question about facials and sensitive skin

i have a GC for a spa day, and i have a choice of a 60 min. massage or a facial. i've never ever had a facial before b/c i am afraid that the extractions will make me break out more (i have cystic acne but it's well under control).

has anyone very prone to breakouts gotten a facial and not had a problem?

ETA: normally i would just go for the massage, but the spa day already comes with a 10 min. back massage and a 10 min. foot massage on top of that, and those are really the best parts so i felt like another 60 min. massage would be overkill.

Message edited 5/15/2009 8:32:54 AM.

Re: question about facials and sensitive skin

I have pretty sensitive skin too and I go for regular facials. You need to tell the aesthetician your concerns and they should no how to proceed from there. It also depends on the place. Is it a reputable spa or is it a place that specializes in something else and ALSO does facials, massages etc??? The reason I ask is because I one time had a gift certificate for a facial at this nail salon that I used to go to (they called it a "nail and day spa") and IMO, you can't really trust some places to have licensed professionals performing the service. Since this is your first time - I would definitely try to get some feedback from other people who have gone there.

Also, you don't have to have extractions. I have had plenty of facials where I told them to not do extractions and just do a gentle exfoliater and mask.

HTH

Re: question about facials and sensitive skin

thanks! it is a reputable place, i've never been, but it's a full service a spa, not a nail place that does massages.

i was thinking about asking them not to do extractions, i think that is where i would have the real problem. thank you so much for the advice!

Re: question about facials and sensitive skin

I would suggest not doing the extractions. I got facials before and loved them but recently my skin has been terrible, I went for a facial and it got so much worse.

Then, I went to the dermatologist and SHE did extractions and after my skin healed it looked SO much better.

I asked her why HER extractions hurt so bad and the facial extractions didnt really hurt THAT bad and she said that since its a "pampering" experience they are not going to want to hurt you ( I was in tears at the derm. ) which means most of the time they are not really cleaning out the whole pore so its just irritating with no pay off. When she does it, she doesnt give up until she gets down there.

I will never get extractions during a facial again