Hey there Ms. Liz. I always see advertisements of Diamond Peel/ Chemical Peel, Microdermabrasion, etc. around the mall. I haven't tried any of those except for a basic facial that extracts comedones. I don't have pimples, just the occasional ones during my time of the month or if I forgot to wash my face. I just have bumps scattered on my forehead, visible pores around the nose area and a few bumps as well.

I'm only 20 and I'm scared those services might harm my facial skin and would turn out worse. So my question is when do we consider getting a diamond peel? Or is it required to get a diamond peel once in your life? Should I get one? - Nerys

Hey Nerys! I've tried quite a lot of facial treatments in my beauty blogging "career", and the truth is I have regretted most (not all) of them. Let me describe my skin condition back then: I had serious acne, from white heads to cystic ones, and they left very serious blemishes that would take months to fade away (still, luckily). I would get some sort of elaborate facial and my skin would look great for a few days, and then I would break out heavily for the next week or so. What a vicious cycle!

The worst thing that I think I did to my skin is the chemical peel (blue peel). The 7-day peeling process was traumatic, and on top of that I now have very fine wrinkles on my forehead due to the peel. I am 25, and I have wrinkles on my forehead. Wtf, right?

Physical and chemical peels work by scrubbing and burning the top layer of skin away to force a new, younger layer to emerge. Diamond peels involve a diamond-tipped, rotating drill that clears off the skin's top layer. Diamond peels are a form of microdermabrasion, which is basically a process that involves some sort of machine to scrub the skin. Chemical peels usually involve mild acid to burn the skin, and can thus penetrate deeper than physical peels.

I tried an intriguing facial the other week from CACI 6750. Why intriguing? Instead of pricking and scrubbing, the facial involves simply scraping off whiteheads and blackheads with an ultrasonic spatula. I know, too sci-fi! But it works. The machine cleaned up my face nicely without the stressful pricking that usually comes with facials.

CACI, short for computer-aided cosmetology instrument, is a brand from the United Kingdom which specializes in non-invasive anti-aging techniques. It has been in the Philippines for seven years, but oddly enough it's not yet too popular. Former Ms Universe Gloria Diaz loves the signture facial, the CACI Premium Non-Surgical Face Lift, and comes in every so often for a treatment!

I didn't try that face lift because I'm just 24 (although some people like to start young). Instead, I went for the MD Dermatics Glow Facial, which is basically for clearing out nasty pore blockages and acne. It uses microcurrent toning, a technology that was initially used to treat those with Bells Palsy. However, the affected muscles did not react as well as the normal muscles and this is where they saw the aesthetic value of the technology.

For today, I thought I'd feature an interesting question from the Ask Liz! forum. If you have your own beauty question, just leave it there and I'll try my best to answer. Do make sure I haven't written about it before though!

Hey Liz, when I read the post, "6 Things I Learned From My Chemical Peel Experience" it shed more light on how I need to take care of my skin. And so I also worried. Aside from the basic 3 (cleanse, tone, moisturize), I was thinking about getting a facial and then maybe maintaining it since I heard it cleanses and rids dead skin cells (not sure). Also, I have acne scars. They are pretty small but they make a constellation in my face. Bottom line: do I consult to a dermatologist first? (having doubts since my case isn't as crucial) or get a facial already?

Audrey

Hi Audrey! Yup, that's definitely true, facials take off the old skin and clean blocked pores (blackheads, whiteheads). You can also have your pimples pricked so they won't get too big and leave a bigger blemish. Everyone should definitely do a facial once a month or, if your skin is pretty good already, once in every two months will do.

Of course, have it done by a derma instead of going to spas - a lot of people make that mistake!

When I first used the Strivectin-SD Instant Retexturing Scrub, I immediately thought: "Oooh! It's a facial in a tube!" My face felt as if it just came out of a 30-minute facial, which is saying a lot for a couple of minutes of scrubbing. My skin was moisturized, smooth ("retexturized"?) and my pores were flushed out.

What I like most about this scrub is that the beads are very fine, so the skin doesn't feel rubbed raw after using it. The product felt gentle on my face, but Strivectin strictly recommends that you use it only twice a week because of its potency. 

I'm stressed out lately. Well, who isn't? My excuse is that I'm busy with my new work, juggling all my other priorities, and then there are all these issues plaguing the local blogging community right now. I just want to go on vacation - again.

I'll be vacationing with the family in a couple of weeks, but for the meantime the next best thing to do is to visit a spa. I got a gift certificate  for a free facial at The Spa a couple of weeks back (won it from a contest). I finally made time to use it last Monday, and I enjoyed it so much that I decided to pay for a massage! That explains my good mood. :D

I first visited The Spa last year when I treated our Asian Secrets bride, Kirby, to the Bonifacio High Street branch. Just stepping through the wide doors gave me such a rich sensory experience that I promised myself I'd go back. You'll understand me when you go in, too - there's this sweet tangerine smell that immediately surrounds you.

I paid a visit to Makati Wellness Studio after I went to the Paul & Joe private sale. Thanks to Google Maps, I was able to find the place and was delighted to know that the spa is just a short walk from The Prestige building. Once I stood on JP Rizal corner Antipolo St, I got a bit lost as I didn't see anything that looked remotely like a spa. Fortunately I saw a big sign that points to where MWS is - apparently it's upstairs atop Chowking, unmarked except for the sign.

The spa is clean, cozy, and welcoming. The services are very affordable (starting from P119 with the most expensive treatment at only P800), perfect for women on a budget. Of course, don't expect high-class, chic interiors - the floors are made of wood and is quite thin (you will hear every single footstep reverberating) and the treatment room looks a bit crowded.

Feet/leg treatment area

Super comfy chairs

I had the Coffee Facial Treatment (P499), Diamond Peel (P799), and Foot Spa (P299).