If you’re scheduling a spa treatment or looking for skin care products to use at home, face masks are a common choice. Mud masks, creams, and sheet masks are designed to improve your skin by allowing it to absorb beneficial substances directly. Here’s what you should know about their applications and effectiveness.

Your Absorbent Skin

The idea of applying nutrients directly to your skin does have merit. Your skin absorbs ingredients from the mixture you spread on your face, including various healing and antioxidant substances like Vitamin C. However, only a small portion of what is in the mask makes it into your skin. Many ingredients are too weak to make much of a difference.

Adjusting Moisture

What masks are effective for is hydrating or drying the skin. A good cream mask provides plentiful moisture to heal dry areas, while if your skin is oily, a clay mask can absorb a large quantity of the oil and draw impurities out of your pores. The right treatment option for your skin can soothe irritation and reduce acne for a smoother, healthier appearance.

Alternatives

Because masks have limits as a skin care option, they may or may not be the right answer for your situation. You might fare better with a professional facial or peel, which sloughs off the uppermost layer to reveal fresh skin. Other treatment options include skin resurfacing or laser therapy. You might even consider a face-lift for significant wrinkle reduction.

If you aren’t satisfied with your skin’s condition, David K. Hiranaka, M.D., D.M.D. in Kailua-Kona, HI, will help. This Harvard-trained cosmetic surgeon has over 24 years of experience serving patients on the Big Island. In addition to cosmetic surgery, he offers a range of non-invasive treatment options and skin care products. But the best selection for you depends on the characteristics of your skin, so for expert advice, schedule a consultation at (808) 326-2040 or online.