6 Reasons You Should Get a Facial Before the Spring Season in 2024
Now that we are approaching the spring season, this opens up opportunities for warmer weather, sunshine, blooming trees, outdoor activities, and saying goodbye to dry and flaky skin from the harsh winter months. To take in the new season and give your skin a new and fresh feeling, consider getting a facial before the spring season fully takes effect. Read on to learn about the history of facials, the symptoms of dry skin during the winter time, the reasons why the weather causes these conditions, and the extra ways you can protect your skin.
What is the history of facial treatments?
Facials first date back to Ancient Egypt. Obviously, they did not have all the tools and treatments that are available today, so they took advantage of the resources they had. For example, they used burnt almonds to fill in their brows or used milk to keep their skin from creasing. In the case of facials, it is said that Cleopatra used the mud from the Dead Sea to treat her skin twice a week to remove any impurities from her face and body. She would also apply egg whites onto her face before bed, sleep with it on, then would wash it off with clean water in the morning.
In ancient China, Yang Gui Fei, who was considered to be one of the “four beauties of Ancient China,” was known for her lavish facial treatments. Some believe that she would make her own facial masks which were made up of crushed pearls, white jade, ginseng, and mixed lotus root starch. Then, she would put them all into a thick paste and apply the mask to her face. This was said to remove spots and wrinkles and keep the face smooth and even.
In Europe, facials date back to the 1500s to the 1600s and were used among royals. However, not all of the ingredients used at the time were safe for the skin and in fact caused several illnesses; users were unaware as there was little science behind the procedures. For example, during the Elizabethan era, women used poisonous blends of white lead and vinegar, also known as ceruse, in their beauty routines, as was made famous by Queen Elizabeth herself. Centuries later, a trend began which focused on the pursuit of glowing and rejuvenating skin. In 1875, the Toilet Mask (also known as a face glove), invented by Madame Rowley, was created to keep people’s complexions smooth and fresh. Yet, this became unsuccessful as it suffocated the face and caused profuse sweating while people slept.
Many new products and routines came about in the 20th century. Due to a lack of science, as was the issue in previous centuries as well, not all routines were safe, such as the raw meat facials or radium-infused masks. One company known as Kemolite Radio-Active Beauty Plasma incorporated the chemical radium into their beauty products which was advertised as a volcanic clay mud treatment.
In the 30s, the trend was all about anti-freckles and getting rid of them. Women were so worried about getting them due to exposure from the sun that they wore a freckle-proof cape to prevent UV rays hitting their face and thus adding freckles onto their appearance. Italian physician Dr. M. Matarassoa invented a spot-removing treatment for those who had freckles; however, like in the previous decades, he used a dangerous substance, carbon monoxide, and combined it with a sharp needle to freeze off freckles. Fortunately, Swiss chemist Franz Greiter invented sunscreen in 1946 so Dr. Matarassoa’s process was no longer practiced.
A decade after the 30s, there were already well-established beauty empires such as Helena Rubinstein and Elizabeth Arden. Beauty salons were growing in popularity, many new products were created such as anti-aging treatments, and exciting developments including glamor bonnets promoted a youthful complexion. Electronically-heated face masks gave rosy cheeks, which were the latest trend of this era. Issues with sagging skin, acne and circulation were also addressed with skin-tightening wraps.
With the popularity of televisions in the 1950s, many more women began to care about their physical appearance as they all wanted to emulate the beauty of the Hollywood stars that appeared before them on their screens. As a result, there was an even larger boom of salons for treatments that are even available today, such as seaweed baths. Steam facials also became popular around this time as it helped users achieve a glowy and healthy look for their skin.
Skincare and facial routines blossomed, and by the 1990s, many more facial skincare products were released onto the markets. Not all products used among people were safe, but fortunately in the present day, consumers are very aware of which ingredients are good and bad for their skin. Treatments available now have come a long way since the early times of dangerous chemicals and toxic substances. Just as in the 50s, we still look to see what celebrities are doing, such as Kim Kardashian or Paris Hilton. One popular treatment includes the use of LED lights which penetrate the skin with the aim to reverse the signs of aging. Many young people use TikTok to see what the latest skincare trends are, but this can be harmful as not all of the information they consume is factual.
The symptoms of dry skin during the winter time and what causes them
During the winter time, there are many different symptoms that can appear and damage the skin barrier as a result of dryness. These include flaking, rough patches, cracks to the skin, redness, itching, stinging, and a raw feeling when touching the skin. The severity of these symptoms can vary depending on someone’s skin type.
