Spa Treatments: Best Facial For Acne Scars
Do you have Clients visiting your Spa discouraged by their acne scars? It’s worth the time and hard work when you see a Client achieve clear, blemish-free skin as well as the confidence that follows. If you’re looking to refresh the acne scarring treatments that you offer, we have two facial spa treatments ready for you, with products included. The first is the Yam & Pumpkin Pro Enzyme Peel 20% Facial. This treatment can be performed weekly for a maximum of four weeks. The second treatment is the Bright Skin VitaSkin™ Solution Facial which can be performed once a month.
Before we dive into the step-by-step facial treatment details, let’s take a look at other acne scarring treatments your Clients might ask you about.
Potential Acne Scarring Treatments
Laser resurfacing
This treatment is increasingly popular and is often used on scars that were once treated with dermabrasion. However, this technique has an increased risk of side effects for people with darker skin or a history of keloids.
Dermabrasion
This procedure is performed by a plastic surgeon who removes the top layer of skin with a rapidly rotating brush or other device. Usually reserved for more severe scarring, dermabrasion may completely remove surface scars and improve deeper acne scars may appear less noticeable. Potential severe side effects include scarring and changes in skin tone.
If your Clients have any questions about acne in general, you can share this acne scarring blog post that details the most common types of acne scars and what they can do to get rid of them.
Yam & Pumpkin Pro Enzyme Peel 20% Facial
The Yam & Pumpkin Pro Enzyme Peel 20% Facial can be done in about 30 – 45 minutes, depending on how you’d like to market it. Eminence Organics Product Support Team Lead Alicia Hawthorne points out that this protocol does not include extractions or massage. This means you could market it as an « Express Lunchtime Facial » and aim to complete it within 30 minutes.
Ask your Client some common sense questions prior to the Yam & Pumpkin Pro Enzyme Peel 20% Facial treatment. If a Client answers “Yes” to any of the questions, you should avoid exfoliation.
The questions to ask:
• Are you currently using retinol?
• Have you had a chemical peel in the last two weeks?
• Have you just recently shaved the treatment area in the last two hours?
• Are you under the care of a dermatologist/plastic surgeon and using any at home “peeling” treatments?
• Do you have a sun/wind burn?
• Do you have a cold sore or do you get cold sores?
Step 1: Cleansing
Once you’re sure that this treatment is suitable, the first step is to cleanse your Client’s skin with the Eucalyptus Cleansing Concentrate. This cleanser will give the peel maximum penetration when applied. Follow up with either the Stone Crop Gel Wash or the Lemon Cleanser. The Lemon Cleanser contains BioComplex: a booster of antioxidants, Coenzyme Q10 and Alpha Lipoic Acid to minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. For those with sensitive skin, the Stone Crop Gel Wash would be more suitable because it contains gentle ingredients such as chamomile, stone crop and shea butter.
Step 2: Toning
Once the skin is cleansed, apply the appropriate toner and leave it on. Oily skin types may be suited to our Lime Refresh Tonique which contains green tea, lavender and lime juice (a natural astringent). Dry skin types would benefit from the Stone Crop Hydrating Mist which assists with hydration, while sensitive skin types would benefit from the Hawthorn Tonique, a blend of eucalyptus oil and chamomile to reduce the appearance of skin irritation.
Step 3: Exfoliation
Before applying the Yam & Pumpkin Pro Enzyme Peel 20%, a preliminary patch test is advised. Cleanse skin behind the ear, apply a tiny amount of peel and leave undisturbed for two to three minutes. Then you can neutralize the skin with the Soothing Chamomile Tonique. If no unnatural reaction occurs, you are ready to apply the peel as directed.
Now that you’ve conducted a patch test, ensure that the skin is dry and apply a thin layer of the Yam & Pumpkin Pro Enzyme Peel 20% over the face and neck with a fan brush or fingers.
Next, massage the product lightly with the fingertips. For the first treatment allow it to remain on skin for two to three minutes and for subsequent treatments leave on for three to five minutes if the Client tolerates it well.
