When it comes to skincare, there is always a challenge between visiting a facial spa or a dermatologist. Deciding about the right place and person to visit for doing skincare treatments depends on different factors including your skin concerns. This article would help you know more about each choice and their benefits, so you can better decide whether to visit a dermatologist, go to a facial spa, or even both.
What is a facial spa?
A facial spa provides targeted skin treatments for improving skin appearance and relaxation. These treatments are mostly focused on cosmetics skin concerns and promote overall skin health. Estheticians, who are trained in skincare but are not medical professionals, typically perform these treatments. Here are some common services offered in a facial spa:
- Deep cleansing facials: The first service offered by a facial spa is deep cleansing facials. These facials focus on removing impurities, dirt, and extra oil from your skin pores. They are a great option for those with blackheads or whiteheads on their skin. There are also customized facials based on skin types that are offered by facial spas.
- Hydration treatments: These treatments focus on dry skin hydration. During a hydration treatment at a facial spa different serums and face masks are used to penetrate into the deeper layers of skin. This is a suitable option for treating skin flakiness and dullness.
- Anti-aging facials: In the anti-aging facials skin products enriched with antioxidants and peptides are used to reduce fine lines and wrinkles. There are sometimes also face massages for improving collagen production.
- Exfoliation treatments: During exfoliation treatments in facial spas, scrubs, enzymes, or light chemical peels are used to remove dead cells. Regular skin exfoliation helps you have an improved skin texture and better skincare product results as they can absorb your skin more easily by doing exfoliation treatments. (If you are interested, you can also read the chemical vs. physical exfoliating scrubs article).
- LED light therapy: Another popular skincare service offered by a facial spa is LED light therapy. It is a non-invasive skin treatment that is used for treating skin issues like acne, redness, and lack of radiance.
What does a dermatologist do?
A dermatologist is a medical doctor who specializes in skin health. Dermatologists can diagnose different skin issues from minor concerns to bigger and vital ones. They can perform medical treatments like chemical peels, and laser therapy, and prescribe medications. Here are some skin health conditions and services provided by a dermatologist:
Acne and severe breakouts: dermatologists can prescribe suitable medications for severe acne and breakouts like topical retinoids or antibiotics. They can also do in-office treatments such as laser therapy, acne extraction, or chemical peeling.
Rosacea and eczema: For skin issues like rosacea and eczema which cause skin irritation, redness, or itching, dermatologists prescribe medical creams and medications to treat these skin concerns.
Skin cancer: for severe skin issues like cancer, a dermatologist performs different checkups or even a biopsy to detect the problem in the first steps, and take further actions.
Advanced anti-aging procedures: There are different anti-aging methods for reducing fine lines and wrinkles like botox, fillers, and skin resurfacing that are done by dermatologists.
Comparing the benefits of a facial spa with a dermatologist
Here are some featured benefits of both dermatologist and facial spas which can help you know more about each of them before deciding to choose one for treating your skin concerns:
Facial spa benefits:
- Relaxation: The calm and soothing environment of spas filled with light music and pleasant aromas creates great and relaxing experiences for patients.
- Immediate glow: many spas try to work on the skin surface for immediate glowing skin right after each session.
- Non-medical concern: Spas are ideal for addressing cosmetic and non-medical skin issues like fine lines, wrinkles, or dullness.
- Affordable skin treatment options: Compared to medical treatments, the services offered in a facial spa are mostly affordable and can be followed regularly.
Dermatologist benefits:
- Medical expertise: Dermatologists can diagnose different skin issues accurately and recommend related solutions like medications and skin products that are beyond over-counter or skin treatments like laser therapy or even surgery in severe cases.
- Long-term results: Dermatologists provide treatments to resolve the root of skin issues. Therefore, the skin treatment results will last for a long time or permanently.
- Custom skincare solutions: Dermatologists plan a customized skincare plan for each patient to maximize the result.
When to choose a facial spa?
Here are common situations in which you can visit a facial spa:
- If you have mild skin concerns like skin dullness, clogged pores (blackheads or whiteheads), and general issues that are related to your skin surface. They can be treated by non-invasive treatments like facials in a facial spa.
- If you are looking for a relaxing experience, facial spas are the right place for you. There is always a calm and relaxing atmosphere in spas which helps you feel much better mentally while enjoying glowing skin.
- If your skin issues are cosmetics not medical, there is always a suitable solution for your skin concerns in a spa.
- If you need to follow regular skincare for glowing skin, facial spas are the right place to go.
When to see a dermatologist
There are also the conditions in which you need to visit a dermatologist:
- If you have persistent severe acne and breakouts, visiting a dermatologist to diagnose the root of the issue and prescribe medication or do skin therapies is a necessity.
- When there are signs of eczema or other unusual symptoms that require medical expertise to carefully be diagnosed and treated.
- If you are looking for a long-term skin rejuvenation solution, it is best to visit a dermatologist for skin treatments like dermal filler or Botox.
- If over-the-counter skin products do not work for your skin concerns, it is better to visit a dermatologist for stronger and more targeted products based on your issue.
Can you combine both facial spa and dermatologist visits?
Of course yes! Many individuals benefit from both facial spas and dermatologists. It means that based on your skin issues, you can make an appointment with your dermatologist yearly to address skin concerns while visiting once a month a facial spa for glowing and relaxing skin. However, it is always recommended for any facial spa service, to consult your dermatologist if you have specific problems or you are under a treatment plan.
Conclusion
The selection between a facial spa and a dermatologist ultimately depends on your specific skin needs and goals. By understanding the roles of facial spas and dermatologists, you can follow a balanced skincare routine that keeps your skin healthy, glowing, and problem-free. If you live in Melbourne and want to start your skincare routine at a professional facial spa, you can schedule an appointment with our facial experts at Purify Skincare Clinic to find the best skin treatment.