Get Brand New Skin with a Fire & Ice Facial

Everyone wants to look their best, and maintaining your skin is a huge part of maintaining your overall appearance. Whether you have oily, dry, combination or acne prone skin, we all have our skin issues. Further exacerbating these issues is sun exposure and other environmental stresses that can cause wrinkles, fine lines, discoloration or a host of other problems. Sometimes just washing your face isn’t enough, which is why facials should be an essential part of your skincare routine.

Medical facials are a great way to maintain your skin. (Photo: i-smileclinics.com)

A facial is a great way to supplement your current skincare routine and take more care of your skin. Most spas offer facial treatments that are designed to clean and exfoliate the skin. This is a good option if you want to relax and be pampered while having your face cleansed. If you are looking for better results and fast fixes, however, a medical-grade facial may be a better option for you. Dermatologists and plastic surgeons often offer these kinds of facials, and have access to products and equipment that a regular spa would not. A medical-grade facial focuses on deep exfoliation to renew the surface of the skin and reveal a softer, brighter face.

Medical-grade facials are usually done in doctors’ offices rather than spas, but tend to be much more effective.
(Photo: thatbelfastgirl.com)

So is it really worth it to get a more intense medical facial? I went to a local establishment, the Center for Plastic Surgery, to find out. I visited the center’s Annandale location (they also have a location in Chevy Chase) for a medical-grade facial. I received the “fire and ice” treatment, which is designed to smooth the face, rid it of fine lines and wrinkles and make skin look more radiant. I have combination skin so I didn’t want anything that would dry me out too much or that used too many products and would make me oily, but the aesthetician assured me that this facial is great for all skin types.

This facial works by using an intense resurfacing mask followed by a cooling mask. Unlike a spa facial, this is meant for results, and the main goal is not relaxation. I was warned prior to the procedure that there may be a tingling effect and that sensitive skin may turn red for a little while after the treatment. First, the “fire” part of the facial is applied to your face. It is a mask containing glycolic acid and retinol that removes the top layer of the skin. This is left on for about five minutes. Then, after neutralizing the skin, the aesthetician applied the “ice,” a rejuvenating mask that cools and soothes your skin. After about 10 minutes, the cool mask was removed and several moisturizing serums were applied.

Overall, the treatment was quick and efficient. My skin immediately felt tighter and smoother. Despite the warnings that my skin would be red after the treatment, I didn’t notice any redness or irritation — which was surprising for me since I have extremely sensitive skin. I didn’t feel any discomfort and the treatment actuallyed turn out to be pretty relaxing.

For instant results, I recommend getting a medical-grade facial. The fire and ice facial is known by beauty professionals and celebrities for being super effective, and I see why. I felt a very noticeable difference in how my face feels and looks as soon as the treatment was done. The prices are on par with a spa facial, and the results speak for themselves. Treat yourself to a facial every few months to keep your skin glowing and beautiful!