Remove with towels soaked in cool water or tea. Follow immediately with the Soothing Chamomile Tonique sprayed on a cotton pad and then rinse the skin with the cool towels, thoroughly cleaning the skin.
Step 4: Masking
When the peel is complete, select a relaxing facial mask to apply such as the Stone Crop Masque, the Calm Skin Arnica Masque or Menthol Rosehip Treatment. The Stone Crop Masque will help the skin appear smoother and firmer. With shea butter and marigold, the Calm Skin Arnica Masque helps the complexion appear toned and enriched. Lastly, the Menthol Rosehip Treatment leaves a cooling sensation on the skin with a formulation that includes menthol, honey and rosehip.
Step 5: Targeted Treatment For Different Skin Types
To nourish the skin, apply a targeted treatment which could be either a serum, oil or concentrate. For example, all skin types (but especially mature) will benefit from the Firm Skin Acai Booster-Serum as it helps the skin appear noticeably softer and smoother. The Stone Crop Serum is ideal for dehydrated skin types and it even reduces the appearance of age spots and skin blotches. To create a brighter appearance in the skin, the Eight Greens Youth Serum uses concentrated whole plant yucca, chasteberry and flax seed extracts to help with brightening. For oily skin types, the Clear Skin Willow Bark Booster-Serum is suitable as it is infused with willow bark and tea tree oil to reduce the appearance red, dry skin.
Step 6: Moisturizing
Select the appropriate moisturizer depending on your Client’s skin type. Do not use the Naseberry Treatment Cream due to its Alpha Hydroxy Acid content.
Step 7: Eye Care
Apply a thin layer of the Lavender Age Corrective Night Eye Cream or the Raspberry Eye Masque to the eye area using light blending motions until absorbed. Leave on.
Step 8: Sun Defense
For all skin types, apply Sun Defense Minerals SPF 30 as per instructions to finish the routine. After a peel treatment, skin will be more sensitive to the sun and application of an SPF product is mandatory. Advise your Client to use sunscreen, wear protective clothing and limit sun exposure after each treatment and for a week afterwards.
Step 9: Lip Care/Add-On Lip Treatment
Use the Citrus Lip Balm or the Rosehip & Lemongrass Lip Balm SPF 15 to protect your Client’s lips. Let your Client know that this facial treatment can be performed once a week for four weeks. Thereafter, they can use the lower dose product — the Yam & Pumpkin Enzyme Peel 5% — at home bi-weekly. The cycle of using a 20% peel can be re-started after a three week resting period.
Bright Skin VitaSkin™ Solution Facial
For this treatment, allow 60 – 75 minutes to complete. In terms of facial frequency, Alicia says that the Bright VitaSkin™ Solution Facial can be done once a month.
Step 1: Cleansing
To cleanse the skin, use either the Stone Crop Gel Wash or Bright Skin Cleanser. These are suitable for all skin types, but the Stone Crop Gel Wash is particularly good for combination skin as it evens out skin tone and minimizes the appearance of blemishes. The Bright Skin Cleanser is very suited to dry skin types as it contains two actives — Swiss Alpine Plant Extracts and Natural Hydroquinone Alternative.
Step 2: Toning
The Stone Crop Hydrating Mist contains lavender, stone crop juice and jasmine, a formulation that helps skin appear fresh and toned. Apply one to two sprays to cleansed skin, avoiding the eye area. Leave this product on.
Step 3: Exfoliation
Before exfoliation, a preliminary patch test is advised before a general application is made. Depending on the skin type we have a few options below. The patch test involves cleansing the skin behind the ear, applying the product and leaving it undisturbed for five to seven minutes. Then neutralize with the Soothing Chamomile Tonique. If no unnatural skin reaction occurs, you can move onto applying the chemical peel.
For the patch test on sensitive skin types, mix equal parts of the Strawberry Rhubarb Dermafoliant and the Bright Skin Cleanser. Apply on an area such as the neck, gently using a circular motion. Leave on for two to five minutes, and then rinse off.
