Table of Contents
Is there a difference between a spa facial and a medical grade facial? That question comes up all the time, and you might be surprised by the answer. In Singapore, both types of facial treatments seem quite similar, but a medical grade facial is able to address specific problems and conditions such as acne, blackheads, oily skin and pigmentation much more effectively. There are also certain steps, equipment and ingredients in a medical grade facial that you won't find in regular spa facials.
But what exactly are the distinguishing differences between a spa facial and a medical grade facial? In this article, we find out.
What is the purpose of a facial?
Before we dive into the differences between a spa facial and a medical grade facial, let’s first explore the purpose of a facial: is it even necessary to get one?
Think of facials as exercise routines for your skin to keep it healthy and in good shape. Your face is constantly exposed to external environmental factors that age your skin, including sunlight, dust, and pollution [1]. Environmental factors can damage the skin and cause skin conditions such as sun damage and bacteria build-up. The excessive production of sebum from sebaceous glands can cause acne breakouts.
Facials can stimulate the skin's renewal mechanisms and resurface its texture. In addition to keeping the skin texture youthful, hydrated, and clear, they reduce inflammation and also even out the skin tone.
The benefits of a facial, however, come from the quality of the ingredients, the penetration of the ingredients, and the stimulation of cell turnover and your skin's collagen renewal. Additionally, facials can improve acne, scarring, and signs of aging, as well as reduce post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
Spa Facials vs Medical Grade Facials: Which is Effective?
Medical-Grade Facials
Medical grade facials or medi facials are skin treatments that are designed to effectively target skin conditions using medical grade ingredients and equipment. Due to their ability to penetrate below the epidermis, or the top layer of the skin, medi facials can encourage healthy skin that naturally regenerates [2]. Several of the ingredients and steps used in these facials are also only allowed in clinical settings. This allows access to skincare ingredients with more powerful concentrations for deeper penetration.
It exfoliates and removes dead skin cells, sebum deposits, hydrates and nourishes the skin with medical-grade ingredients. More importantly, medical grade facials work at a cellular level due to its ability to penetrate below the epidermis.
This type of facial delivers longer-lasting results than conventional ones in spas or beauty salons, and is customized for individual skin types.
Spa Facials
Spa facials are a multi-stage skin-beautifying treatment that is also a relaxing and enjoyable experience.
Also referred to as a salon facial, the purpose of this treatment is usually more for relaxation rather than addressing skin problems. Botanical extracts such as ginkgo biloba, silymarin, ginseng, soy, and green tea are ingredients that are commonly used in these facial treatments [3].
Spa facials are designed to make you feel pampered and relaxed, so the ingredients used in them have a very superficial effect on the skin. Therefore, the results are not very pronounced nor do they last very long. Usually, spa and salon facials are performed by beauticians and skin therapists, many of whom may be unfamiliar with the complexities of specialized skin treatments.
What Makes Medical Grade Facials Different?
Getting pampered and feeling relaxed is always great, however, medical grade facials may provide optimal results if you're looking for effective, targeted solutions to address specific skin conditions.
Here are some reasons why you should get a medi facial:
1. Beyond the Surface
With Medi facials, we treat the skin by restoring and rejuvenating its health from the inside out. Medi facials not only unclog pores but also encourage skin recovery from the cellular level.
Medical grade facials such as the Ensoul Signature Acne Medi Facial, can stimulate collagen production, improve circulation and boost cell regeneration, exfoliate, reduce acne-causing bacteria and prevent future breakouts, while improving the appearance and health of the skin.
Because medic facials work at the cellular level, it accounts for your skin’s shedding and regeneration cycles. You’ll notice that the results are more significant and long-lasting.
2. Medical Grade Products
Traditional spa facials contain ingredients typically made of perfumes and oils that are intended to provide relaxation. Some of these ingredients are actually unnecessary irritants. Medical facials combine high-quality skincare ingredients with medical-grade machines to effectively treat acne scarring, blemishes, and acne.
Medical facials are performed by a medically trained aesthetician who understands the skin and is trained in advanced medical-grade skincare and equipment and works with your doctor to facilitate a treatment plan.
3. Cleanliness and Safety
When visiting a medical facility, your treatments are handled by medical professionals – doctors and medically trained aestheticians. It is required of these professionals to follow certain standards in their medical practice. This is because medical facilities are regulated tightly in Singapore to uphold a high level of patient safety.
Doctors also overlook medi facials, and medical aestheticians are required to follow certain protocols to guarantee optimal safety and results.
4. Targeted Treatment for Specific Skin Concerns
Spa facials are not really effective for some skin concerns such as acne, enlarged pores, fine lines, pigmentation, melasma, and scarring. Conditions such as these require more targeted treatment solutions.
Medi facials are specifically tailored and can be used in combination with other medical treatments such as Radiofrequency Microneedling, an energy-based treatment used to stimulate the production of collagen to treat acne, scarring as well as enlarged pores, to increase the rate of repair, giving you healthier looking skin more efficiently.
Medical-grade Facial | Spa Facial |
|---|---|
Medical grade ingredients, concentrations, and equipment | Cosmetic skincare products with lower concentration |
Targeted solutions to treat skin conditions | Focused on providing a relaxing experience for client |
Customized treatment based on skin conditions | Same treatment protocol for all skin types |
Able to target the deeper layers of the skin to stimulate cell recovery from the inside out | Able to provide cleansing for the superficial layer of the skin |
Medically trained therapists | Only basic aesthetic training required |
Key Takeaways
When choosing a facial treatment, it all comes down to your needs at the end of the day. If you’re more interested in investing in lasting, cellular changes for your skin over temporary comfort, a medical grade facial would be the preferable option. With the ability to penetrate deeper into the skin and beneficial medical grade ingredients that spas and beauty salons do not have access to, a medi facial can be tailored to provide more targeted results.
Speak to us today to find out more.