My Skincare Experience - Dermalogica Face Mapping

A couple of years ago I was at breaking point with my skin. I started getting spots when I was 12, which escalated into mild acne in my mid teens. I'd been through countless doctor's prescriptions for creams and antibiotics and even been through a course of Roaccutane tablets, which are well known for treating acne due to their strength and the side effects they can cause. The Roaccutane did clear up my acne, even blackheads vanished, but after I finished the course my spots came back; not quite as bad, but bad enough that sometimes I just felt like I didn't want to leave the house. So I started spending money on various skincare products in an attempt to control my skin, with the hope that I'd find that miracle that worked for me!

Why Dermalogica?

I came across the brand Dermalogica through magazines and their products always seemed highly rated. So I did some research online and what really stood out for me is that Dermalogica products are guaranteed when professionally recommended by a qualified Dermalogica skincare therapist. Their products target a range of skincare concerns including oiliness, acne, sensitivity, aging and dryness. Their other big USP was Face Mapping, an analysis of your skin that divides your face into 14 zones, with each zone throroughly examined by a qualified Dermalogica skincare therapist. As described on the Dermalogica website, it "allows the subsequent prescription of a targeted home care regimen for a healthy skin future". I just knew I had to try it.

The Face Mapping Experience

Using the Dermalogica website, I searched for a local salon that offered Face Mapping. I was extremely nervous, what with my awful skin going to be make-up free and completely on show, but my therapist was so lovely right from the very beginning that I felt much more at ease.

So what happens?

First of all I filled in a fairly lengthy questionnaire about my health, lifestyle and skin, including my skin concerns. For example it asks how much water you drink daily, your stress levels, what types of skincare products you use and so on. This is then discussed with the therapist. Of course my skincare concern was spots, with my ultimate goal being to have clear skin.

In order to fully examine the skin, it is first cleansed with an appropriate Dermalogica cleanser. What I loved was that my therapist explained everything so clearly and told me exactly what she was doing, what product she was using and why, then what she was going to do next. The actual face mapping doesn't take very long and she used some scary looking magnifying type glasses to do it, but she of course noted my breakouts but also that I had some dilated capillaries under my cheeks that I would need to address as well.

Afterwards I was given a facial that was customised to suit me, using products that would suit my skin. The facial involved exfoliation, a small amount of extraction as appropriate and a face mask, that was left on while I was given a neck and shoulder massage - heavenly! To finish, a toner and moisturiser.

When the facial was complete, my therapist gave me a Face Mapping sheet that she had filled in and talked through this with me. This sheet included a breakdown of my skin zones and products from the Dermalogica range that she recommended I use in future. I have kept the sheet and taken some pictures of it below:

As you can see she has ticked the products she recommends, plus how often it should be used and whereabouts it should be used. Of course, you aren't under any obligation to buy anything at this point and my therapist didn't push me to at all. 

Would I Recommend Dermalogica Face Mapping?

Yes yes yes! If you have any skincare concerns and you want one-to-one advice with an advised skincare regimen, from a knowledgeable and trained therapist, then go for it. You don't have to go any further with it if you don't want to. 

As it turns out, Face Mapping was the start of a miracle for me. I did buy the products recommended and continued to go back for Dermalogica facials and I still do now every 6 weeks. It took about a year, with changes to the facial and to the products I used, but my skin did start to improve. Now, after 2 years, I do still suffer with spots but they are generally stress related breakouts and nowhere near being classed as acne. I feel so much better in myself and I'm much more confident now. Don't get me wrong though, my skin isn't perfect! This is where my passion for skincare and beauty started.

I know this has been a very wordy post but I hope you found it interesting. I will do a skincare routine post as well I think to follow on.

Have you ever tried Dermalogica? Do you have any skincare concerns? What worked for you?

Beauty Bird xx