It’s never too early to start taking care of your skin. In fact, the sooner you start the better. Once your skin sustains damage and begins to show the visible signs of aging, it can be difficult to restore it to its youthful radiance.
Regular facials are a staple in any skincare regimen. While at-home skincare is important, spa facials deliver access to professional-grade products as well as expert skincare advice. Spa facials can be customized to your skin type and your individual skincare concerns. Facials may even vary depending on your age, especially for teens versus adults.
Here’s what you need to know about teen facials and how they differ from adult facials.
How is Teenage Skin Different?
From the moment you’re born, your skin goes through an endless cycle of renewal. In childhood and adolescence, your skin cells shed themselves and regenerate very rapidly – this accounts for its youthful glow and supple texture. Once you hit puberty, however, the skin goes through certain changes. The cycle of renewal starts to slow down and your skin sheds with less frequency which causes it to become tougher and less susceptible to bruising and minor damage.
In your teenage years, your skin has plenty of collagen on hand which is what gives young skin its smoothness and elasticity. As you get older, collagen production slows and your skin starts to lose its bounce-back quality, succumbing to fine lines and wrinkles. Changing hormone levels yield new and unpleasant skin changes as well such as increased perspiration, excess oil production, and breakouts.
Here are some of the most common skin concerns among teenagers:
- Acne – The most common skin condition in teens, acne develops when the pores become clogged with oil, dirt, and dead skin cells. Changing hormones can trigger certain types of acne by changing the skin’s oil production.
- Eczema – The term eczema is used as an umbrella term of rashes, swelling, itching, and irritation of the skin – it is also known as dermatitis. There’s no single cause for eczema, though it is often related to genetics and environmental factors.
- Dandruff – Dry, flaky skin on the scalp is known as dandruff and the underlying cause is unknown. This condition can generally be treated with medicated shampoos, hydrocortisone cream, or (in severe cases) prescription oral steroids.
- Cold Sores – Caused by the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), cold sores are small blisters that appear around or inside the mouth. Most people are exposed to the virus as children but may develop flare-ups in adolescence due to changing hormone levels.
- Excessive Sweating – Hyperhidrosis, or excessive sweating, is sweating that happens when the body isn’t overheated. This condition often has a hereditary component, though it can also be related to diabetes, thyroid issues, low blood sugar, and nervous system disorders.
- Sunburn – Though not exclusively a teenage skin concern, sunburn is a considerable risk for teens who participate in outdoor athletics. Having serious sunburns in youth or adolescence can greatly increase the risk for skin cancer down the line.
Many of the above issues can be managed with over-the-counter treatments or medical therapies, but some require ongoing treatment. Regular facials can help teens manage chronic skin conditions like eczema and acne better than spot treatments alone. Professional facials are also an excellent opportunity for teens to learn about their skin and how best to care for it.
The Benefits of Facials for Teens
Any professional facial begins with a skin analysis to assess the skin’s type, tone, and texture and to identify any ongoing skin conditions. A professional esthetician is trained not only to identify skin concerns but to educate the individual about their skin and how to address existing concerns. The highlight of any spa facial, of course, is the treatment itself which is catered to the individual’s needs.
Here are some of the benefits of facials specifically for teens:
- A professional esthetician can help teens determine their skin type and educate them about the unique needs of their skin.
- Spa facials are an opportunity for teens to learn healthy skincare habits they can build on for the rest of their lives.
- Professional estheticians have access to professional strength products that can help with stubborn acne and other ongoing skin conditions.
- Regular extractions in spa facials can help teens resist the temptation to pop or pick at pimples, decreasing the risk for acne scarring.
- By improving the health and appearance of their skin, teen facials can help improve self-esteem, especially in teens who struggle with acne.
The teenage years are rough. Between growth spurts and fluctuating hormones, many teens feel trapped in an ever-changing body that they don’t recognize from one day to the next. Regular skincare – a combination of professional facials and an at-home routine – can lead to clearer skin which gives teens one less thing to worry about as they progress from adolescence into adulthood.
How Do They Differ from Adult Facials?
A teen facial isn’t significantly different from an adult facial – the primary difference is that treatment is customized to the teenager’s skin concerns. The facial will begin with a conversation about the teen’s skincare routine and any current skin treatments – the esthetician may also ask if the teen has any concerns about their skin. From there, the esthetician will perform a skin analysis to identify the skin type and assess any specific skin problems.
After the skin analysis, the esthetician will cleanse the skin and perform gentle exfoliation to help loosen the dead cells on the surface of the skin. Like most adult facials, steam may be used to open the pores and soften the skin in preparation for extractions. Extractions are essential in any teen facial because they are the most likely to yield an immediate and visible improvement.
Following the extractions, the remainder of the facial will be catered to the teen’s unique skin concerns. For dry skin, a hydrating mask may be applied or, for oily skin, a clay mask. Teen facials may involve multiple masks, serums, and spot treatments depending on the skin’s condition. Like most facials, the treatment will conclude with moisturization and SPF protection.
Tips for Including Teen Facials in Your Spa Menu
While the treatment itself is the most important aspect of any spa facial, education plays a key component in teen facials. The esthetician should be prepared to spend a little longer during intake discussing the teen’s skin concerns and educating them about their skin time. At the conclusion of the treatment, the esthetician should talk to the teen about at-home skincare and make specific product recommendations based on the teen’s skin concerns.
Here are some additional tips for including teen facials in your spa menu:
- Offer teen facial packages – teens struggling with acne and other chronic skin issues can benefit from weekly or twice-monthly facials.
- Promote your teen facials in correlation with the school year – offer specials in time for Homecoming and Prom.
- Include a specialized teen facial in your spa menu that focuses on clearing the pores, balancing oil production, and promoting skin cell renewal.
- Offer hand and foot treatments as add-ons (or include them) in your teen facials to slowly introduce them to body work.
- Consider offering an express teen facial on your menu that focuses on exfoliation and extractions – it should be priced appropriately for teens as well.
Skincare is not a luxury but a healthy habit that should be developed as early as possible. While teens don’t have the same skin concerns as adults, starting a health skincare routine in adolescence can help keep the skin looking young and radiant well into adulthood. If you’re looking for a way to expand your business and your client base, consider catering some of your treatments specifically to teenagers.