Why do these occur during this weather? According to Medical News Today, the skin barrier, also known as the epidermis, is a thin outer surface that is made up of lipids and dead skin cells which protect the body from harmful toxins. When this layer gets damaged, the skin will appear dry or irritated. The skin can experience a ton of damage from the winter for a few reasons. The season brings changes in humidity and temperature which creates the right conditions for causing dry skin, known as xerosis. There is not a ton of moisture in the air as opposed to during the spring and summer seasons, and there are fewer lipids in the skin barrier. People also have their heat on inside, which lessens humidity and strips the skin of any moisture. The combination of cold weather factors, such as icy winds and rain, also reduces humidity and moisture on the skin. Plus, when we are home, we look forward to bathing or showering to warm up from the freezing day, but using hot water can also damage your skin’s surface, thus leading to dryness. Harsh soaps can also damage the skin. All of these factors and the extent to which your skin is affected vary by skin type as well as other medical conditions, age, gender, or ethnicity.
Why a facial is good for your skin heading into the spring season
Receiving a facial anytime of the year is generally a good idea. They are designed to treat acne, rejuvenate your skin, exfoliate, provide a deep cleanse, prevent aging, eliminate whiteheads and blackheads, reduce stress, smoothen skin, give your face a nice glow, improve circulation, even skin tone, make you feel more relaxed, hydrate your skin, and thoroughly cleanse your pores. Specifically during the winter season, as our skin gets more dry, getting a facial will provide hydration, seal in key vitamins and antioxidants, and restore moisture, thus brightening our complexion for the warmer season ahead. They will also increase the circulation in your face which will thus decrease fine lines and make you appear younger. As we are heading into the warm weather, it is a good idea to give yourself a refresh. Let us dive deeper into these benefits below.
Restore moisture and hydrate your skin - With the combination of the frigid, cold air outside and the hot temperatures of your heater indoors, your skin loses a ton of moisture, which can leave it dried, cracked and flaky. Drinking water helps, but a facial will be able to restore your skin cells to make it feel soothed and fresh once again. A facial works because your esthetician uses moisturizers and serums that are designed to help your skin and meet its needs, whether it is dry or oily.
Give your skin a fresh reset - Scratching itchy and red skin, popping pimples, and breaking out can all cause damage to your skin and risk permanent scars or discoloration to the area. Our skin is especially sensitive during the winter time, so it is important to give it the proper care it needs to stay healthy. You should get a facial that will unclog and open your pores; by doing so, this can remove acne, blackheads, and any other impurities to your skin that will not cause any further harm to it. As a result, your face will feel fresher, healthier, rejuvenated, and younger.
Provide you with the vitamins and antioxidants your skin needs - Another benefit of receiving facial treatments is they seal in important vitamins and antioxidants to keep your skin protected from the harsh cold weather. They can also help reverse damage to our skin from the sun’s exposure as well as pollution. Plus, many antioxidants can help to reduce inflammation, stimulate growth of new skin cells, and improve cell circulation.
Brighten your complexion with an exfoliation treatment - During the winter time, your skin begins to collect a layer of dead skin cells, which in turn makes your skin appear dull. The reason that there are so many dead skin cells is because our skin cells typically turn over more slowly due to the change in cold temperatures. With this being said, you should opt for a facial that includes an exfoliation treatment during your spa visit in order to brighten your complexion and help even out any discoloration or pigmentation in your face.
Find the time to unwind, escape reality, and relax - Just because the winter time is associated with the holidays, getting cozy and staying indoors does not mean we are any less busy. Whether it is work, school, parenting or other daily responsibilities, we need a moment to unwind and take time for ourselves to rest and relax. Treating yourself to a facial would be a great way to do so, as it can give you something to look forward to and cheer you up when the weather gets dark, icy and chilly. Taking time for yourself is very important, as it makes you feel rejuvenated and will give you a much-needed reset for your tasks moving forward. You will also feel more confident and excited to take on the day.
Use sunscreen - As mentioned above, using sunscreen in the winter is just as important as using it during the summer time. Regardless of the temperature outside, whether it is hot or cold, the sun is still out and can cause damage to your skin. While the sun is not typically as bright during the colder months, it can still result in the development of melanomas and wrinkles in the skin over time. To assist with reversing some of the sun damage you may have been exposed to, receiving facials during the winter is very helpful. Also be sure to wear sunscreen everyday, especially as the sun will be stronger during the spring season.
Conclusion
As we head into the warmer weather, you should say so long to dry and flaky skin and opt to receive a relaxing and rejuvenating facial. New weather also means a new you, so why not start the season feeling your best? ZZ Day Spa offers many different facials that you can choose from which can restore moisture and hydrate your skin, give your skin a fresh reset, provide you with the vitamins and antioxidants your skin needs, and brighten your complexion with an exfoliation treatment. Book a facial today!
