HOW TO ACHIEVE GLOWING SKIN USING FACIALS AND OTHER SKIN TREATMENTS

We sat down with Nadya Mian to get her expert advice on how to achieve glowing radiant skin all brides want. Nadya started her career working in high-end beauty clinics in Harley street as an esthetician specialising in laser and skin treatments. She has over ten years' worth of experience in the skincare industry with a wealth of knowledge. She has worked with various skin types and conditions, understanding what works for most skin concerns. Nowadays Nadya runs her own clinic out of east London

Follow her on Instagram @goodskindaylondon

Initial consultation and pre-facial steps

Nadya would typically go through an initial skin consultation before any treatment takes place. Nadya would ask you for your history, such as skin type, current skincare routine, and any skin conditions you may have. She would discuss whether you have acne-prone skin, active acne, or other problems such as rosacea, eczema, or hyperpigmentation. Allergies are also discussed to ensure you do not react to any products. If new customers have facials in mind, Nadya can assess whether a particular facial is suitable based on your skin type.

Advice for brides who have never had facials before

She recommends thinking about a skincare regime and regular facials at least a year to your wedding date for maximum results; however, a few months is recommended if you don't have this kind of time. It is essential to give ample time for regular facials if you have particular skin concerns such as acne or hyperpigmentation, as it will take several sessions to see results. The initial treatment may give you an improvement, so it depends on your skincare concerns as to how soon you want to consider starting.

Makeup artists are now recommending brides to see an aesthetician or a beautician if they have particular skincare concerns. Regular facials would provide a more flawless and smooth base for them to work on and as a result, allow radiant pictures.

If you don't have enough time or only have a facial a few weeks leading up to the wedding day

Nadya does warn that some of the treatments she provides and typical treatments on the market can have some purging a couple of weeks after the facial, especially if your skin is more prone to acne. Most facials have an extraction step, so anything under the surface may appear, known as the purging phase. The term 'skin purging' refers to a reaction to an active ingredient that increases skin cell turnover rate. Any breakouts would disappear soon after, so nothing to worry about. If you are thinking of a facial close to your big day, it should be a week before or a good few weeks away, so the skin has settled.

However, if you are only looking for a simple glow and nothing targeted or exfoliating, then any esthetician can recommend simple, less abrasive treatments with no actives.

How often should you get treatments?

Typically she recommends every 5-6 weeks depending on what kind of facial you have opted for something with more active ingredients; extraction or peels would require more time for your skin to settle in between treatments. Consistent appointments allow for better upkeep and more effective results.

You might also want to consider the look you want on the day. If you tend to have good skin or a good skincare regime at home, which gives you the look you want to achieve, you can get away with fewer appointments.

Recommended facials for brides

Most aestheticians or beauticians have special packages for brides they would typically recommend a month or so before your big day; this might have extra steps for a more flawless finish. You can opt for a treatment that meets your skincare concerns before this.

Typically her bridal facials come with cleansing extraction Dermaplaning to remove peach fuzz and the top layers of dead skin. She also performs lymphatic massage on your face for better blood flow; this allows the skin to look plumper and less puffy, and LED lights to reduce hyperpigmentation and any marks. She applies a mask to calm the skin after all the active ingredients and finishes off with a serum. This treatment aims to smooth out the skin and allow makeup to be applied flawlessly. You might want to have a double cleanse as makeup would penetrate into the skin, so don't forget to remove makeup after your big day.

She recommends hydra facials as a treatment suitable for most skin types, which would help improve the quality of your skin over a few months.

Maintenance and aftercare

She recommends regular maintenance at home, such as face masks weekly. She also recommends using gentle products that are not too abrasive, such as non-fragranced cleansers and moisturisers. . Never use a physical exfoliant, as this can aggravate and scratch the skin. The skin should be allowed to rest for at least a few days if any treatments with heavy extraction or active ingredients such as Glycolic, Salicylic, and Lactic acids have been used. Any aggressive products such as retinol and exfoliating serums should also be avoided. Calming and hydrating products should be applied instead to avoid anything that would irritate the skin. It is always recommended to use an SPF daily to protect your skin from UV rays and photodamage.

