Does your skin look dull and lifeless? Do you have problems with break-outs? Or perhaps, your skin is telling your age ... A facial is a good option for rejuvenating the skin without undergoing a surgical cosmetic procedure.

However, before you schedule you first appointment, make sure the plastic surgeon is certified and the staff involved in your treatment are thoroughly trained and experienced. Even though there are no scalpels or lasers involved, your skin can be damaged if the procedure is done incorrectly.

Once you have an appointment with a certified plastic surgeon, be aware that there are several different kinds of facial treatments that address different skin problems. The first thing your plastic surgeon and staff will do is evaluate your skin through a magnifier to determine the best approach to achieve the results you desire.

If you have normal skin with no serious acne or other skin problems, a basic facial is best. This procedure consists of a steam to clean and open pores, a cleanser and a gentle exfoliation to remove that top layer of dead skin. Extraction of clogged pores is also done. This part is not a lot of fun, but necessary.

The best part is the massage. This true spa experience makes it seem like an indulgence, but it is very important to good skin health. The massage gets the blood flowing, flushes out toxins and helps delay the on-set of wrinkles by relaxing the muscles. A mask designed for your specific skin type is applied and then moisturizers.

If you have a problem with acne and break-outs, your esthetician will give you facial specifically designed to treat acne. It is important to tell her about any medications you may be on for acne as oral or topical acne medication can cause adverse skin reactions to the exfoliation process. If there are no restrictions, she will cleanse the face to prepare it for a glycolic acid exfoliation.

Glycolic acid is a known acne-fighting treatment. It may hurt, but extraction is also part of the process. If your acne is too inflamed or severe, the esthetician should not perform this part of the procedure and will possibly recommend you see a dermatologist instead.

Skin calming lotion is applied and then a mask to clean out the impurities and acne-causing bacteria. It is recommended that treatment occur every two weeks until the acne is cleared up.

Another common type is the anti-aging Alpha Hydroxy Acid facial. AHAs naturally exist in fruits and flowers. Believed to contain age defying properties, creams are made from the extracts of the fruits and flowers for this facial. The process is the same as a basic facial, it just uses these specially formulated creams to improve skin texture and shrink pores.

There are many other types of specialty procedures from the anti-oxidant, the collagen, the aromatherapy facial and many more. Check with the salon for their menu of services. But, whatever type you receive, you will enjoy better skin texture and a rosy glow.

To maintain this effect, it is recommended that you get a facial every couple of months, more often if being treated for acne, and follow your esthetician's skin care advice in between sessions. Drink lots of water and always wear sunscreen and moisturizer. If your skin looks healthy, you will look healthy and younger.

A Baltimore Botox, microdermabrasion, or spa facial can help erase fine lines and wrinkles on the face. At Cosmetic Surgery Center of Maryland, the board certified plastic surgeons combine artistry with state-of-the-art medical technology for beautiful results. http://www.drcohenplasticsurgery.com/