The Charcoal Facial

Last year, the charcoal face mask became the most coveted of skin care products. This spa treatment uses activated charcoal to purify and refresh skin. The procedure is amazingly effective, but is best performed by a trained esthetician at a reputable day spa.

The skin care products used will vary from one day spa to the next, but the important active ingredient in these treatments is charcoal. The charcoal is mixed into a thick, puddy-like formula that is then brushed onto the client's prepared skin. The charcoal mixture needs to rest for at least 15 minutes, and the total time for this spa treatment may be up to 90 minutes.

The treatment is so new that there is not yet much clinical data to support its effectiveness. However, charcoal has long been used as a purifier, just not of skin. Activated charcoal already has many uses in medicine, treating everything from nausea to gastrointestinal infections. It can absorb up to 200% of its weight in pollutants. It stands to reason that if it is effective at removing toxins from the body, it can be effective at removing toxins from the skin.

It is recommended that this treatment be performed by a professional esthetician. Many at-home versions of the charcoal mask include glue. Glue can remove an entire layer of your skin and can also strip the skin of essential oils, making you more vulnerable to skin issues than you were prior to the treatment. On the other hand, a properly performed charcoal spa treatment will be relaxing and rejuvenating, leaving your skin looking and feeling healthier.