Popular facials on the market

Hydra facials

A hydra facial is one of the most powerful, non-invasive skin resurfacing treatments. It combines cleansing, exfoliation, extraction, hydration and antioxidant protection that removes dead skin cells and impurities while simultaneously delivering moisturising serums into the skin. Hydra facials can be customisable, and many Aestheticians add LED lights, lymphatic massage, and custom masks according to your skincare needs. This facial is recommended for all skincare types.

Classic facial:

A classic or standard facial usually involves cleansing, exfoliating, extractions, a mask, and a moisturiser. This facial can be an excellent choice for anyone with normal skin. Extraction is the process of cleaning out clogged pores, which are safe for most skin types, but you will need to ensure the esthetician first uses steam to soften the pores. The extraction in a classic facial is more for blackheads and milder than other facials. However, anyone with rosacea or eczema should ask to skip the steaming, which can exacerbate those conditions, and use a warm cloth instead. The last step is a simple calming mask for a smooth hydrating finish.

Dermaplaning facial:

Dermaplaning is typically an additional step added to a classic or any other facial. During this step, a blade is used to remove peach fuzz and dead skin to have a smoother finish to the face. This facial allows products to better penetrate into the skin and deeper layers. Nadya mentions to be careful about what you apply afterwards; definitely nothing new that your skin is not used to. Dermaplaning is a type of treatment you would do pre-event for a more flawless makeup look and is what she does apply as part of her bridal facial.

Collage (Anti ageing):

An anti-ageing facial utilises active ingredients and procedures to attack the signs of ageing, which are present on mature skin – think ages 30 and up. Typically, these facials consist of cleansing, exfoliation or skin resurfacing, masks, deep-pore cleansing with extractions, and hydration elements. They typically also incorporate antioxidant-heavy serums and ingredients with collagen to help revitalise the skin. If the procedure has a skin peel added, give your skin time to heal after this one, as it can lead to flaking depending on the strength. Some anti-ageing treatments may also include a microdermabrasion treatment (exfoliation) so avoid any harsh products after. This type of treatment can be tailored to your specific concerns, so speak to your esthetician.

Microneedling :

Micro-needling is the insertion of very fine short, sterilised needles into the skin for rejuvenation. The needles make small non-permanent injuries to the skin; your body's reaction is to renew itself and produce more collagen. Over a few weeks, your skin should look more plump and youthful. This type of treatment typically starts with a cleanse and a hydrating mask and serums at the end of your treatment, as your skin will get very dry afterwards.

Other options include injectables and peels

Botox:

Botox is aimed at wrinkles and fine lines to weaken muscle movement, hence giving a softer look. A qualified dermatologist should do Botox and any fillers.

Profilho:

This type of treatment has started to become popular due to its results. Profilho is an injectable filler that boosts the skin with hydration and does not change the appearance of your skin like injectable fillers. Fillers and botox tend to change the shape and look of your face. This treatment gives your skin a boost of HA (hyaluronic acid); HA breaks away over time, and over time, we lose elasticity in our skin. HA allows our skin to look plumper, less saggy, and more smooth, so this treatment is great for giving a more youthful look. You can use Hyaluronic acid as a serum on the top layer of your skin at home; however, this type of treatment goes into the deeper layers.

Skin peels:

There are two types of peels: chemical and more natural peels made from fruits or marine products. A certified dermatologist typically administers chemical products, whereas a natural or organic peel is what an esthetician would use. Chemical peels have a more instant and aggressive approach. Natural peels simply refresh and take the top layer of your skin off, giving a nice glow and smoother finish. Nadya would recommend natural skin peels for acne or hyperpigmentation as they provide a nice result over a few sessions.

Let us know your thoughts below and if you have or want to try these facials.