When you go to a traditional spa, you’ll usually get a facial that’s perfect for pampering or treating yourself. These indulging facials give you comfort and calmness, but not necessarily long-term results. Long-term results require skin treatments. There’s a pretty big difference between a facial and a skin treatment. While skin treatments are usually not as relaxing and pampering as a facial, these beauty treatments are better equipped to deal with your skin’s issues, especially those that require a clinical approach to attain your beauty goals.

So, why get a skin treatment instead of a facial?

Skin treatments yield better and more long-term results than facials for a ton of reasons. But first, let’s talk about what a skin treatment even is. A skin treatment can range from many different kinds of cosmetic procedures, such as laser treatments, microneedling or microdermabrasion, peels, and much more. These treatments often are more invasive than a facial as well, penetrating deep into the skin and working toward a specific skin problem, which is different from the purpose of the facial, which is to relax, refresh the skin, and pamper.

With that being said, while most traditional facials will use soothing and supple ingredients that smell flowery and quaint, skin treatments use prescription-strength ingredients with high-tech equipment to tackle your skin’s needs. With a skin treatment, your face gets the all-star treatment: It gets an inside out cleansing that a facial just can’t match up to. Facials usually just clean and get rid of the yuck on your face, while skin treatments will work on your skin from its interior to its external surface.

Here’s an example: Aerolase. Aerolase is a laser skin treatment meant for nearly all skin types, restoring your face to its youth by removing wrinkles, hair, acne, and much more. Through laser technology, it is able to dig deep into the skin to combat the problem where its starts, yielding long-term, lasting results that people will notice far more than if you had just gotten a facial. This skin treatment is perfect for people who have just about any skin issue, making it a very versatile and safe option for someone who is new to the realm of skin treatments.

Now, these skin treatments are more than skin deep… Literally! A facial may be able to penetrate deep into your skin, it cannot reach the cellular level that skin treatments do, as skin treatments work with the entire cycle of skin regeneration. Take microneeding for instance. This skin treatment involves puncturing the skin with tiny needles, allowing collagen to be stimulated and improve your complexion. Traditional facials often do not offer that level of penetration, and as a result, do not give you those long-term healthy skin results that you’ve been craving.

In addition to that, most facials will not be able to provide your face with that fullness or plumpness you want to attain, even if your skin feels pretty great the day you get the facial. In order to achieve these kinds of results, you’ll want to opt for fillers, which can help enhance your lips, smooth your skin, and make your cheeks or other part of your face appear fuller. They also often last for several months, while facials only last a few days. Again, while a facial is a perfect pick-me-up treat or a good way to bond during a girl’s night out, skin treatments are what you’ll need to gain that lasting satisfaction of having youthful and healthy skin.

Of course, not all skin treatments are these high-tech, complex procedures. Some treatments, like microdermabrasion, are still extremely effective, while using a minimally abrasive tool to sand the skin and remove its outer layer. Rejuvenating the skin, this skin treatment will yield much better results than many facials, but is less aggressive than some other skin treatments.

Don’t get us wrong; facials are still fabulous. Facials can revamp your skin by moisturizing it to the maximum your skin can be, as well as by getting rid of zits or other blemishes. Topical treatments like facials will not likely give you a lasting benefit, especially if they are used sporadically. While we would *love* to be able to get a facial every single day, this beauty treat is just not the best solution for maintaining healthy, youthful skin.

Bottom line: A facial is great for relaxing and treating yourself. They give you that same-day glow that is perfect for a once-in-a-while indulgence into improving your complexion. However, if you want long-lasting results, you’ve got to take the plunge into skin treatments. The start of the year is the perfect time to do it. Give us a call now at 757-321-1914 so we can chat with you about your skin’s needs, book an appointment, and get you started on the path to youthful and healthy skin.