Which Facial Is Right for Me? A Guide to Facials in La Grange, IL
f you’ve ever looked at a facial menu and thought, Okay... but which one am I actually supposed to book? you’re not alone.
Some people come to us wanting help with breakouts. Others are dealing with dullness, texture, dryness, or skin that just doesn’t feel like itself lately. And sometimes? You simply want an hour to relax and walk out glowing.
At Carla Thomas Med Spa in La Grange, IL, our esthetician services are designed around your skin, your goals, and what you need right now. You don’t need to be a skincare expert before you book. That’s our job.
Here’s our guide to choosing the right CTMS facial.
If You’re New to Facials: CTMS Signature Facial
60 minutes | $150
Not sure what your skin needs? Start here.
The CTMS Signature Facial is our classic customized facial and a great choice for virtually any skin type, especially if this is your first appointment with one of our estheticians.
Your treatment includes a double cleanse, exfoliation, extractions, facial massage, mask, and LED light therapy, all customized based on what your skin needs that day.
Choose the Signature Facial if:
You’re booking your first facial at CTMS
You want a little bit of everything
Your skin needs a general refresh
You want your esthetician to customize the treatment for you
You’re not quite sure what your skin needs yet
Think of this as our “you don’t have to figure it out first” facial. Come in, tell us what’s bothering you, and we’ll take it from there.
If You’re Dealing With Breakouts or Congestion: Golden Glow Up Facial
45 minutes | $95
Breakouts, clogged pores, and congestion need a different approach than dry or aging skin.
Our Golden Glow Up Facial was created with younger skin and active breakouts in mind. It includes a strong focus on extractions along with high-frequency technology to help calm inflammation and clear congestion.
Choose the Golden Glow Up if:
You’re experiencing active breakouts
Your pores feel clogged or congested
You want an extraction-focused facial
You have younger or teen skin that needs professional support
You want to support a healthier skin barrier while addressing acne
And yes, parents: this can be a great place to start when your teen suddenly has a bathroom counter full of skincare products but their skin is getting more irritated instead of less.
Sometimes simpler, professional guidance is exactly what their skin needs.
If You Want the Full Experience: CTMS Platinum Facial
90 minutes | $225
If you’re thinking, I’m here. Give me the works, meet the CTMS Platinum Facial.
This is our most comprehensive facial and includes everything you get with our Signature Facial, plus more time and an advanced treatment selected by your esthetician based on your skin that day.
Your esthetician may incorporate oxygen infusion, ultrasonic technology, or high frequency into your treatment. You can also upgrade to dual modality for an additional $25 to receive both oxygen infusion and ultrasound.
Choose Platinum if:
You want our most comprehensive facial
Dullness and uneven texture are concerns
You have an event coming up and want that extra glow
You love a longer facial experience
You want advanced technology incorporated into your appointment
This is the one for the person who doesn't want to choose between relaxing and getting serious about their skin.
We vote for both.
If Your Skin Needs a Little TLC: TLC Facial
60 minutes | $130
Sometimes your skin doesn't need more. It needs a little kindness.
Our TLC Facial is a gentle, restorative treatment focused on calming and hydrating the skin and supporting the skin barrier. It's especially designed for recovery following certain treatments at CTMS.
We recommend it approximately two weeks after a chemical peel, microneedling, or Tox treatment.
Choose the TLC Facial if:
Your skin needs hydration and calming
You recently had a more advanced treatment
Your skin barrier needs some extra support
You want something gentle and restorative
If your esthetician thinks your skin needs a break from aggressive treatments, listen to her. More isn't always better when it comes to skincare.
If Texture and Dullness Are Your Biggest Concerns: Smooth It Out
45 minutes | $115
If your skin feels rough, dull, or uneven, Smooth It Out may be your match.
This targeted microdermabrasion treatment uses crystal-tip exfoliation to buff away surface dullness and refine texture, leaving the skin looking smoother and more even.
Choose Smooth It Out if:
Your skin feels rough or uneven
Dullness is bothering you
You want more intensive physical exfoliation
Smoother-looking texture is your primary goal
If You Want Smooth Skin + Goodbye Peach Fuzz: Polish Me
30 minutes | $75
Short on time but still want that freshly polished feeling?
Our Polish Me dermaplaning treatment gently removes dead surface skin and peach fuzz using a sterile blade. We finish with a light toner mist and SPF, and you're on your way.
Choose Polish Me if:
Peach fuzz drives you crazy
You want smoother-feeling skin
You want a quick appointment
You love the way makeup applies after dermaplaning
You want some instant polish without committing to a full facial
At just 30 minutes, this is an easy one to fit into a busy week.
Want to Customize Your Facial? We Can Do That, Too.
Your skin doesn't always fit neatly into one category.
That's why CTMS offers enhancements including dermaplaning, ultrasonic exfoliation, oxygen infusion, Celluma Pro LED therapy, facial waxing, brow services, lash lift and tint, and even a paraffin hand treatment.
Your esthetician can help you decide which additions make sense for your skin instead of adding treatments just for the sake of adding them.
Facial vs. Chemical Peel vs. Microneedling: Which Do I Need?
This is another question we hear all the time.
A customized facial is a great place to begin if your goals include routine skin maintenance, hydration, congestion, exfoliation, or simply improving the overall health and appearance of your skin.
If you're ready to address concerns more aggressively, SkinMedica chemical peels can target concerns including acne, dullness, fine lines, pigmentation, dark spots, and acne scarring. CTMS currently offers different peel strengths depending on your skin and goals.
SkinPen microneedling may also be incorporated into a longer-term treatment plan when deeper collagen stimulation or scar reduction is the goal. CTMS's facial page specifically recommends discussing chemical peels and microneedling when you're ready to move beyond routine esthetician services.
You don't have to make that decision alone.
Still Don't Know Which Facial to Book?
That's completely fine.
One of the biggest reasons to see a professional esthetician is so you don't have to diagnose your own skin or build your treatment plan from TikTok, Google, and the skincare aisle at Target.
At Carla Thomas Med Spa, our approach is personalized. We'll talk about what's happening with your skin, what you'd like to improve, and what makes sense for you.
If you're brand new and simply don't know where to begin, we'd recommend starting with the CTMS Signature Facial. It's designed for all skin types and is specifically listed as a great first visit.
Ready to get started?
