Walking into the New York City Dermalogica skin spa is a little like walking onto the set of 2001: A Space Odyssey. Everything is spotless! The white walls look as though they were painted the night before, the glass is nearly invisible and behind the floating “skinbar” there is an enormous white egg-shaped structure called the “skinpod.” The products are displayed in perfect straight lines as though they are soldiers prepared to battle those awful wrinkles, scars and evil spots. The clean, minimal and modern design of the space shows that Dermalogica as a brand is very serious, no frills here.
Today I have come for a skin treatment facial. I have just turned 30 and it is time to take a closer look at my skin. I immediately feel like I am in good hands as the lovely skin therapist approaches me. She escorts me to the “skinpod” and offers a crisp cotton robe. As I take in my surroundings I begin to think that I am in a spacecraft that will soon transport me to a new and far away land. The chromotherapy light is casting a glow that seems to be permeating through my body.
I am brought back to reality when the therapist returns and asks what my music preference is. Jazz, Reggae, Classical, New Age, or Rock? I surprise myself by choosing New Age. I have never chosen New Age, but it seemed the best fit for the occasion in my very own spacecraft. My trip… I mean my facial begins:
The therapist takes a very close look at my skin under a bright light. She asks questions about my concerns and simply states her observations as she examines each part of my face, ears, neck and chest. She explains to me that the skin on my face has 14 unique zones. The product that I use on my forehead may be too harsh for my cheeks resulting in their sensitivity. The mild face cleanser that I have been using is not strong enough for my chin and nose. My poor under eyes have not been receiving the moisture they deserve. She has now completed my zone-by-zone Face Mapping.
Through her analysis, my therapist has chosen a variety of products to use during my treatment including a pre cleanser and cleanser, exfoliant, masque, toner and moisturizer. She is so gentle that I actually fall asleep at one point. In an hour I step fresh-faced out of my pod. My skin feels so smooth and clean and clear!
I sit down at the “skinbar” and as I sip on tea. my therapist presents me with my face map and a list of products that would address my skin concerns. The face map and all the products frighten me at first. It looks complicated. I do want healthy skin, I really do… but it is just not realistic for me to spend more than 3 minutes a day on my face. “No problem” she says to me. Together we come up with a reasonable daily routine that will take no longer than 3 minutes a day!
I leave with samples of each of the products that we have chosen knowing that it will not be long before I return.
3 weeks later: WOW! I love my daily skincare routine. I use the Pre Cleanse before bed and the Ultra Calming Cleanser morning and night followed by the Multi-Active Toner and Skin Smoothing Cream. Every other day I use the Daily Resurfacer and twice a week the Multi-Vitamin Power Recovery Masque.
If you happen to be lucky enough to live in an area with a Dermalogica store I highly recommend sitting down with a specially trained Dermalogica Skin Therapist to get your very own face mapping skin analysis… this service is FREE, Beauty Bunnies! You can also get your own customized face map by visiting www.dermalogica.com.
