sensitive...
Please don't assume you need to “toughen it up.” Redness, stinging, tightness or suddenly reacting to products you've used before can be your skin telling us something. This is one of those times when I may actually recommend doing less, not more.
Your skin barrier matters.
If you're noticing changes as you get older...
Skin changes.
That isn't bad. And it doesn't mean we need to wage war against every line on your face.
We may be looking at hydration, texture, elasticity, pigmentation, sun exposure, cell turnover or several things at once.
This is where personalization becomes especially important. I'm much more interested in helping your skin look healthy and like your skin than trying to make it look like somebody else's.
If you're dealing with congestion, breakouts or clogged pores...
This is another situation where I want the whole story.
Where are you breaking out? When did it start? What products are you using? Has anything changed? Are you picking at it? (You can tell me.)
Sometimes the treatment room is part of the answer. Sometimes your home routine matters even more. Usually, we need to look at both.
What if I just want a facial?
Also completely acceptable. You don't need to arrive with a skin crisis.
Maybe your skin feels pretty good and you'd like to keep it that way. You might just want some hydration, exfoliation and maintenance. Or, you could simply want an hour where somebody else takes care of you.
That's a perfectly good reason to get a facial.
So...what should I book?
If you already know exactly what you want, great. If you don't, don't let the treatment menu stop you from making an appointment.
Tell me what you're noticing about your skin and what you'd like to change. We'll take it from there.
I don't believe in putting every person through the same facial simply because that's what's on the menu. Your skin, your history, your goals and even the Arizona climate can influence what makes sense for you.
Sometimes I'll recommend more, and sometimes, I’ll recommend less. Of course there’s always a chance I’ll tell you that the thing you came in asking for isn't what I'd choose for your skin.
That's part of taking care of you, too.
I'm Brandon Cordova, a licensed esthetician and owner of The Spot Aesthetics in Green Valley, Arizona. If you're not sure where to start, you're exactly the kind of person I created The Spot for.
Come Find Your Spot ♡
Have a question about your skin or not sure what to book? That's okay. Tell Brandon what's going on, and we'll figure out what makes sense for you.
The Spot Aesthetics
1151 S. La Canada Dr, Suite 107
Green Valley, AZ 85614
(520) 565-5618
