In our March issue we shared the thought that a facial is a bit like going to the gym… for your face. First you work your muscles (ElmLine Anti-Aging Facial with Compu-Lift), then you tone up by putting the collagen back into your skin (with an ElmLine DNA facial).

For those of you who haven’t been paying attention to your skin, we ask the question: Are you a grape a rose or a raisin? Leave a grape for two months, it wrinkles, withers and dehydrates. Voila, we have a raisin. A fresh rose has good colour, suppleness and delicacy, but over time – the natural life cycle that nothing escapes – the rose fades and wrinkles, and sadly, once dehydrated, the petals fall off.

You may have noticed that people who live in mild and humid climates have wonderful complexions. There’s a reason for that! Plenty of sun, moisture, warmth and fresh air are all good for the skin. But here, in Canada, with the exception of avid skiers and snowboarders, many of us spend 90% of our day indoors in the winter, with dry heat.

But our skin craves moisture, which we get through humidity and mild temperatures, so the Canadian winter can be particularly hard on the complexion (the raisin and faded rose part of our story). Even when we are outside we contend with cold weather, wind and dry conditions, which are hard on the complexion, and to top it all off, we don’t get enough of the revitalizing benefits of the sun, which includes vitamin D.

People with acne experience more breakouts because bacterium grows on oily, alkaline skin, which causes infections, pimples and breakouts. This can also lead to scarring. The skin should have a balanced PH level; enough acid mantle on the skin is very important because acidity protects the skin from bacteria.

People who have dehydrated skin are prone to dry out even more. In fact, whatever skin condition you have will deteriorate during these cold months. And, as the seasons change, more or different problems occur for the delicate skin on your face as it struggles along without sufficient vitamin D, fresh, mild air and balanced humidity.

Even spring can be hard on the complexion. Even though the weather is getting nicer the change in temperature can be a shock and all the problems that were accumulated over the fall and winter come to a head. The skin can become inflamed and conditions such as eczema and rosacea can be aggravated.

In summer, too much sun tan oil on the face clogs the pores, negatively affecting the condition of the skin, and this builds until fall. In the fall many people experience pigmentation problems from too much sun over the summer. Pigmentation problems can also be exacerbated by various medications.

A good skin care regimen and regular facials will help balance the skin according to the seasons, to prevent problem skin, eczema, rosacea, and delay or minimize all the visible signs of aging. Facials throughout the year condition, refresh, moisturize and protect your skin, creating a fresh, radiant complexion, and makes you feel fresh and energized.

For those of you who are serious about building a skincare regimen, we’re looking ahead to April and May. This is where the Beauté Neuve facial may be just the thing for you. As part of a planned, annual skincare regimen Beauté Neuve provides the radiant glow that will help you put your best face forward.

If you’ve never focused on your face and suspect that it’s about time that you do, here’s what we suggest: Start with an ElmLine Essential Facial and get to know one of our aestheticians – a Spa Care Expert who can advise you and recommend products suited to your skin type – and help you establish good habits that set the foundation for beautiful skin. Then your aesthetician will design an annual regimen.

Depending on your age, skin type and needs, she may indeed recommend the ElmLine Anti-Aging Facial with Compu-Lift, followed by the ElmLine DNA Facial, followed by the Beauté Neuve Facial, each luxurious and offering unique benefits.

For skin treatments (facials) to work, four things need to happen

blood circulation needs to be stimulated
muscles and collagen producers need to be stimulated
skin needs to be oxygenated and hydrated
nutrients essential to the production of elastin and collagen need to be infused into the skin

Elmwood spa facials are more than ‘just’ beauty treatments. Each Elmwood facial has been designed to support the skin’s natural functions to promote regeneration, stimulate repair and restore balance levels.