Levisagewellness Blog

Designed to cleanse and exfoliate your skin, a Snohomish Facial also leaves your face well hydrated. If you are unfamiliar with spa treatments, the facial is a great test run. Often, clients will indulge in a sauna (traditional or steam) to open their pores in preparation for the facial.

What to Expect

1. Cleansing – using a product chosen for your skin type (normal, oily, dry, etc.), your esthetician will thoroughly clean your face of any makeup or moisturizer
2. Analysis – using a magnifying lamp (extremely bright), your esthetician will examine your skin closely for condition. Your eyes will be protected during this examination.
3. Exfoliate – depending on both your preference and your esthetician’s recommendations, your facial skin will be exfoliated using either mechanical or chemical methods. Mechanical exfoliation is performed with microdermabrasion tools. Choosing a chemical peel may require subsequent visits to complete the facial.
4. Extract – using special tools, you may choose to have your esthetician extract black- and/or white-heads. If you have especially sensitive skin this could be painful. Additionally, sometimes, the extraction process can break capillaries or discoloration on sensitive skin. Your esthetician can help determine if your skin is conducive to extraction.
5. Massage – using classic (effleurage) massage techniques, your esthetician will massage your face and neck muscles. This relaxes and stimulates blood flow to the surface, increasing oxygen flow to your skin.
6. Mask – your esthetician will choose the appropriate mask for your skin type (aged, dry, oily, etc.). Please note: your esthetician should remain in the room, perform scalp massage, during the mask process. If she/he leaves – don’t return!
7. Moisturize – because your skin is freshly exfoliated and cleansed, it will be more receptive to retaining moisturizers, allowing them to sink deeper into the tissue. Your esthetician will apply toners and creams to protect your new skin.
8. Education – your esthetician will speak with you about home skin care and how often you should have a facial.

While cosmetologists are legally permitted to give facials, the most qualified is a licensed esthetician. Practicing estheticians giving facials should have special training in skin care. Verify the qualifications of your technician. Don’t be embarrassed – ask prior to making the appointment. It may cost a bit more to have a licensed skin care esthetician, but it is well worth the difference.

Skin care and beauty is nothing new! Although modern day skin care is cutting edge, the fact is, even the ancient Egyptians and Chinese practiced skin care. Today we have numerous choices of products and treatments to treat our skin and prevent the signs of aging.

Ancient Beauty Secrets

Well known for her attention to anti-aging skin care regimen, Cleopatra’s sour milk baths are in fact scientifically proven as beneficial. High levels of lactic acid present in sour milk is actually fantastic for the skin – think buttermilk bath. Ancient Egyptians believed that cleanliness was necessary for good health and to ward off evil.

Ancient Greek athletes bathed in olive oil, followed by dusting their bodies with fine sand.Used primarily to regulate their bodies’ temperature, the athletes unknowingly were protecting their skin from the sun’s harmful UV rays as well. This was one of the first documented sunblocks on record – which prevented their skin from premature aging. It was common for both men and women to use honey and olive oil to enhance their appearance and protect their health.

Ancient Romans were the first to introduce shaving of body hair (other than men’s faces, of course). Plucking, shaving and even forms of depilatories were used by both men and women. Taking advantage of the natural water resources, the population partook in daily baths with soaps to cleanse their skin. The skin care process was completed with application of scented oils to their skin.

What Happened in Europe?

As recent as the 19th century, Europeans were known to use scented toilette waters and oils to mask their body odors. They believed that daily bathing was unhealthy, ironically, the lack of cleanliness was  responsible for  a number of illnesses and diseases related to poor hygiene.

Fortunately, today even the majority of Europeans do bathe daily, as has been an American habit for some time. Concerns over body odor not related to poor hygiene, led to the development of deodorants and antiperspirants in the late 19th century.

Modern Skin Care

As women gained independence after World War I, they began to spend more money on cosmetics and skin care. By the nifty 50s, with a television in nearly every American home, advertising had brought the wonders of skin care to more and more women. Following their favorite Hollywood movie stars, women began to emulate their favorites’ skin care regimen and makeup routines.

With research into aging, every time there is a breakthrough it seems the cosmetic industry follows suit with a new anti-aging product. The old stand-bys are still in use today, however, think…cucumbers for puffy eyes. But many high-end products available from Everett Skin Care Line, are based on the most current research regarding aging and its affects on the skin.

Remember, skin care starts with proper cleansing! It is essential that you cleanse your skin at night, removing all makeup and in the morning to remove heavy night creams before applying moisturizers/makeup. Everett Skin Care experts at Le Visage Wellness in Mukilteo also offer a variety of treatments, including microdermabrasion and chemical peels that will allow moisturizers to sink even deeper into your tissue, providing increased care for your skin.

Are you sick and tired of looking sick and tired – especially when you aren’t sick and tired? As we age, it doesn’t seem to take much stress to show its effects on our face. For an extra shot of oxygen to your skin, Lake Stevens Skin Care line now offers Bliss Triple Oxygen Instant Energizing Mask. This frothy mask, inspired by Bliss Spa’s famous facial, releases oxygen into the skin. Leaving your complexion brighter, instantly! Each use will leave you looking fresher and younger!

Active Ingredients

Bliss Triple Oxygen Instant Energizing Mask’s active ingredients include:

• Fluid O2™: provides “liquid ventilation” for your skin
• NaPCA: a humectant that provides non-greasy hydration for your skin
• Vitamin C: reduces melanin production to help reduce age spots and stimulates collagen production
• EUK-134: antioxidant that provides “post-metabolism” clean-up

It is recommended that this foaming mask be used 3 times per week. Overuse can cause your skin to become dry. As this is not a cleanser, it is to be used with caution, to avoid sensitivity to ingredients. The bleaching action of the mask requires 1-2 days for your skin to recover fully. Customers have reported, however, using the product more often with no adverse affects. Proceed with caution should you decide to go off-lable for use!

Customers report that using the product, as directed (3 times per week), with 1-2 pumps per application, the 3.4 ounce bottle has lasted as long as 9 months. Obviously, this rate will vary according to your skin surface. Generally, an average face is fully covered with product using no more than 2-pumps per application.

When to Use

Fortunately, the Bliss Triple Oxygen Instant Energizing Mask only requires 5 minutes to do its thing! Which means you can use it in the morning (especially following a night with little sleep and a lot of booze!). This is a fantastic way to start any rough morning routine – never look tired or hungover again!

Although not designed as an acne treatment, reports indicate the mask is an effective addition to the pimple arsenal. With increased oxygen and the antioxidant ingredients, acne outbreaks are reduced. Additionally, redness and inflammation associated with acne is decreased as well. Be careful about mixing products when battling acne – always seek advice from either your physician or esthetician.

Eye Treatment

For specific treatment of the eyes, Lake Stevens Skin Care also offers Bliss Triple Oxygen Instant Energizing Eye Masks. Designed for use 1 time per week, reports indicate significant reduction of dark circles and puffiness under your eyes.

Packaged as a dehydrated mineral mask is rehydrated immediately prior to application with proprietary fluid included with each individual mask. Placing the mask over your eyes for 15 minutes refreshes and removes puffiness surrounding your eyes.