A gold facial is a type of spa treatment that includes the application of a facial mask made with 24 carat gold foil. This kind of facial can often help to diminish the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines for a more youthful appearance. This softer precious metal's composition allows the skin to more readily absorb it; a gold facial can have benefits for both dry skin and oily, acne-prone skin. A somewhat smaller number of select salons and day spas tend to offer this higher-end skin treatment, and an aesthetician with specialized training in the use of gold facial kits should ideally apply this type of facial mask.
Depending on each client's age and skin type, a gold facial can help purge the skin of common environmental toxins and reduce the appearance of sun damage. Gold has been shown in some lab tests to speed up the regeneration of skin cells, which can often have noticeable skin brightening effects. Since gold face treatments have detoxifying properties, they can also help reduce levels of acne-causing bacteria on the skin as well as prevent some new blemishes from forming.
Prior to the applications of gold creams, gels, or heated masks, one of these facials typically begins with skin cleansing using certain products based on individual skin type. The next step usually entails exfoliation and facial massage to help remove dead surface skin cells as well as facilitate drainage of the lymphatic system, an important component of the detoxification process. A final part of the gold facial usually includes the application of a gel-based gold foil mask known as a heated turmeric pack. Some versions of this facial can also include a second gold mask that is simply applied cold and left to settle for about 10 minutes.
The typical gold facial treatment kit consists of both a gold-based cream and gold-based gel that have additional skin-improving ingredients. The gold cream typically consists of 24K gold dust mixed with saffron, honey, and sandalwood powder. This cream is usually followed by the gold-based gel turmeric pack derived from a combination of aloe vera and very thin sheets of gold foil. A specialized facial instrument is generally used to melt the gold foil by controlled degrees so that the gold particles can penetrate the skin's surface. Following the removal of the gold turmeric pack, the skin is usually calmed with cold compresses and moisturized with a light lotion.