No matter how well you take care of your skin at home, there's always a benefit to be had from getting the full facial treatment at a professional beauty spa. Whether you're after that beautiful post-facial skin tone, a relaxing massage of the face, head, and neck, or just some time spent being pampered, an hour or a day spent with qualified spa beauticians can do a world of wonder for both your inner and outer self.

DJ Freed is the owner of Atlanta's highly successful Key Lime Pie Aveda Lifestyle Salon and Wellness Spa, which serves celebrity clients from Nicole Kidman to Lauren Bacall. Freed's hair and make-up work has been featured at the Olympics and the Oscars, and in countless fashion publications, and she is considered an icon in the beauty industry. Here she explains the steps and the benefits of a spa facial:

• Start with a consultation.
  The first step in a spa facial treatment is a consultation and connection. In your consultation, a spa employee will ask you about your diet, exercise regimen, and any medication you might be on.
  
• Questions about your skin.
  You'll also be asked what you would you like to change about your skin, what products you're currently using, and what results you would like from the facial.
  
• Cleanse, exfoliate, massage.
  Next comes a cleansing process, followed by an analysis of your skin. Then the spa technician will refine and exfoliate your skin and give you a massage.
  
• Choose your facial.
  You can choose from many different facial treatments including skin balancing techniques, masks, skins, and toners. Once the facial is complete, the technician offers a treatment to moisturize and protect your skin.
  
• Look great, feel great.
  After getting a facial you should feel relaxed, and rejuvenated, like energy has been restored to your skin. Your skin will looks and feel great.

For more information about spas, facials, and skin care, check out the following organizations or websites:

Spa Magazine
www.spamagazine.com

Spafinder
www.spafinder.com

Beauticians Onnet: Facials
www.beauticiansonnet.com

Yahoo Health: Skin Health
health.yahoo.com

Smart Skin Care
www.smartskincare.com

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