Esthetician Education: Facial Techniques Used in Standard Facial Treatments

When you think of everything an esthetician can do, one of the most timeless treatments you may consider is a classic facial. While this may be one of the fundamentals of esthetician training, it has a lot of moving parts and should be learned correctly to achieve optimum benefits and results.

Spectrum Advanced Aesthetics in Oregon offers facial techniques training as part of our Standard Aesthetics Program certification, and we’d love to share some information about it with you here.

We’ll give an overview of basic facial techniques along with some of our more advanced options, and we’ll let you know how you can complete this program to become a licensed esthetician in the state of Oregon.

• General Facial Techniques Used in Each Part of a Classic Facial Treatment
• Additional Facial Techniques Often Used To Enhance a Classic Treatment
• Spectrum Advanced Aesthetics: Learn How To Perform the Most Common Facial Techniques in Our Entry-Level Esthetician Program

As part of our Standard Aesthetics Program at Spectrum Advanced Aesthetics, students learn a classic twelve-step facial massage technique. These can be divided into the following broad categories.

Cleansing Techniques

A good facial begins with a foundational cleansing to help remove any impurities, such as dirt and oil, from the skin. This creates a nice blank canvas for the rest of the treatment. 

After examining the client’s skin, the esthetician will dampen the skin with sponges,  select an appropriate gentle cleanser and massage it into the face using circular motions, paying special attention to the T-zone, which can be a problem area for some.

After the cleansing facial technique is complete, the cleanser is removed with sponges and water and lightly patted dry.

Steaming Techniques

A steam treatment is a fantastic step in a facial treatment because it not only feels luxurious but also helps soften hard sebum that could be clogging pores. This allows for both deeper cleansing and product penetration, making the process more successful.

The steamer angle is important during its application. It should be used long enough to be effective while keeping the client comfortable, and it should be far enough from the skin to not risk any burning.

Exfoliation Techniques

Exfoliation is a vital facial technique because it unclogs pores and removes dead skin cells, promoting the turnover of cells and revealing a glowing new layer underneath. Once again, it’s important to select an exfoliation technique that is most appropriate for the client and their skin type.

While there are physical exfoliants, such as scrubs containing sugar, coffee, or jojoba beads, these can be harsh — especially for those with sensitive skin. A trained esthetician may also select chemical or enzymatic exfoliants such as:

• Alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) – Including glycolic and lactic acids
• Beta hydroxy acids (BHAs) – Including salicylic and tropic acids
• Fruit enzymes – Including papaya and pineapple 

These types of exfoliants not only get rid of layers of dead skin cells, but they may also improve the skin’s appearance by improving overall texture and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Massage Techniques

It’s time for what many consider the best part of a facial, the massage!

Not only is facial massage extremely relaxing, but it also provides other health and beauty benefits such as:

• Encouraging lymphatic drainage
• Boosting circulation
• Targeting aging issues, like skin firmness and texture
• Releasing facial tension that can lead to fine lines and wrinkles

Spectrum Advanced Aesthetics trains its estheticians in the best facial massage techniques as part of our entry-level esthetician program. It’s important to know how to give a facial correctly to help clients enjoy maximum rewards from the process. 

If you have a passion for skincare and esthetics, you can get in touch with us today to join our growing list of successful graduates.

Moisturizing Techniques

The final steps in your facial technique should include skin repair serums and fully moisturizing the skin. This involves applying a serum to address specific skin issues, such as aging, acne, or pigmentation, followed by a lotion or cream — preferably one that provides sun protection. 

These products should be applied in gentle, upward strokes to encourage the lifting and tightening of the skin.

The Standard Aesthetics Program at Spectrum Advanced Aesthetics will also teach you how to include enhancements during a facial that will elevate the basic experience. Here are some of our most popular options.

Jade Rolling

Jade rolling uses a small face roller made from gemstone that gently massages the face while stimulating the lymphatic system. Not only does this treatment feel pampering — especially when the roller has been refrigerated — but it also provides several benefits, such as:

• Easing tension
• Lowering cortisol levels
• Decreasing puffiness
• Stimulating blood flow

All of these effects can work together to really make the skin glow.

Gua Sha

Gua sha is often used in conjunction with jade rolling to enhance facial massage techniques. This traditional Chinese healing method involves stroking the skin with a stone-like massage tool. 

Studies have shown that gua sha increases blood circulation and lymphatic flow, which can improve the appearance of the skin.

Masks

Facial techniques using sheet masks or hydro-jelly masks involve mixing a powder that turns into a gel. This gel then hardens on the skin and is peeled off after it fully dries.

Depending on a client’s particular issues, estheticians may use ingredients to help with:

• Inflammation
• Pigmentation problems
• Calming the skin after exfoliation
• And more

Hot Towel Wrapping

Wrapping hot, moist towels around different parts of the body during a facial feels amazing, but it also benefits the skin. Estheticians may perform hot towel wrapping on the face or different limbs to encourage lymphatic draining.

These facial techniques may also:

• Reduce sinus pressure
• Ease soreness and joint pain
• Remove facial skincare products, such as an exfoliating scrub or a mask; and
• Encourage relaxation

Other Facial Techniques

Spectrum Advanced Aesthetics also trains our estheticians in facial techniques, such as microcurrent, ultrasonic spatula, and microdermabrasion.

And as part of our training program, we offer services to the public to allow our estheticians to hone and perfect their craft.

These include basic facials such as:

• Custom facials
• Microdermabrasion facials
• Dermaplaning facials

We also offer these deluxe facials:

• Nano facials
• Oxygeneo facials
• Glo2Facial®
• Chemical peels
• Hydrafacial®

If you want to learn facial massage techniques for estheticians, contact Spectrum Advanced Aesthetics today to enroll in our Standard Aesthetics Program. You can earn your license in as little as 12 weeks — and our program exceeds Oregon state requirements, offering more options for equipment than any other esthetics school in the state.

This program is intentionally designed to integrate with the Advanced Aesthetics Program for seamless quality education, but it may also be taken as a stand-alone certification. Get started on the path to an exciting new career with Spectrum Advanced Aesthetics.

‍