When the mind and body are not in balance, acne can worsen, dark under-eye circles become more prominent and progressive aging accelerates. Facials provide an opportunity to treat the skin and to ignite the senses to create a total body wellness experience.

Types of Certifications
Bodywork or wellness certifications can include, but are not limited to, aromatherapy, meditation, sound therapy (singing bowls and tuning forks), breath work, Reiki (energy work), Shirodhara (third eye therapy), warm stone facial massage, Chinese facial acupressure, warm oil scalp massage, or reflexology. These types of services can be marketed on the spa menu as full stand-alone services or incorporated into facial protocols, creating a lovely add-on to facial services.

Benefits to Clients
Clients often report feeling calm, refreshed, and centered after their treatments. Providing services that go the extra step in incorporating wellness can improve sleep, promote relaxation, and revitalize their well-being. Most clients seek additional ways to feel better holistically, so professionals should pursue ways to provide natural treatments that addressed their concerns. It will be financially rewarding and extremely gratifying to go beyond expectations and work with the mind, body, soul of clients.

How to Get Certified
Professionals can become wellness certified in a variety of ways outside of the traditional aesthetician training, as these certifications are not usually offered as part of the curriculum. Holistic wellness, yoga, and meditation centers are excellent places to start researching options. Massage schools and product distributors should not be overlooked as certification resources. If professionals are not sure what services to offer, they can find free introductory videos of services online so they can become familiar with offerings and discover what sparks their interest. Reiki is the only service that is recommended to seek out a certified master who offers specialized training in levels one through three jointly. Many Reiki masters offer group training held over a two or three-day period or private instruction with accompanying post-certification apprenticeship.

Wellness Protocol Tips
Try adding these fun tips into clients' facials and watch their response. Warning: clients will love it, tell their friends, and have them lining up to go next.

Aromatherapy – Add two drops of relaxing essential oils into warm towels, cleansing water, or aromatic inhalations before starting the treatment. Lavender, bergamot, ylang ylang, or vetiver are great choices, but remember to ask the client about sensitivities to scents or plant allergies.

Gemstone Therapy – Restore balance and alignment within the seven main chakras. Chakras are considered the emotional and mental energy centers of the body. While the client is masking, place each gemstone over the corresponding chakra for the duration of the mask.

Warm Stone Facial Massage – After the regular facial routine, add a five-minute warm stone massage. This massage uses heated small-to-medium sized stones to help improve circulation. It feels amazing on the face, neck, and décolleté. Many massage supply companies sell stone sets with instructions.