Award-winning esthetician plies trade

Award-winning esthetician plies trade on reporter Briana Contreras

Staff reporter Briana Contreras was offered a one-ofa-kind facial treatment at Exhale Spa.

Fadia Ghommay, an esthetician at Exhale Spa located inside of University Hospitals Avon Health Center, 1997 Healthway Drive, was named Spring 2017 Esthetician of the year by IMAGE Skincare.

Ghommay competed against estheticians in Ohio and western Pennsylvania.

She said she received the award by performing many facials and having customers walk out with prescribed IMAGE Skincare products.

Ghommay also received two other University Hospitals awards in Achievement and Appreciation in her two years with the Avon hospital.

In her 16-year career, she has worked as an esthetician with Fairview Hospital before coming to Avon.

Hearing of her achievements, I found out for myself how she earned her award.

I was offered a one-of-akind, complimentary facial treatment June 20 from Ghommay at Exhale Spa.

Before my treatment, Ghommay made me feel welcome and comfortable as she explained all of the services she and staff at Exhale perform.

There are many treatments other than facial treatments that are offered at Exhale.

Guests can be treated to a number of massages, nail services, lash, brows and makeup services, as well as hair removal, reiki and Ionic foot detox.

Ghommay said patrons are treated whether they are members or nonmembers.

After getting a sense of what Exhale offered, I was ready to receive my facial.

I have had a facial once before, so I was familiar with staying hydrated if I wanted to see the best results; as Ghommay similarly explained to me.

Only Ghommay and I entered the peaceful massage room for my facial where I wore a garment over my chest to receive a full treatment.

The atmosphere in the room was very relaxing with dim lighting, a great aroma and soothing music.

I immediately was ready and excited for my treatment.

Although my treatment wasn’t a normal one offered, I sampled different forms of applications in the 90 minutes I was there.

Each facial treatment, or IMAGE Lifts, is performed in series of five steps.

The lifts are the O2, Signature, Acne and Lightening. I received an O2 with a mix of steps pertaining to my skin.

As we began my treatment, Ghommay explained each step that was performed.

Some steps generally were performed in all treatments well as certain others for my skin-type, which is combination, or having oily skin in some areas.

To start, a hot towel was placed on my face to open up pores.

Next, was the cleansing portion that was performed twice to removes makeup and oils.

I then was able to experience the interesting exfoliation step of dermaplaning.

Dermaplaning was done with a small scalpel and delicate touch that simply scrapes the dead skin off of you face.

At first, I was nervous because I’ve never had a blade used on my face, but realized how relaxing, quick and safe it really was.

She explained that the dermaplaning rids the skin of fine peach fuzz and some blackheads.

Ghommay said this procedure quickly has gained popularity among estheticians across the country.

Next, she quickly performed a mild extraction where she removed remaining blackheads by hand.

The Diamond Microdermabrasion followed deep cleanse pores.

By this time, I already was near the end of my facial, but was excited to find out I was receiving a complimentary face and neck massage that stimulates blood circulation, oil glands, lymph nodes and sweat glands.

Ghommay explained that these steps allow your body to receive more oxygen.

With firm pressure, she massaged pressure points of my eye corners, temples and under my eyes.

She explained these are good for headaches and sinus issues.

Adding there are points on our face where if we press in, organs can be stimulated in one’s body.

By this time, I was ready to fall asleep because I felt insanely relaxed.

I had one step left in my facial which was Hyaluronic filler applied to hydrate my skin, which felt great to finish off.

This step is called Rezenerate.

Normally, with this step, nanotechnology is used to infuse the filler into your skin through 49 nano-sized needles; giving it a Botox effect, but only hydrating it to look rejuvenated.

She said rezenerating does not harm your skin or cause it to bleed.

The procedure is recommended for a bride before her wedding or for more mature skin.

Now that my facial was complete, I was not only sad it was over, but my skin felt refreshed and like a light weight was lifted off.

I even looked in the mirror and felt like I was glowing; similar to how Bella Swan complimented Edward Cullen when she first found out he was a vampire in the Twilight series.

Two weeks have went by since I received my facial and I’m getting some peach fuzz back, but my face is still smooth.

Facials and applying the right products to your skin are crucial to your health, Ghommay expressed to me.

It’s good to come every four to six weeks for facials for at least an hour to 90 minutes.

“We want to prevent aging,” she said. “Age later.”

Similar to working out or being on a diet, Ghommay recommends your face should be treated the same.

“You eat healthy, you exercise, you drink a lot of water. I would put (someone) on a diet for your skin; that’s my job,” she said. “You can walk away with our product, have a morning and evening routine and a once a month facial.”

She shared that prices of IMAGE products are comparable to department stores.

For information on treatments or any questions, call Exhale Spa at 440-988-6811.

Contreras