Salon facial vs Dermatologist facial: Which one is better?

Skincare has come of age and millennials are not leaving a stone unturned to take care of themselves, their beauty and their diet. Since face is considered to be the window into someone’s personality, all the self-care follows facial care. Have you noticed a sudden increase in demand for various facials? Well, now that we are in quarantine, people have started calling facial experts home to indulge in pampering sessions, while some are still going to professional dermatology clinics to get these facials done. If you are wondering which one should you choose, here’s help. We got in touch with Dr BL Jangid, Dermatology and Hair transplant Surgeon, SkinQure Clinic, New Delhi to clear the confusion of choosing between a salon and a professional facial, and here’s what he had to say.

First things first, while choosing a facial for your skin, you should decide your preference, if you want a general glow on your face then a salon facial would be perfect but if you want your skin to really feel the difference then a professional facial is a must. Well, dermatologist facials/medical facials are gaining immense popularity over conventional/salon facials and some of the reasons for the same are mentioned below.

Medical facials: They penetrate deeper


One of the major reasons why medical facials win the race against salon facials is the fact that they help you in attaining great skin results from the inside. Whereas, salon facials only target the top layer of your skin that is insufficient for healthy and glowing skin. Some of the professional facial treatments one can choose from are:

Chemical/Organic peels

Open-pore treatment

Under-eye treatment

Lip lightening treatment

Skin glow treatment, etc.

Dermatologist facials are customised for your skin


Salon-based facials might have a huge variety, but none of them are customised for your particular skin type. Whereas, if you visit a dermatologist for a medical facial, the first thing you receive is a thorough skin examination, essential for identifying your skin texture and type. The end result is definitely as personal as the glowing skin you own.

Medical facials operate on a cellular level


Human skin requires approximately 3-4 weeks for shedding completely. This is where medical facials offered by dermatologists become a must-to-opt option over salon-based facials. The treatments are designed to accelerate the process, helping you get the glowing and healthy skin instantly.

According to Dr BL Jangid, “Medical facials are specific to facial treatments that are supervised medically as compared to salon facials that focus on how you feel. Medical facials act beyond the superficial layers of the skin, targeting the root causes of issues like acne, tanning, etc. Whereas, salon facials act temporarily, altering the appearance of the skin that doesn’t last long. Emphasising more on this, salon facials might be more popular, but they only tend to make you feel energized. Whereas, medical facials cover the full cycle of skin regeneration, including shredding of skin cells as well.

Note that you can get a medical facial only from a licensed dermatologist or a medical aesthetician.