Can You Get Regular Facials if You Have Eczema? Expert Advice on Treating Irritated Skin
Wondering if regular facials are safe with eczema? Discover expert skincare tips for sensitive skin
Like many women shifting from makeup to skin care, I constantly think about my regimen. As someone who has dealt with combination skin—namely an oily T-zone and dry patches around my mouth and eyes, along with eczema—finding the right skincare routine has been close to impossible (truly, the trial and error that has been my regimen is mind-blowing).
So when I got engaged in June and embarked on the exciting—yet terrifying—challenge of wedding planning, it dawned on me that the last thing I want to be thinking about on my wedding day is my skin. But then, of course, the dread kicked in: Can I get regular facials since I have eczema? The short answer, as my esthetician explained to me, is yes. But like many elements of skincare, it’s not that simple.
What is eczema?
Often thought of as simple redness of the skin, eczema is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that most often results in itchy, dry and inflamed areas of the face, as detailed by the National Eczema Association. Also known as atopic dermatitis, there are seven different kinds of eczema, but it most commonly manifests as red, inflamed skin for those with lighter complexions and gray-ish purple inflamed skin for those with darker complexions. The condition—which impacts 31 million Americans—is most often caused by environmental or genetic factors, and can be triggered by everyday substances such as pet dander, cosmetics, skincare products, detergents, perfumes, dust mites or (in my case) stress.
As someone who is prone to eczema flare-ups during heightened periods of anxiety and conflict, my skin tends to work as a barometer for my emotions. When public speaking or in a confrontational situation, my chest, neck and face very quickly break out in red, blotchy patches. If my stress is high enough, the areas around my eyes and mouth as well as my temples will development a rash that often takes weeks to calm down. And, as anyone with eczema can tell you, there isn’t so much a cure as there is reactionary treatments to flare-ups as and when they happen.
Can you treat eczema with regular facials?
Though the notion of getting a facial if you suffer from eczema can be intimidating, regular appointments can actually be beneficial in the treatment of the condition. Thanks to the amazing estheticians at Los Angeles’ Cheeks & Co., I quickly learned that the effectiveness of any kind of skincare treatment comes down to the products used and the knowledge of the spa. As long as the technician you’re working with opts for gentle products, passes on harsh exfoliation and customizes the facial to your needs, a monthly visit can help you make significant strides towards repair and hydration. In addition to the number of irritations brought on by eczema, the condition can weaken the skin barrier, causing flare-ups to rupture. Facials, as part of a regular skincare routine, can actually help restore the skin barrier and usher your complexion into a new era.
As my esthetician, Maria, pointed out to me during our first appointment at Cheeks & Co., some folks will head to a facial spa as a one off (i.e. enjoying a gift card or a birthday treat). As she explained, this kind of client might be under the impression that a facial is just a lot of creams slapped onto the skin with no real plan or purpose—this, as I learned, couldn’t be further from the truth. In fact, it’s often people like me—who do have a skin condition such as eczema or rosacea—that benefit from regular facials the most. The most important aspect, however, is to work with one esthetician over a period of time, rather than bouncing from one spa to the next.
In my case, Maria came up with a plan to help routinely sooth the dry, itchy and red areas of my face while also treating my skin at home. Gone will be the guess work that often goes into creating and maintaining a skincare routine—I, for one, am guilty of throwing every single kind of product (spending who knows how much money) on my skin in the hopes of seeing results, to no avail. Instead, a monthly facial will benefit me in a number of ways: I will be able to focus on its needs, simplify my at-home routine and thus save a ton of money on unnecessary products, give myself a once-a-month hour of downtime, all while documenting the process. Not only will I show my progress month over month, but I’ll share what I learn so folks who may not be able to spring for a facial or simply don’t have the time can replicate their own facial benefits at home. Here’s a closer video look of my visit!
@loumarshall1 Come with me to #cheeksandcospa as I document #facials for the next 10 months ahead of my wedding to soothe my #eczema and calm my #skin redness! Follow along at firstforwomen.com for monthly #skincare updates
So, without further ado, keep scrolling to learn more about my facial for month zero—the starting point—and where we’ll go from here.
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