A good esthetician will want to set you up with the right at-home routine, so don't be surprised when she recommends products. Snyder points out that estheticians do a lot of research on the product lines they use, and you might as well use that knowledge to your advantage. But at no point should you feel pressure to buy, Snyder says. "I don't pressure anyone to buy anything, the decision is completely theirs! But a good at-home [skin care] program is crucial in caring for your skin."
Another red flag: If your esthetician recommends enough products to cleanse an army. "Less is more," Snyder says. "Many of my clients are surprised to learn how easy it is to get on a good at-home program that doesn't break the bank." She points out that so many skin care products are very similar, so (with your facialist's help) you should be able to put together a simple regimen that's within your budget.
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We love popping pimples, but we aren't taught how to do it
"I can't speak on behalf of all estheticians, but I personally enjoy 'popping pimples,' or what we professionally call extractions," Snyder says. However, Snyder points out that extractions aren't taught in detail at most schools -- which means some estheticians aren't well trained in the skill. She says it's up to individual estheticians to get additional training on this -- particularly if they're just starting out -- so it's worth asking your facialist if she's well trained before she starts popping.
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Never trust a zitty esthetician
You know the saying "never trust a skinny chef"? Well, the same goes for estheticians. "If it is evident that the esthetician herself has exceptionally bad skin, it speaks to how she takes care of herself -- so how can she take good care of you?" Snyder says.
To be fair though, Snyder says you can let the occasional zit on your esthetician slide. "I personally struggled with late on-set acne in my 20s, so my skin is not always blemish-free!" But there is a plus side to an esthetician who faces the same skin issues you do: "Dealing with [acne] has helped me to help others deal with their acne/oily skin, as I have a lot of first-hand experience."
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We know if you've been picking
If you've been going to town on that zit with your dirty fingernails (in your car), your esthetician will notice the disgusting results -- even if she doesn't give you a guilt trip. "Usually it is evident by scabbing or infected sores [my clients] have created," Snyder says.
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You don't actually need that peel or microdermabrasion
Snyder says she often has clients insisting on a "really strong peel," microdermabrasion, or a trendy treatment they read about in a magazine. For most people -- and especially anyone with sensitive skin -- these treatments aren't necessary.
On the flip side, some of the less talked-about treatments can actually be the best ones for you. "One treatment that is vastly undersold is the microcurrent facial toning, aka 'non surgical facelift' or 'electric facial,'" Snyder says. "It has been around for about 30 years and it works!" She says some clients are reluctant since initially they'll need to come in two to three times a week, but she says the clients who do commit look fabulous. The lesson here: Find an esthetician you trust, and listen to what she recommends.
In our office, there's an ongoing debate about whether or not facials are worth it.
One camp loves them and has regularly scheduled appointments at various spas. They talk about the relaxing experience, the deep cleaning their skin gets, the glow they have when they leave, on and on...
The second group just doesn't understand the appeal of plonking down a hundred dollars (or more!) for someone to wash, exfoliate, and massage your face. Their argument: "Uh, can't you do that yourself at home?"
The debate may never be settled completely, but to help (and to give both sides some new ammunition), we got the inside scoop on facials from Arielle Snyder, an esthetician at Club Prive Salon in Los Angeles. We fired all of our burning questions at her, and she actually had the guts to give us honest answers.
Read on to find out the real reason why facials are so dang expensive, the disgusting truth about extractions, and why getting a peel may be the worst thing you ever do. Then tell us, which side are you on in the facials debate? Did any of these secrets make you switch teams?
