Is there anyone in need of a little pampering more than a nurse? More deserving? I think not friends. And yet we are the least likely to self care, to carve out time for rest, reflection and rejuvenation. After taking stock of myself, (tired feet? Check. Aching back? Check. Dull skin in desperate need of an intervention? Check and double check) I made an appointment at Burke Williams spa for a facial. Burke Williams San Francisco is located at the Westfield Mall.
After checking in, I put all my things into a locker and got comfy in a plush white robe. I managed to sit on one of the couches in the waiting area and not fall asleep, despite working a 12 hour shift the night before and being seated next to a cozy fireplace.
My aesthetician today was Ireland, a skin care goddess whose glowing skin made me secretly ashamed that my entire skin care regimen consists of soap, water, and relying on a sheen of sweat during work hours to give me something remotely resembling dewy skin. She evaluated my skin, made a few inquiries about my non existent skin care routine and made her recommendations. Overall, the facial was a very soothing experience. A softly lit room, a paraffin wax dip for my hands and some warm stream on my face combined with a lack of sleep the night before lulled me into a nap. I woke up quickly during the extraction process though.
For those who haven’t had a facial before, most follow a few basic steps: consultation, cleanse, steam, exfoliation, extraction, massage, and final application of skin creams or serums. The extraction process to remove blackheads and whiteheads can be a little rough as the aesthetician manipulates your skin to clear any clogged pores. A final application of serum, and then it was back to massage and relaxation. Ireland proposed a list of products that would benefit my skin and practically begged me to stop main lining coffee and drink a glass of water now and then. After her hard work, my skin looked beautiful and I felt wonderful. To all my fellow nurses, don’t forget to take care of yourselves. Do something for yourself and you will find that your providing compassionate care should start with you.