Emmy Rossum (Photo: Face Place Facebook).
Face Place is the go-to skincare spot for celebrities, counting Sophia Coppola, Emmy Rossum and Mary-Louise Parker as fans; it’s even been Goop-approved. With locations in New York, Los Angeles and London, they only offer one facial. While most facial spots are buzz-worthy for only a few months, people have been swearing by Face Place–a boutique spa that only accepts twenty clients per day–for decades. Their signature facial has stayed exactly the same since 1972 and it was originally created for men. Tony Silla, the co-owner and head aesthetician considers it a “no-nonsense, results focused treatment.”
A woman hidden behind a dry heat mask at Face Place (Photo: David McNew/Newsmakers)
As beauty trends evolve and skincare spots aim to offer the newest craze, Face Place sticks to their signature facial. Customers climb onto the small bed and elevate their feet on a foam roller, so blood rushes to the face. After the face is cleansed, Face Place uses their custom dry heat mask, a Darth Vader-inspired rubber cone, with a hole for breathing. While it’s better than being inundated with hot steam, it never seemed to truly heat up on the face like it’s supposed to. The second major step involves the use of a “galvanic current.”
New York’s Face Place, above Sally Hershberger (Photo: Courtesy Face Place).
Mr. Silla described the process to Observer. “We apply a cotton mask soaked in our Vitamin C and Zinc solution. We then apply galvanic current to penetrate the ingredients and give ultimate tightening, lifting and calming results.”
A woman receiving galvanic currents behind a mask at Face Place (Photo: David McNew/Newsmakers)
The galvanic current is supposed to tighten and firm facial tissues, stimulate cell renewal, tighten pores and prevent inflammation after extractions. It’s meant to optimize the penetration of key ingredients, which means no working out (i.e. sweating profusely) in the 24 hours post-facial, because the ingredients are still sinking in, just in case you needed another excuse to avoid the gym. Also, expect to run home to hide; while the redness isn’t bad, it definitely looks like you just got a facial.
“We describe Face Place like going to the gym for your skin–after one treatment you will see great results, but to see long term results and for preventative effects, a regular routine is necessary. We have three generations of the same families visit us in West Hollywood–and in our London location we have a client who flies in from Germany for the treatment and then flies straight back,” Mr. Silla said.
