Your skin deserves more than just a quick cleanse and slathering of cream at home.
Professional cosmetic skin treatments can cleanse, moisturize and rejuvenate your skin much more deeply than your usual at-home routine. You'll know the difference immediately.
Beauty salons offer a plethora of treatments. From simple, affordable to high-tech treatments worthy of Hollywood stars. How do you know your way around them? And which ones really work?
Let's explore the world of beauty treatments from the most basic to the most luxurious. By the end, you'll know exactly what your skin needs.
Basic beauty treatments for everyone
Basic beauty treatments are the foundation of everything. These treatments are among the most affordable and important. Pay attention to them, even when more modern methods tempt you.
- Manual cleansing removes impurities that regular washing can't. The aesthetician uses a spatula to open the pores and then gently removes comedones and milia (whiteheads). This is followed by a soothing mask. The result? Skin breathes and looks fresh.
- Surface peels rid the skin of dead skin cells. Thus, peeling is the foundation of proper skin care for many reasons. Beauticians use enzyme peels or gentle mechanical peels with tiny particles. After them, the skin gets a more radiant tone and absorbs subsequent products better.
- Face masks are the finishing touch to a basic treatment. Depending on your skin type, your esthetician will apply a hydrating, nourishing or even detoxifying mask. Unlike homemade masks, they contain more concentrated active ingredients.
The price of the basic treatment ranges between 500-1500 CZK. You should go for such a treatment once every 4-6 weeks. You will see the results immediately, but they usually last for two weeks.
Intermediate treatments for better results
When the basic treatment is not enough, intermediate treatments come in. These work with skin problems in greater depth.
- Chemical peels penetrate deeper than mechanical peels. Beauticians use fruit acids in different concentrations (AHA, BHA). They address acne, unify skin tone and soften fine lines. After application you feel a slight tingling sensation. The skin gently peels off over the following days.
- Microdermabrasion works by mechanically abrading the top layer of skin using small crystals or a diamond attachment. Sound drastic? Don't worry, you won't feel any pain. This method smooths out the scars of acne and age spots.
- Oxygen therapy delivers oxygen to the skin along with vitamins and antioxidants. The treatment resembles a gentle massage, during which the aesthetician uses a special device to inject oxygen into the skin. The skin looks instantly fresher and more youthful.
- LED light therapy uses different wavelengths of light. Blue light kills acne-causing bacteria, red light stimulates collagen production. The procedure does not hurt, you just lie down under the light panel and relax.
The prices of these treatments range between 1000-3000 Kč. The optimal frequency depends on the specific treatment - some you can have every 2-3 weeks, others require more spacing.
Advanced treatments with visible results
These treatments reach deeper layers of the skin and deliver longer-lasting results. They often combine different technologies for maximum effect.
- Ultrasound treatments use sound waves to deep cleanse and stimulate collagen. Skin looks firmer and tighter after it. During the treatment, you feel only pleasant heat and gentle vibrations.
- Radiofrequency treatment using thermal energy firms the skin and stimulates collagen production. It works as a non-invasive lift. The aesthetician passes the head of the device over the skin, which heats the skin slightly. The results accumulate within a few sessions.
- Microcurrent therapy uses weak electric currents to strengthen facial muscles. It works a bit like facial fitness. The beautician applies electrodes to different parts of the face and neck. After the treatment, the face looks tighter and contours are more pronounced.
- IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) addresses pigment spots, dilated veins and helps rejuvenate the skin. Unlike a laser, it works with a wider spectrum of light.
Prices for advanced treatments start at 2000 and can go as high as 6000 per session. You usually need 3-8 sessions for visible results.
Luxury and high-tech beauty treatments
This category represents the cutting edge in non-invasive skin care. It uses the latest technology and delivers results comparable to some aesthetic procedures.
- Fractional laser creates microscopic channels in the skin that trigger healing processes. It addresses scars, deep wrinkles and uneven skin. The procedure is slightly painful, so numbing creams are often used. After treatment, there is a several-day recovery period - the skin is reddened and peels off.
- HIFU (high-intensity focused ultrasound) is a non-invasive alternative to lifting. Ultrasound waves target the depths of the skin where they stimulate collagen production. The result? Visible contour firming and smoothing of wrinkles. Feel the prickly heat during the treatment.
- Plasma treatment uses the fourth state of matter - plasma - to eliminate wrinkles, scars and other imperfections. The device creates small dots on the skin that heal and in doing so, shut down the surrounding tissue. After the procedure, the skin is left with scabs that fall off within a week.
- Biorevitalization enriches the skin with a concentrated cocktail of hyaluronic acid, vitamins and amino acids. The aesthetician applies this cocktail using a special device that creates microchannels in the skin without needles. The skin gets instant hydration and freshness.
Luxury treatments cost from 5000 Kč upwards, with some reaching even 15000 Kč per session. However, the results are long-lasting - they last for months and with repetition, even years.
Incremental treatments on the edge of cosmetics and medicine
These treatments are already on the border of cosmetics and aesthetic medicine. They are performed by doctors or specially trained staff.
- Botulinum toxin (known as Botox) temporarily blocks nerve impulses to muscles, smoothing out facial wrinkles. It is injected with a thin needle into specific facial muscles. The results last 3-6 months.
- Hyaluronic acid fillers add volume to the skin in places where it is lacking. Ideal for filling in wrinkles, enhancing lips or adding volume to cheekbones. They are applied using a needle or cannula. The effect lasts from 6 months to 2 years depending on the type of filler.
- PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) or "vampire facial" uses your own blood. The doctor takes a blood sample, skims off the platelet-rich plasma, and then applies it to the skin. The platelets release growth factors that stimulate regeneration. The procedure improves skin texture and s overall quality.
- Mesotherapy injections deliver vitamins, minerals and other active ingredients to the skin through a series of tiny injections. They improve hydration, texture and firmness of the skin. You feel mild pain, which is relieved by a numbing cream.
These treatments are among most expensive - prices start at £3,000 and can exceed £2,000 . However, they bring the most visible and fastest results.
Choose a customized treatment and your skin will blossom
The world of cosmetic treatments offers a solution for almost every problem. From basic maintenance to sophisticated rejuvenating treatments. It doesn't matter how old you are or what type of skin you have - professional care can work wonders.
Start with basic treatments and gradually explore more advanced methods to suit your skin's needs. Remember, even the most luxurious treatment needs a foundation in the form of quality daily care at home.
Regular professional care helps prevent problems and keeps skin in shape for the long term. Investing in professional care will pay you back in the form of healthy and glowing skin that doesn't need as much makeup.
So what are you waiting for? Call your esthetician and schedule a treatment just for you.
