10 Differences Between
Professional and DIY Beauty Treatments
The beauty industry is booming regardless of economic downturns. In the US alone the industry generates billions of dollars annually with hair and skin care being the most profitable segments. At the same time, the amount of DIY beauty tutorials is growing rapidly. In this list we will compare popular DIY and professional treatments.
1. Facials for problematic skin
If you have a skin condition like rosacea, eczema, or persistent acne, contacting a specialist is your best choice. Contact your dermatologist first, as these conditions require special facials, and make sure that your aesthetician has experience treating clients with similar problems. The usual treatments may be too harsh for a specific condition and certain products might irritate your skin and trigger flare-ups. Bottom line, book a medical facial, and never try DIY facials at home when your skin requires special treatment.
2. Hair coloring
If you want to change your hair color drastically from dark to light, or if you are doing it for the first time, going to the salon is the best choice, as doing it yourself can cause significant damage to your hair. Professionals assess your hair condition, choose the best color for you out a larger set of colors than in the local drug store, set the correct timing, and apply the needed level of developer.
3. Lash and brow tinting
Although there are some DIY eyelash and brow kits available for sale, you are never advised to do it yourself. As the tints contain chemicals, it maybe dangerous to apply them next to your eyeballs. Search for a reputable salon, where they perform a patch test, apply a protective cream, and leave the dye on for just enough time.
4. Pimple popping
We all know that we should avoid popping and squeezing blemishes and pimples, but the urge is often hard to resist. When you are not careful, and perform extractions at home, you can leave permanent scars on your skin, and even cause an infection. When extractions are performed by a professional, it’s more sterile, and performed from a better angle. Besides, you can get professional’s advice about your specific case.
5. Waxing
According to aestheticians themselves, you can wax easy to reach areas like legs, armpits, or upper lip from the comfort of your home. Just don’t forget to follow some easy rules: exfoliate the to-be-waxed areas a couple days before the procedure, and don’t work out afterward as sweat can irritate your skin. See a professional for the more hard to reach spots for the best results.
6. Gentle exfoliation
Gentle exfoliation is a procedure one can easily perform at home weekly using a gentle scrub. Just avoid harsh scrubs irritating your skin. After all, DIY facials have been around for years before salons. The benefit of salons is that they provide professional advice and offer a variety of products. There is no need to overpay for simple procedures that you can do in your bathroom.
7. Microdermabrasion
Microdermabrasion is a non-invasive cosmetic procedure that helps to exfoliate and remove dead skin cells with fine crystals or a diamond tip. Despite the presence of at-home microdermabrasion devices on sale, it’s much better to visit a specialist for this procedure since operating the device requires special training. By attempting to do it yourself, you risk traumatizing your skin.
8. Shaping eyebrows
Whether to do eyebrow shaping at home greatly depends on your skills, but salons provide a lot more benefits here. Professionals can advise you about the best shape, they work from a better angle (as you need a close-up view for the most effective shaping), and they require much less time to do it than you yourself. You can of course correct the shape of your eyebrows in between appointments.
9. Manicures and pedicures
Getting your nails done at the salon is a relaxing experience and a perfect solution if you are attending a special event and you want to look perfect, but is it really worth it? You can save a lot of money by teaching yourself to do it at home: there are many supplies available and with a bit of practice you can master this skill, going to salons only to treat yourself occasionally.
10. Teeth whitening
Professional teeth whitening at the dentist could get expensive, while at home whitening tools like whitening toothpastes, gels, and strips can also be quite effective. Those home whiteners are easy to use, and much cheaper than a visit to the dentist. Specialist treatment is only required when your gums are extra sensitive and you are ready to pay for quick results. Do you agree with the differences outlined in this article? Which treatments do you do at home and which do you leave for the professionals? Share your opinions and DIY tips in the comments!
