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The Facial Myth: Sorry, They Won't Change Your Life

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ceejeemcbeegee is not here
03/19/09

In reply to The Facial Myth: Sorry, They Won't Change Your Life
Who cares? I like them!
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tscheese
03/19/09

In reply to The Facial Myth: Sorry, They Won't Change Your Life
I have never had a facial and I have no desire to get one.

If you have enjoyed the hell out of them, that is FINE! I am glad you are having some good times. It sounds like it could be a lot of relaxing fun in theory - I mean, you let someone else take care of you, the idea is to relax, and often there are interesting sensations, massages, and pretty-smelling preparations. I can understand the appeal, and if you love it, great!

But I'm cheap, and I'm paranoid.

I have crazy active sebaceous glands--at the ripe ol' age of 27--and a skin milieu that just loves Propionibacterium acnes. I have learned to manage this very, very well by myself, with gentle cleansers and low-dose benzoyl peroxide preparations. I am fucking paranoid about anyone else putting fingers or masques or lotions or potions all over my face.

With my luck, I'd get a horrible breakout or MRSA.

If I ever REALLY have a problem that I can't treat with gentle cleansers and moisturizers at home, I'll go to an accredited, real-live trained dermatologist and suckle at the teat of Big Pharma. So no, I can't do it. It sounds like it might be a lot of fun - I mean, I love delicious-smelling lotions and cucumbers and what-not as much as the next lady, but I just can't do it.
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Plum-Pie
03/19/09

In reply to The Facial Myth: Sorry, They Won't Change Your Life
So timely - my skin has been really dull and spotty recently and a friend advised me to give myself a facial of crushed aspirin plus a bit of moisturiser(the salcylic acid is found in a lot of skin brightening products). It took 10 mins and my skin looked great afterwards. Must have cost about 10p, I'm definitely doing it again.
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georgina
03/19/09

In reply to The Facial Myth: Sorry, They Won't Change Your Life
I'm late to this, but I just got the Clairisonic. And it is amazing- really deep cleans quickly. And I swear my skin looks clearer and healthier after only a few days. Its pricey, but the same as a couple of facials. That and my Murad is taking care of my oily blemish prone skin!
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Hana Maru, used up old slutbag on the pole
03/19/09

@georgina: I want one so bad! I'm hoping the price will drop. If it does, it could be my birthday present.
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Lola del Rio
03/19/09

In reply to The Facial Myth: Sorry, They Won't Change Your Life
Lies. All filthy lies.

I am probably on of the few women on this thread who is not a natural beauty. (based on all the folks claiming that they have NEVER needed a facial and are all smug about it) I benefit greatly from a monthly facial.

The opening of the pores & the squeezing of the black heads is a NECESSITY when dealing with adult-acne.

Another interesting fact not based on any research on my part: Aestheticians, mostly women, mostly self-employed. Dermatologists, mostly men, mostly on somebody's payroll. Hmmmm....
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odinsraven
03/19/09

@Lola del Rio: I completely agree. My regular facials really are the best solution I've found to my problematic skin. I've tried the dermatologist route, which wasn't particularly successful, and with way too many complicated side effects and restrictions.

But having a brilliant aesthetician clean out my pores regularly? Pretty awesome. And if I had more money, I'd really love to get microdermabrasion more frequently.
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brendastarlet is on it
03/19/09

@odinsraven: I've been getting regular facials for years, and I credit them, plus lots of sunscreen, for my almost wrinkle-free skin. I also credit my facial lady for bringing my skin back to life after it was clogged by months of Tokyo pollution.
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Hana Maru, used up old slutbag on the pole
03/19/09

@Lola del Rio: I agree. They may not be a life-giving necessity, but they make a huge difference in my skin. And I'm surprised to see the bias of the dermatologists glossed over.
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Aesop's Foibles. YES.
03/19/09

In reply to The Facial Myth: Sorry, They Won't Change Your Life
I've had two facials. Both were free (!) at Neiman Marcus. My mom and I had gotten addicted to Prada cosmetics- no! they weren't shockingly expensive, I swearz!!- and every once in a while they do a Beauty Event. So we were on some list and got to go get a facial during two of these events. The girl doing them was amazingly awesome, and they had these, like, little secret rooms back by the accessories section, with dim lights and comfy, heated massage beds. It was wonderful, really. But Prada no longer makes cosmetics, and even if they did I couldn't afford them anymore. I avoid Niemans like the plague because it makes me sad. I use drugstore mineral powder makeup and it works out well. Also, for any of you with problem skin, neutrogena now makes a kit for grown ups that's been working pretty well for me. And my skin is not all that cooperative. And philosophy hope in a jar FTW!! Also philosophy "on a clear day" retinol clarifying lotion FTW!!

