A few days ago I did something I haven’t done in ages: I went for a facial.
I’ve had a mixed history with facials. As a teenager I got one that left my face in such a mess that it scared me off them for years. Later, in my early twenties, I became a devotee of Kate Sommerville here in Los Angeles. I went for almost weekly facials there that—while draining to my bank account—seemed to help the cystic acne I’d developed around my jawline at the time.
Whether the effects were placebo or not is unclear, but I loved the ritual, and my facialist was kind and gentle (and I’m convinced a closet energy worker). Maybe her soothing neck massages were the true cure for my acne. Aside from the products (which, while not totally clean, did feature a lot of natural actives), she also used all kinds of blue and red lights and things that vibrated. There were also extractions.
Extractions are controversial—but I’m convinced that people who are against them can’t possibly be prone to same surface clogging that I am.
Let’s just put it this way: There are people in my life, who shall remain nameless, who actually beg to do my extractions. Yes, I run with a disgusting lot at times.
And while healthy skin oils and good clean products help, because I don’t believe in peeling and over-exfoliating, I’m starting to think extractions (done carefully by a professional) may be a more viable option in helping my skin breathe better, so to speak.
Fast-forward several years to a few days ago. After something of a grueling work week in New York’s 100-degree humidity, followed by an almost-as-muggy, feeling-filled family visit near Montreal—I came back to Los Angeles with skin in need of some serious help.
A friend had recently told me about Marianne Kehoe who does a facial using warm cotton strips soaked in mineral and vitamin-loaded waters as opposed to products and peels. Marianne also does extractions, after which she uses something called a “galvanic electrical current” to help heal the skin. Has anyone tried this before? At this point my skepticism is healthy when it comes to any treatment, but the experience was completely non-aggressive and in desperate times a girl wants to believe.
According to Elle, these facials have been a thing for some time (centuries), but I plan to do more research. For now, my skin is feeling better—and clearer.
Where do you sit on facials, extractions, and a lil’ electroshock therapy?
Image via Elle
