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Tuesday, December 8, 2009

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Clarin's researcher says facials may be bad for your skin

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Last week I posted some excerpts from a rather long press release announcing Clarins's latest creation, Younger Longer Balm. Naturally, I'm a big Clarins fan and I can't wait to get my hot little hands on this new number. But something in the release's Q&A between a member of the PR team (I assume) and Lionel De Benetti, Clarins Global Director of Research and Development, caught my attention. When asked what else customers could do to improve their skin (besides using the new product, obvs), part of his answer was this:

Schedule regular facial treatments for yourself that do not include the use of steam and extractions.

Please sir, can you spare an elaboration? I emailed Clarins publicist Megan Dennen and begged her to humor me by asking Lionel to explain why he personally does not recommend facials.

Well, you facial junkies out there ain't gonna like it, but here, straight from the horse's mouth:

Steam is very damaging to the skin if it is applied for a long time and at a high temperature. Lionel uses a steak to help explain this. If you think of a piece of meat when it is raw, it is very firm and has a nice pink texture. If you take that same piece of meat and then apply hot water to it, it starts to turn brown and break apart. The same thing happens to your skin. It weakens your skin and makes it more susceptible to damage and wrinkles. He also says not to do extractions because you are breaking apart the top layer of the skin. It can increase the size of the pore and cause scarring. It can also lead to further infections if there is any bacteria on the top of the skin.

You know, I never thought of it before, but my face does slightly resemble an overcooked chunk of filet mignon today! Heavens! Now, it's not like I've never heard the age-old duel that usually occurs between estheticians and derms before: Just like "tastes great," "less filling!" the argument for and against facials is a battle that wages on. (Not to mention the whole extraction controversy, but that's another post my friends.) Yes, the scientists have a point and all, but facialists have changed the lives of so many people I know!

What's your take? To steam, or not to steam?

--Erin

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From the Community…

Comments 11-20 of 22
  • ginac's Avatar
    Posted by ginac Sun Apr 20, 2008 5:57am PDT

    I highly disagree. I am also an esthetician and cannot believe this! Steam is a necessary part of a facial due to the fact that it helps open the pores for easy extractions. ( while I DO agree that some skin therapists get carried away with extractions, they are Sometimes indicated.) Extractions of comodones (blackheads) are the only way to release the oxidized, trapped bacteria. Otherwise they can harden and become impossible to get out- even with steam.

    The meat analogy is ridiculous- meat is MUSCLE not the same as your skin surface! Yea, scarring and bacteria will occur if the extractions are not done properly.

    I've got news for product fiend", clarins is CRAP for your skin. Have you ever researched the ingredients in their products? If not, check out environmental working groups site- they are scientists that have done studies on skincare products.

    www.exg.org/skindeep

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  • greatneck's Avatar
    Posted by greatneck Sun Apr 20, 2008 7:24am PDT

    HEY!!!!!!!!YOA!!!!!!! I get facials every week. Right now, getting my sixth microbrasion, series...Live in Florida, so lots of sun... Swear by them, steam, in small doses. Find people, Men & Women, looking very close to my face.. Trying to figure, does she get injections, and etc? Does hep give the youthful appearance...Thank you estheticians, everywhere!!!

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  • Bibi's Avatar
    Posted by Bibi Mon Apr 21, 2008 9:14am PDT

    As an Esthetician, I agree with the other colleagues. Steaming in moderation at 18 or 25 inches away with the ozone is one of the fastest ways to extract blackheads and whiteheads. It conditions the skin and also releases trapped impurities. Extractions when done correctly, does not mark nor scar the skin. Leaving the blackhead in stretches out the pores leaving "craters" and indentations in the skin. Not pretty...

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  • Kathy's Avatar
    Posted by Kathy Tue Apr 22, 2008 12:30pm PDT

    You would never need to steam, go to a dermatologist, or any drastic costly measures if you use Arbonne's anti-aging products. I use them and people always think I am 15 to 20 years younger than I am. I promise you they work if you use them!!

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  • Nancy's Avatar
    Posted by Nancy Wed Apr 23, 2008 7:03am PDT

    I believe that steaming and extractions can be useful. My daughter has been on a new skincare line for acne that cleared her up very nicely. There remained one stubborn blackhead...so off to the esthetician for that one. She looks perfect now. I was so impressed with this product that I started using their products for aging and brown spots..I am very happy with the results. Good skin care is now a priority. I wish they had this stuff when I was younger, then my skin would not have been so damaged. Take care of that face!

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  • Jules's Avatar
    Posted by Jules Sat Apr 26, 2008 7:13am PDT

    Well...I'm glad about the no extractions! That hurts anyway!

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  • Sophie Glutz's Avatar
    Posted by Sophie Glutz Sat May 3, 2008 7:58pm PDT

    I had a facial years ago and the pain involved with the extractions made it one of the most stressful beauty treatments I ever endured. Time went by and I decided that maybe it was just an isolated experience and that the pratitioner was just poorly trained. I subjected myself to it again and it was just as horribly painful as the first time so no more. My face looked awful afterwards. And it didn't feel fresh or clean - just beaten and abused. How can that be good for your skin? I'll live with a few blackheads, thank you very much. I'm not paying someone $80 to inflict pain with no visible improvement in my skin.

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  • Sophie Glutz's Avatar
    Posted by Sophie Glutz Sat May 3, 2008 8:00pm PDT

    Oh, and before the grammar police pull me over, I spelled "practitioner" incorrectly. Sorry about that.

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  • sierra alexis.'s Avatar
    Posted by sierra alexis. Thu May 8, 2008 11:31am PDT

    i used to get them a couple times and every time i did, they would end up burning my skin. it may have been because it was jsut my skin type but im pretty sure that it was jsut too much for the skin its-self.

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  • Kea's Avatar
    Posted by Kea Fri Jun 6, 2008 9:56pm PDT

    I also do not agree, I am 39 years old and have been steaming my face often for the last 20 years! I am always told that I look 10 years younger than I am and although I attribute most of that to religously using sunscreen, I do believe that the steaming helps skin look better and stay youthful!

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Comments 11-20 of 22

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