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A facial, chemical peel, or microdermabrasion do not necessarily lead to even-toned, acne-free skin. Sometimes these treatments can have the reverse affect you are looking for.

Think of it this way — you may be cleansing your pores and stripping your skin of dead skin cells, but your bringing the bacteria and oils from deep in your skin to the surface. You’re also applying chemicals and other solutions that may aggravate your skin in some ways causing redness and inflammation. Often after receiving a spa treatment you’ll notice redness, peeling, and even an acne breakout.

So you’re probably asking … what’s the point of spending the money and the time on these spa treatments if it’s only going to make my skin worse?

Because of the long-term results of these treatments. Most estheticians and dermatologists recommend you get a series of treatments for optimum results. With repeated treatments your skin becomes accustomed (in a sense) to the treatment, and the end result is much more pronounced.

That’s not to say that every spa treatment is for every skin type. That’s just plain false.

For example, if you have melasma or acne, then microdermabrasion is an awful way to treat your skin. However, the right chemical peel could work wonders.

Take your skin fitness in your own hands. Research your skin conditions online, find an esthetician you trust, and always ask a lot of questions before you pay for any spa treatment.

If the results after receiving the spa treatment are not what you hoped for, tell your esthetician. She (or he) may be able to modify your skin care regiment for optimum skin fitness.

Find an esthetician in your area with SpaFinder.com’s easy to use spa and esthetician locator.

I don’t know about you, but I’m a little tired of forking over all this cash for beauty products. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a sucker for a new skin care treatment — especially if it will improve my melasma or acne — but sometimes I’d rather spend my money on something else (like a latte:).

Here are a few skin care treatments that won’t cost you a thing; or at least they won’t cost you much.

Water

Drink it.
Try drinking a few extra glasses of water a day. Hydration leads to moisturized and clear skin.

Splash it.
If you have redness or dry skin that you just can’t seem to shake, try to rinse with luke warm water in the morning only. In the evening you should still use a gentle cleanser, but some skin types might benefit from a water only rinse from time to time.

Freeze it.
A frozen washcloth or ice pack can reduce puffiness and redness all over you face, but especially around your eyes.

Swim in it.
The ocean’s salt water is a natural treatment for acne breakouts.

Cardio Exercise

If you read our post, Five skin fitness benefits to exercise, then you already know how exercise can make your skin look younger and healthier. But it’s worth repeating especially because exercise is free!

With 30 minutes of increased heart rate three times a week, you will encourage collagen production, have a rosier complexion, see less cellulite, and experience fewer breakouts.

Stretching

Just like with cardio exercise, some stretching exercises can be beneficial for your complexion too. Hand stands and yoga poses like child’s pose and bowing pose bring blood to the upper body and head circulating more nutrients and oxygen to the skin.

Exfoliate

In the post, The long forgotten wash cloth, I talked about how the washcloth can do wonders for cleaning and softening skin – especially elbows, knees, and feet. Try other inexpensive exfoliators like baking soda, sugar, and oatmeal to save yourself a few dollars from all those expensive scrubs and peels.

Know of other skin care treatments that are free or cheap? Share your skin fitness  ideas by leaving a comment here.

Would you or have you tried any of these interesting beauty treatments?

#1 Oil pulling – This is the process of swishing cold pressed oil in your mouth to pull toxins from your body. According to TruthinAging.com the oil pulling method is ancient and good for your health. Oil pulling even helps treat different skin ailments.

#2 Chap stick for chapped cheeks - I’m not even convinced that chap stick is good for our lips and now they’re telling me to put it on my face? Scary! Australia’s BeautyEditor.com recommends a non-medicated, non-menthol variety of chap stick as pre-makeup base.

#3 Suction for your pores - Yes, you heard me right…suck your pores clean. The Isolaz is a  photopneumatic suction instrument that essentially sucks your pores clean. Pores are cleared for about a month and then you’re back to normal again. This is a new treatment special for acne sufferers and is only used in select doctor’s offices right now, but ask your esthetician, maybe she’ll know where to send you.

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