A few weeks ago, I was invited to try a facial at Ici Paris Spa. Overall, I had a lovely experience, and learned a ton about proper care for acne-prone skin. Be sure to check out the last section of this post, where I list some of the most interesting things I learned!
Disclaimer: This service was provided to me free of charge by Ici Paris Spa, for editorial consideration. All opinions in this post are my own.
{A Skincare Education: The Probiotic Acne Facial at Ici Paris Spa}
The Consultation
Skin consultations have always made me a bit nervous. As I’ve previously mentioned, I had horrible acne as a teen, and I have quite a few allergies that result in frequent skin irritation, so the idea of someone evaluating my skin makes me anxious. When I’ve had these facial consultations in the past, they’ve always felt a bit like a job interview: you’re answering questions, trying to present the best version of yourself (“Yes, I definitely drink 6 glasses of water every day….”), and hoping they don’t point out the negatives!
Gordana, the Spa Director, performed my consultation at Ici Paris. She was very kind and wasn’t overly critical; she read through the form I had filled out about my skin history, then used a magnifying glass to assess my skin, chatting with me about my concerns. A frank discussion of your skin’s challenges is necessary to select the best treatment for each person’s unique skincare needs, but, due to my own insecurities about my less-than-perfect skin, it’s definitely not my favourite part of a facial. That being said, Gordana’s professional manner and expertise made this as pleasant a consultation as I’ve ever experienced.
At the end of our meeting, Gordana recommended I try the Probiotic Acne Facial, given my skin’s history.
The Facial
Anita, my facialist, was gentle and accommodating. She did a fantastic job of the facial itself, and of answering my (many) questions. The room was comfortable and clean, and, by the end, I felt completely relaxed and refreshed.
My facial consisted of a few different classic elements:
- Cleansing
- Exfoliation
- Extraction/Oxygenation
- Massage
- Application of masks and toners
Since this was a facial specifically designed for acne-prone skin, the focus of each of the products was clearing skin congestion and revitalizing dull and stressed cells. Many of the lotions and toners therefore included glycolic acid in order to remove bacteria and other obstructions. The products were strong enough that I felt them working, but not painful or irritating, and I experienced no allergic reaction afterwards. (Yay!)
After the standard steaming and extractions, Anita fired up the High-Frequency Wand. This tool looks a bit like an electric toothbrush with a glowing suction cup on the end instead of bristles. It works by using pulses of low-grade electricity to oxygenate the skin and kill acne-causing bacteria, which is why it’s so useful after your pores have already been opened from the earlier elements of the facial. Despite my reservations, the wand didn’t hurt at all! It just felt like getting a small static shock.
Following the high-frequency treatment, Anita applied a cooling mask to my skin, and gave me a heavenly scalp and shoulder massage. She then removed the mask with a warm washcloth, and I was ready to rejoin the world, cleansed and refreshed!
The Education
One of the best parts about my experience at Ici Paris was the fact that everyone was so knowledgeable. And, working at spa with over 40 years in the business, how could they not be? Here are some of the most interesting things I learned:
- There is no real cure for rosacea (redness), but you can try to eliminate or reduce your exposure to some of its triggers: stress, temperature differences, red wine, and spicy food.
- If you find it challenging to remember how many glasses of water you’ve had during the day, try a more regular schedule. Drink one glass when you wake up in the morning, one before and after each meal, and then one just before you go to sleep.
- Speaking of sleep, make sure you get enough of it! During the day, your skin is constantly adjusting to changes in pollution, humidity, allergens, toxins, and temperature as you move through your daily routine; nighttime is when your skin can relax and recover from the day’s stresses.
- Adult acne tends to be on the jawline, so it’s a good idea to focus on that area when applying acne-fighting products.
- A raisin-sized amount of product is enough to use on your whole face (and neck!). Applying too much of a product can lower its effectiveness and clog your pores.
Since getting a facial can feel vulnerable, I was glad to know that I was in experienced (and well-reviewed – they received the Top Choice Award for Best Beauty Spa in Toronto for 2018!) hands at Ici Paris Spa. Treatments there are fairly pricey, so I wouldn’t recommend it as a first stop for someone on a tight budget, but it is a fantastic option for someone who wants to give their skin some pampering and learn a lot on the way.
Ici Paris Spa can be found at 370 Danforth Avenue, where they offer a wide variety of aesthetic services and treatments. Facials range from $80 – $175.
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