For everyone else, apply the Bright Skin Licorice Root Exfoliating Peel. Use a dropper onto a cotton round or dispense directly into your hands. Apply in circular motions covering the face and neck, avoiding the eye area. Do not rinse as there is no need to neutralize.
Now that you have conducted a patch test, you can exfoliate with the Yam & Pumpkin Enzyme Peel 5%. Once you’ve checked that the skin is dry, apply a thin layer of skin peeling product over the face and neck with a fan brush or fingers. Lightly massage the product with fingertips and leave on for five to seven minutes. Advise your Client that they may feel a heated tingle. Consider performing a scalp massage as a distraction technique.
After this time, remove the peel with cooling wet towels. Follow immediately with the Soothing Chamomile Tonique sprayed on a cotton pad and then thoroughly rinse skin with cool, water-soaked towels.
Step 4: Extractions
If you want to perform extractions on the Client’s skin, this would be performed now, after the exfoliating step. However, this protocol does not include an extraction step.
Step 5: Masks
You’re now ready to apply a leave-on mask or apply a mask with a facial massage technique if you desire. The Stone Crop Masque can be used for all skin types. For normal to dry skin types you can use the Bright Skin Masque.
Step 6: Massage
After removing the mask, follow up with a relaxing massage. For all skin types, treat with the Pear & Green Apple Massage Soufflé diluted with water or tea. For dry to normal skin types, apply a thin layer of the ultra-rich Bright Skin Overnight Correcting Cream or Citron Age-Defying Massage Soufflé instead, dipping the hands in tea or another liquid for extra slip.
Step 7: Targeted Treatment
Does your Client have uneven, pigmented or dehydrated skin? Consider applying a targeted treatment like the Bright Skin Licorice Root Booster-Serum. For skin types with dark spots or dull skin, apply the, apply the Bright Skin Targeted Treatment to brighten the appearance of the skin.
Step 8: Moisturizing
If the Client has oily or normal skin, apply a thin layer of the Stone Crop Hydrating Gel to the face. The combination of stone crop, bearberry extract and green tea helps the skin to appear more plump and hydrated.
Perhaps a Client is more concerned with brightening up their dull, dry complexion. In that case, use the Bright Skin Overnight Correcting Cream as it contains shea butter, stone crop and a Natural Hydroquinone Alternative.
For combination skin, apply the Bright Skin Moisturizer SPF 40 which helps with the appearance of an uneven skin tone.
Step 9: Eye Care
Apply a thin layer of the Neroli Age Corrective Eye Serum or the Cucumber Eye Gel to the eye area with light blending movements until absorbed. Leave on.
Step 10: Sun Defense
For all skin types, apply Sun Defense Minerals SPF 30 for sun care. In terms of SPF application and protection, this is the same instruction as for the above treatment. Remind your Clients that application of an SPF product is mandatory after a peel because their skin will be more sensitive to the sun. They should also wear protective clothing, and avoid the sun as much as possible for one week after the treatment.
Step 11: Lip Care/Add-On Lip Treatment
Use the Citrus Lip Balm or the Rosehip & Lemongrass Lip Balm SPF 15 to protect and plump your Client’s lips.
Other Products To Add To Your Skin Care Kit
When it comes to acne scarring, Eminence Organics Senior Product Development Manager Colette Lieberman recommends a few additional products.
Our Citrus & Kale Potent C+E Serum offers Clients intense hydration with ingredients like hyaluronic acid, botanical ferulic acid, avocado. The inclusion of citrus oils helps the skin to appear firmer and plumper.
Does your Client have mature skin? They will enjoy the Citrus & Kale Potent C+E Masque, designed to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.
To minimize the signs of aging, the Arctic Berry Pro Advanced Peel Activator MA20 contains cloudberry seed, arctic roseroot, arctic meadowsweet and juniper sprouts. It also has Lingonberry Seed Oil to replenish the skin’s moisture and Hibiscus Extract to promote the look of elasticity in the skin.
Looking for other problem skin products? Browse our selection of skin care products. And for more award-winning education, find out how to become an Eminence Organics Spa Partner.
