MANILA, Philippines - It was not so long ago when facials were done only in the sterile confines of a dermatologist's clinic or, for those who know, in the musty halls of the red light district.

Not anymore.

Today, so-called skin clinics peddling all manner of skin treatments have sprouted at almost every corner with hardly any dermatologist in sight. Even beauty salons have branched out to include facial treatments among their services, thanks to the white-hot competition in the workplace where clear and baby-smooth skin has become an edge.

A facial basically involves cleaning the face, extracting pesky blackheads and whiteheads, treating pimples and closing the pores with a laser treatment. The cost can range from P300 to P3,000, depending on the brand of skin care products used as well as the extra frills that are offered, from a facial massage, a skin-tightening mask and antioxidants.

Just like a body massage, a foot spa and body scrub, facials have become popular de-stressing options for most Filipinos who look forward to some pampering at the end of a hard day's work.

The trend bodes well for skin and face clinics such as the Godiva Skin Station, where facials are the most requested treatment, usually combined with an exfoliation session. “A regular facial can go a long way in maintaining your face value in this highly competitive world,” says Godiva CEO Fred Reyes. While frequency of treatment depends on a person's skin type and particular needs, a monthly facial is usually good enough, he adds.

But do we really need a facial? Can't good old soap and water do anymore?

Apparently not, if skin clinics are to be believed, especially with pollution taking an extra toll on the skin.

“At the very least, a facial treatment cleans up impurities found on the skin, hydrates and soothes the skin and enhances the absorption of skin care actives that may delay aging, lighten skin discolorations or control acne breakouts,” says Reyes.

He adds that because they do not use foreign brands, they are able to offer skin care services at affordable prices, ranging from P300 for the 45-minute facial express to P600 for the 90-minute full facial treatment.

The Belo Group likewise considers cleaning and facials as among its most popular services, although its prices are more steep due mainly to the use of more expensive skin care brands. Skin cleaning services start at P1,120 for a 30- to 45-minute session using Glycopeel for oily and acne-prone skin, Micropeel for dry skin, and Honey-Almond for sensitive skin.

Full facial starts at P2,800, which the Belo Group describes as a “classic European facial” that combines cleaning, with a face and shoulder massage and a mask to tighten the skin.

If you have more cash to spare, you can try the group's contouring facial that goes for P2,240 for an hour and the Obagi Oxygen facial, a treatment using antioxidants and pure oxygen that goes for a handsome P2,800 a session.

Not everybody, however, is happy about facials being within arm's reach.

Dr. Grace Beltran, a dermatologist at St. Luke's Hospital, notes that facials are intended mainly to hasten the treatment of pimples, but they are not a requirement for treating acne.

“In fact, in the United States, they do not do a facial as it is time-consuming and you pay by the hour for treatments there,” she adds. “Facials can also lead to life-threatening conditions like meningitis if not done properly.”

Beltran thus encourages Filipinos to go to a dermatologist for their needs, just to make sure they are really getting their money's worth and are not exposing themselves to unnecessary risks.

“Facial centers are sprouting like bushes,” observes Beltran. “I liken them to sari-sari stores that you can just put up after you get the requirements from City Hall. Their facialist could vary from the slightly educated to those who are not educated at all. This is dangerous.”

A facial, she cautions, should be done by a dermatologist because if complications set in, they will know what to do. “Although deadly complications are rare, there is still that possibility.”