Regular Facials Can Complement Good Skincare Habits

Smoother skin, smaller pores, better hydration—these are just a few of the many benefits facials claim to offer.

- Erica Sweeney

NEW YORK — And who is not relaxed after being horizontal for an hour while someone massages his or her face?

Glowing skin is a major and immediate benefit of getting a facial. But the perk tends to fade after a few days or weeks. And aestheticians will often say that if you want longer-term improvements, such as fewer wrinkles, less acne, or an even skin tone, you will need to get facials regularly.

Is that true? Three dermatologists weigh in.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS?

Facials come in many forms, said Dr. Susan Massick, a dermatologist at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.

Standard ones incorporate some type of deep cleansing, exfoliating, moisturizing, massaging, and sometimes "extraction," or squeezing the gunk out of your pores, she said. They are also often tailored to address specific skin issues such as acne, dullness, or discoloration, she added.