Function vs. Form: Understanding Facial & Skincare Expectations

Skincare and esthetics have honestly always been part of our culture. I’m sure most of us have heard at least one home remedy growing up. Maybe it was toothpaste on a pimple, cucumber slices on the eyes, or some “secret anti-aging technique” your grandma swore by.

Taking care of our skin and seeking anti-aging treatments isn’t new. What is new is how overwhelming it’s become.

Between social media, influencers, celebrities, brands, medical professionals who double as influencers, and just about every other expert out there, our feeds are constantly filled with the “best” or “must have” product and treatment that promise the ultimate results.

And while there are a lot of great products and treatments available, it can also feel like…a lot.

So with this post, I wanted to hopefully clear things up a little and give some honest info about what you can actually expect from facials and skincare.

The simplest way I explain it is function vs form. It helps you know what to expect and what’s actually realistic.

Skin Function

Facials and skincare primarily support the function of the skin.

What does that actually mean?!

It means choosing the rights products and treatments for your skin type and concerns so that the skin can perform the way its meant to.

Things like:

• Using pH-balanced products

• Receiving professional exfoliation and routine at home exfoliation

• Introducing retinoids

• Maintaining a consistent SPF routine

• Keeping skin hydrated

• Using protective antioxidants

All of these support healthy skin function. Let me give you some examples:

- Hydration helps the skin look plump and smooth by reducing the appearance of fine lines that come from dehydration.

- Retinoids helps stimulate collagen and elastin production over time.

-Antioxidants help defend the skin from environmental damage that can break down collagen.

-Peptides can support communication within the skin and offer a variety of benefits depending on the peptide (there’s so many of them, all with different properties)

Remember, none of this is going to keep us looking forever 21. But all together, it helps your skin stay healthy, balanced, and resilient as we age. And honestly? That is where facials and skincare really shine.

Skin Concerns That Skincare can Help

Another helpful way to think about skin function is by looking at common skin conditions.

Things like:

• Dehydration

• Dryness

• Sensitivity

• Breakouts or congestion

• Uneven pigmentation

• Dullness

These are all conditions that can be influenced by a lot of different factors-genetics, environment, stress, hormones, diet and lifestyle. The good news is that these are exactly the types of concerns that facials and skincare can support.

With the right treatment and home care routine, we can often improve these conditions by;

• strengthening the skin barrier

• Improving hydration

• Encouraging healthy cell turnover

• Calming inflammation

Facials and consistent at home skincare can make a noticeable difference in how the skin looks, feel and you guessed it, functions over time.

Skin Form

Where it often gets tricky and sometimes disappointing is when concerns shift from maintaining healthy skin to wanting to change its structure. That’s usually when clients say things like;

-“I have jowls, does gua sha help?”

- “My eyelids are sagging, what can you do about it?”

-“I want my entire face lifted, what serum fixes that?”

These concerns are about structure/form and how tissue, muscle, fat, and bone are positioned and have changed as time goes on. My point is, if you have these concerns and it’s really important for you to address, don’t put the expectations on a facial and skincare. This is something that exceeds those and needs to be consulted with doctors.

Lastly, im not advising anyone to seek plastic surgery! I’m just saying don’t expect your esthetician to lift your jowls and then be totally upset that this one facial and weeks worth of dedicated skincare didn’t solve it. We must be realistic. And honestly, even celebrities with all the money, best products and access to surgery still age! So give your skin credit for what it can do and skip the disappointment.

Remember, facials and skincare absolutely have a place in your routine. We just have to be honest about what to expect.

If you’re ready to build the right skincare routine for your skin, I’d love to welcome you into my studio. Don’t forget to book your facial, apply that SPF and continue enjoying my blog.

Bye.