Although facials are primarily a treatment that benefits the skin, they are also very calming and relaxing and help to release tension in the neck, shoulder and face muscles. The skincare benefits to having regular facial treatments include helping the skin look brighter, smoother and more hydrated, while tailored treatments address specific concerns such as ageing or oily skin.

What’s included in a facial treatment?

These are the steps involved in the facial treatment, with a brief description of the purpose of each

Make up removal

We need to start with a clean, make-up free face. You can, of course, come make-up free, in which case the face massage segment will be slightly longer.

Cleansing

Once your skin is clear of any make-up, it can be thoroughly cleansed using a cleanser suited to your skin type. This will remove any impurities and excess oil. The cleanser is massaged into your face and neck and then removed with damp sponges.

Toning

Any remaining cleanser is cleared away with a toner suited to your skin type.

Exfoliation

Exfoliation continues the cleansing process, removing dead skin cells, unblocking pores and preparing your skin for better product absorption.

Skin warming

Next warm, towels are placed on your face and neck for a few minutes. As well as being a very soothing part of the treatment, it hydrates your skin, increases blood supply and prepares your skin for product absorption.

Face massage

Warming of your skin is followed by face, scalp, neck and shoulder massage. This continues the process of improving circulation, which increases the supply of oxygen and nutrients to your skin, as well as speeding up the removal of waste products. Head massage is extremely relaxing and encourages circulation to the scalp, improving hair health. Other benefits of facial massage (especially if done regularly) include:

• Plumping the skin
• Encouraging cell renewal
• Improving skin suppleness by promoting the production of collagen.
• Improving lymphatic drainage, which can reduce puffiness and speed up removal of waste products. 
• Releasing tension from the face muscles which eases frown and other lines, as well as helping to reduce tension headaches, teeth grinding and poor neck posture.
• Improving sinus drainage, leading to reduced pressure and fewer sinus headaches.

If you choose a 45 minute treatment, there will be approximately 5 minutes of face massage, while in a 60 minute treatment the time will be around 20 minutes.

Mask

Masks are an intensive skin treatment that can cleanse, exfoliate, nourish, calm and moisturise the skin. There are various types of mask, the most suitable will depend on your particular skin concerns. By this stage, the skin is thoroughly prepared to benefit from the beneficial ingredients in the mask. The mask is left on the skin for 5-10 minutes, then removed with wet sponges. Toner is used again to remove any final traces of the mask.

Moisturise

The final step is moisturising with a suitable product for your skin type. In an ideal world, our skin would be hydrated and have a healthy lipid (oil) layer keeping the moisture in. Unfortunately, skin is often dried out by soaps/foaming cleansing products as well as by exposure to sun and wind, or heating/air conditioning systems and other environmental factors. Moisturisers add both oil and water to the skin and also often contain beneficial active ingredients. The type of moisturiser used will depend on your skin type. Dry and mature skins benefit from a rich cream whereas oily skins need a light lotion. Moisturisers for sensitive skin contain soothing, calming ingredients.

How facials benefit mind & body relaxation

The neck and shoulders are notorious for holding onto tension. The neck muscles that attach to the collar bones, breast bone and top 2 ribs often hold some of the worst tension. The face up position in the facial allows these muscles to be easily reached and worked on during the massage segment. It also allows for work all around the shoulder joint, including the attachments at the front of the joint which can be very tight.

It’s not just the neck & shoulders though. Our faces hold onto a surprising amount of tension, especially in the jaw muscles, around the temples and the forehead. The whole treatment encourages relaxation of these areas, but in particular the face and head massage parts of the treatment really focus on this aspect.

As well as bringing about tension release by direct manipulation of muscles, the relaxing treatments included in the facial promote relaxation of the nervous system, calming the mind as well as the body.

Immediate and long term skin benefits of facials

The immediate benefits from one treatment include:

• Skin looks brighter and smoother due to removal of dead skin cells and impurities
• Skin is hydrated, which makes it look more smooth and plumped
• Lymphatic drainage of the skin is stimulated, reducing any puffiness
• Circulation is improved, giving the skin a healthy glow
• Facial massages stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system, lowering stress (cortisol) and increasing endorphins, which helps calm skin inflammation

Long term benefits of regular facials include

• Regular stimulation of the skin through massage boosts collagen production, which improves skin firmness, elasticity, and prevents sagging over time
• Consistent exfoliation helps promote a more even skin tone and smoother, refined texture.
• Regular, tailored care strengthens the skin’s natural protective barrier, making it more resilient against environmental stressors like pollution and seasonal changes
• Releasing tension in the facial muscles helps to soften expression lines

Facial treatments available

• 45 minute treatment including 5 minutes face, neck & shoulder massage £35
• 60 minute treatment including 20 minutes £45

Combined facial and back massage: You can combine a facial treatment with any back massage treatment and receive a £5 discount on the combined price. Back massage treatments available are:

• Regular back & shoulder 45 or 60 minutes
• Hot stones back & shoulder 45 or 60 minute

Book a facial

Fill out the booking enquiry form below and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can. You can see my working hours and upcoming availability here. If you want to know availability further ahead than what is shown, let me know on the form when you would be interested in booking for and I’ll check availability.