Pro tip: I stopped using hot towels on oily skin after a client visit in Phoenix

I was doing a facial for a new client in Scottsdale last month, and her skin was super oily but also red and sensitive. I went with my usual routine, starting with a hot towel to open the pores. About five minutes after I applied it, she said her face felt like it was burning. I took the towel off and saw her redness had gotten way worse. I felt awful. I ended up just using a cool, damp cloth with a gentle cleanser for the rest of the service, and her skin calmed right down. It made me realize that heat can really irritate some oily skin types, especially if there's underlying sensitivity or inflammation. Now I always ask about heat tolerance and often skip the hot towel step entirely for clients with similar skin. Has anyone else had to change their go-to steps for oily, reactive skin?

3 comments

3 Comments

betty_reed617d ago

Oh man, that reminds me of a bad sunburn story.

wood.paige24d ago

My old spa manager swore by hot towels for everything.

emery_lane24d ago

Hot towels are overrated for a lot of things. They can irritate sensitive skin and spread bacteria if not handled perfectly. A cold compress is actually better for reducing puffiness or calming irritation. Sometimes the old school way is just stubborn, not smart.