The Dermalogica Skincare Tip You Won’t Want to Miss

[My Dermalogica face mapping and prescription, post-facial]

I recently got a facial at Dermalogica Academy,  a terrific school and treatment facility located in the Chelsea neighborhood of NYC, and had to share a bit about the experience, as I not only received a superb treatment, but also a prescription, and tips to extend a great complexion beyond the facial.

First, at Dermalogica Academy, extractions during a facial  do not hurt and are are non-scarring. The technique that students learn is not the traditional push and squeeze method that we all do at home in front of the mirror, but rather a side-to-side wiggle. I asked my skin expert, Susan, how and why it is done that way, and essentially, the rationale behind it is to first lift the entire pore, and then to gently nudge out all of stuff in the blackhead or whitehead, or zit instead of just pinching out the top half of it, and then leaving it open to get bacteria inside.

Dermalogica also used a formula that opens up the pores, making this whole process easier, and then afterward, another product to seal the problem areas’ pores. Instead of going at a pimple with the tips of your fingers next time, try to start outward and raise up the area, creating a plateau, and then with the sides of your fingers, move slightly back and forth to nudge it out. Pretty easy, and non-damaging to the skin, as you won’t damage anywhere else on yoru face with the force of your fingernails.

Second, when the facial is complete, I received a face mapping chart and prescription (see above) which charts on my face where I have stuff going on and should treat accordingly (for me it’s pigmentation (I should use a higher SPF on my face), breakouts, and comedones (blackheads and whiteheads)).  I also can purchase the Dermalogica products selected specifically for my skin concerns, which is invaluable, since the person recommending products just spent the better part of the past hour examining and treating my skin! And the best part?

-Julia DiNardo

P.S.- One of Dermalogica’s top products (and my favorites), the Microfoliant, is celebrating it’s 10th anniversary; follow @Dermalogica on Twitter or head to the website to learn how to win a year’s supply of them!