*scampers off to collect advertising dough*
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PeculiarB
03/19/09

In reply to The Facial Myth: Sorry, They Won't Change Your Life
I've gotten lots of free facials while reviewing spas, including that oxygen-machine kind. I've also smeared myself with dozens of kitchen ingredients.

Recently I realized just how much I was kidding myself: I purchased and used a (mild!) lactic acid peel that I bought online. It did more for my skin than -- any-- product or treatment I had ever purchased or made. So now I do that weekly and use cheaper drugstore brands of mild cleanser and moisturizer daily.

My new stance is firmly pro-chemical peel, and anti-facial.
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brendastarlet is on it
03/19/09

@PeculiarB: be very, very careful with that, and always wear sunscreen when you go out. You are taking off the top layer of your skin with acid.
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Flackette Goes Retro
03/19/09

In reply to The Facial Myth: Sorry, They Won't Change Your Life
I have a facial twice a day. I call it WASHING MY FACE.
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Kali Mama
03/19/09

In reply to The Facial Myth: Sorry, They Won't Change Your Life
I CANNOT be the only one giggling like a moron from the constant mention of facial / lotion is so great for the skin?
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Ichigo
03/19/09

In reply to The Facial Myth: Sorry, They Won't Change Your Life
I'm wondering if anyone has one of those facial sauna things? I've always wanted to buy one, but I don't want to waste the money and space if it's not worth it.
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Flackette Goes Retro
03/19/09

@DeenieFenner: Just boil pasta and stick your head over the pot :-)
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disco2000
03/19/09

@DeenieFenner: You have to be careful, some people are prone to broken capillaries, and the steam can trigger them if too hot. A hot shower, or draping a wet, warm washcloth over your face for 10 minutes would be a better option, and free!
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HoneyBoom
03/19/09

@DeenieFenner: I had the same results with a facial steamer as I did by just boiling some water and putting my face over the pot... toss in some facial steam mix (buncha dried herbs and flowers you can get at some yuppie health food stores) if you wanna get extra fancy.
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brendastarlet is on it
03/19/09

@HoneyBoom: be super careful. You can burn yourself badly, and the skin on your face is thin.
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HereComesMyBaby
03/19/09

In reply to The Facial Myth: Sorry, They Won't Change Your Life
Why are people not into pore extractions? I think they are the kewlest. They are the only reason I would go to a facial, since you can't take shit out of your pores by yourself at home (at least I can't).

Extractions FTW!
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Flackette Goes Retro
03/19/09

@HereComesMyBaby: You can buy a little extractor tool at Sephora and go crazy with it at home.
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HereComesMyBaby
03/19/09

@Flackette is a bored flack: Nah, it'll get infected. Also, I don't live in the US. Hmmm maybe I can ask my mom to buy it for me. I will try this!
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brendastarlet is on it
03/19/09

@HereComesMyBaby: Extractions, when you have a breakout, are a great reason for a facial. You can get an infection by doing it yourself, because if you dig wrong, you push the puss back into your skin. EWWWWW.
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HereComesMyBaby
03/19/09

In reply to The Facial Myth: Sorry, They Won't Change Your Life
This is why everyone should move to the Middle East. The manicures, waxes, and facials are so cheap! And it's not even because of the bad economy, it's because everyone (at least in my country) is hairy.

Yesterday, I got my eyebrows/upper lip done for the equivalent of $8. I LOVE LIFE.
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LaFemme
03/19/09

@HereComesMyBaby: Also Latin America. You can have someone come to your house once a week for a mani/pedi/facial/waxing session and hair treatment and it will cost like 20 bucks plus I tip well, so lets say 30. I miss it SO MUCH.
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DinaRonson : Elizabeth Cady Stanton
03/19/09

In reply to The Facial Myth: Sorry, They Won't Change Your Life
I can not wait to tell my suburban "Ooooh Spa day! Spa Day!" friends that I had it right - sitting at the bar while they paid someone $200 to mash food on their face.

Bartender!
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eadubbs
03/19/09

In reply to The Facial Myth: Sorry, They Won't Change Your Life
There's an Aveda institute near my house and I got there for the like $18 hair cut and $8 manicure. I went all out and got a facial cause I felt like my pores with the size of houses. When she finished, she put, without consulting me, some sort of foundation/make up on. It seemed totally counterproductive. I can't complain since it was so cheap. I was just kind of bummed.
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brendastarlet is on it
03/19/09

@eadubbs: I don't let them do makeup afterwards, just a little light powder to soak up the residue.
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restless
03/19/09

In reply to The Facial Myth: Sorry, They Won't Change Your Life
Facials are bullshit, as is most of the spa stuff offered. I had my first one at like, 31 or 32 and it totally sucked. Two words: pore extraction. It hurt like hell and made my skin red. The 2nd one? Even worse.

Massages and pedicures I still do, but the rest of it is sheer crap built on making the most of women's insecurities.
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brendastarlet is on it
03/19/09

@restless: do you lie out in the sun and use baby oil, too?
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