The many benefits of European style facials

Urszula (Ula) Szumilas-Rapala, European-trained Medical Aesthetician, shares her view on the benefits of facials and self care.

In today’s fast paced society, we often ignore the fact that our bodies and skin, just like our minds, also need caring for. A facial treatment can be a wonderful and relaxing tonic to our hectic everyday world: a holistic treatment that seeks to restore our inner balance by supporting the natural rhythm and harmony of our body. While there are many innovative ways of performing a facial, I believe in the classic European method. It begins with a soothing ambience of relaxing music, scent of the oils, a gentle touch, and perhaps a pleasant conversation focused on helping the client improve their knowledge of their skin condition.

When we are young, our skin replaces itself every 22 to 28 days, but the process of skin cell turnover slows down as we age. The classic facial is designed to boost our skin’s functions and metabolism, to increase blood circulation, improve oxygenation, brighten the complexion, smooth out the skin’s texture and fine lines, extract pore impurities (acne breakouts, milia), soothe skin sensitivity, slow premature aging,  reduce oiliness or hydrate dryness, detoxify, and rejuvenate, and finally, to stimulate the production of endorphins - the hormones responsible for happiness. After a classic European facial treatment, the skin appears dewy and radiant, and it feels softer. I recommend repeating the treatment with each season’s change to help the skin adjust to the changing weather conditions.

To improve the skin’s natural glow, I use a variety of cleansing, exfoliating, warming, extracting, massaging techniques and treatment masks plus a finishing regimen of skin care. My favourite part of performing facials is skin analysis, extractions, and massage. I enjoy talking with my clients about their skin needs and I enjoy the challenge of creating a plan to help them love their skin again. This may require a more comprehensive consultation and a journey into laser treatments in the future. Unlike some facials, a classic European facial includes a therapeutic facial massage. All my clients know how much I love doing a relaxing or lifting massage that plumps the skin, wakes up nerve endings, stimulates the muscles and relaxes the mind. Among my favourites is the therapeutic lymphatic drainage massage where, by applying gentle and rhythmic pressure on lymphatic system, I help to reduce the skin’s inflammation, redness, and swelling and facilitate removal of materials from the body more quickly thereby detoxifying the skin.

I believe in using medical grade skin care products during all my facial services. Pharmaceuticals are formulated with pure medical grade ingredients that have potent active agents encapsulated in tiny molecules for faster product penetration and slow release deep in the skin, thereby helping the skin rejuvenate and improve from the inside out.

When a client books a facial, I want them to consider what things they like or don’t like about their skin and share their concerns. My job is to then analyze my client’s skin condition and customize the treatment according to the client’s specific skin needs. The client will learn about their skin, will receive advice on skin care products as well as future treatment recommendations. Together, we formulate a long-term plan to restore their natural skin beauty. 

Regardless of who you are – a hardworking mom, a professional executive, a red-carpet celebrity, an on-the-go retiree, a groom-to-be, or a bachelorette getting ready for a party – the classic European facial is an excellent treatment for you. It would be my pleasure to see you at ArtMed!

Ula Szumilas-Rapala

Medical Aesthetician, Laser Technician