Many salons and most aestheticians use the gommage as Yonka is now instructing them to. I was trained, originally, back in 1985 when things were done a bit differently. In fact Gommage was then called Desincrustant—not a great name, so I was happy about that change. Back then there were actually three gommage products, today there are just two.
Usually a client is told to apply Gommage, let it sit on the face for a few minutes, then use the fingertips to gommage or flake the product off. This isn’t a terrible way to use it, but you truly will get a better gommage—a better exfoliation—if you massage the product in the whole time it is on your face. Without this added massage, you simply don’t get the best exfoliation. Plus your skin benefits from the added circulation from the manual manipulation. (Please refer to my instructions in the link below.)
Why can’t I get the gommage to peel off? I feel like I have to rub my skin raw, and that can’t be good—right?
This is probably the most common occurrence when using the gommage and it’s simply do to not using enough product. Because the gommage is a somewhat loose gel, when squeezing it out of the tube you may initial think you are pouring out enough product. But without using at the least a quarter-size dollop and more likely needing a half-dollar sized application, you probably aren’t using enough product. This isn’t the end of the world, but without enough product to come off, the gommage will basically act more like a moisturizer and soak into your skin. Again, not the end of the world, but not the result you are ultimately looking for.
If you feel you are “rubbing your skin raw,” you now know you probably aren’t using enough product. I recommend not removing what you have applied but do add more product—about half the amount you began with—massage that in over your first application and soon the gommage flakes should appear without any trouble.
When I used the gommage last night, I felt like I couldn’t get it to dry off. Am I using too much? How should I apply it next time?
This, too, happens from time to time—even to me! Sometimes in the treatment room, I’ll accidentally squeeze too much product onto my hand and as I apply it to the client’s face, I can tell it will take forever to start to gommage. Rarely, but on occasion when this happens, I do take a tissue and take off a bit of the product. Again, not the worst thing to have happen, but without the proper amount of gommage, this process won’t work the best it can.
If you find you have applied too much gommage (you’ll know because you will massage and massage and the product just doesn’t sink into your skin), you could sit under a ceiling fan if you have one in your home; you could simply fan your face for a few seconds; you could tissue the excess off but I don’t wholeheartedly recommend that. You may take too much off and then you’re back to square one: needing more product. The gommage process from start to finish takes about 5 minutes. If you are massaging for a lot long than that, you’ve probably applied too much product.
Believe me, after using the gommage a few times, you will understand how much you ideally need to use. My point in detailing these instructions is not to scare you away from using it—quite the contrary. I want to give you as much information as possible to help you through any hiccups you have when first starting out using gommage.
Gommage is such an important step in your weekly skin care Extras program, I wanted to include a client comment for any of you who have had issues using this particular product. This client had received a sample of gommage from another Yonka salon in my area, but didn’t have the correct instructions (or any instructions?) as to how to use it.
Why can’t I get the gommage to peel off? I feel like I have to rub my skin raw, and that can’t be good—right?
This is probably the most common occurrence when using the gommage and it’s simply do to not using enough product. Because the gommage is a somewhat loose gel, when squeezing it out of the tube you may initial think you are pouring out enough product. But without using at the least a quarter-size dollop and more likely needing a half-dollar sized application, you probably aren’t using enough product. This isn’t the end of the world, but without enough product to come off, the gommage will basically act more like a moisturizer and soak into your skin. Again, not the end of the world, but not the result you are ultimately looking for.If you feel you are “rubbing your skin raw,” you now know you probably aren’t using enough product. I recommend not removing what you have applied but do add more product—about half the amount you began with—massage that in over your first application and soon the gommage flakes should appear without any trouble.
When I used the gommage last night, I felt like I couldn’t get it to dry off. Am I using too much? How should I apply it next time?
If you find you have applied too much gommage (you’ll know because you will massage and massage and the product just doesn’t sink into your skin), you could sit under a ceiling fan if you have one in your home; you could simply fan your face for a few seconds; you could tissue the excess off but I don’t wholeheartedly recommend that. You may take too much off and then you’re back to square one: needing more product. The gommage process from start to finish takes about 5 minutes. If you are massaging for a lot long than that, you’ve probably applied too much product.
Believe me, after using the gommage a few times, you will understand how much you ideally need to use. My point in detailing these instructions is not to scare you away from using it—quite the contrary. I want to give you as much information as possible to help you through any hiccups you have when first starting out using gommage.
Gommage is such an important step in your weekly skin care Extras program, I wanted to include a client comment for any of you who have had issues using this particular product. This client had received a sample of gommage from another Yonka salon in my area, but didn’t have the correct instructions (or any instructions?) as to how to use it.
Hi Carolyn,
I thought I’d try the Gommage the night after my facial with you. Your
instructions were perfect! At first I did have slightly too much of the
product to start with and it wasn’t working, so I blotted a bit off of
my face and started massaging it gently, and it was exactly as your blog explained—pencil eraser texture sloughed off in the sink. I also used it on
my hands because my hands are so dry right now, and I basically had the
exact same results. I am very happy I made the purchase of Gommage.
It is DIVINE! My skin feels SO great! Thank you for your great advice.
Using Yonka’s Gommage is paramount to your healthy skin care program. Please don’t let the somewhat complexity of it turn you off. Once you get this product to work, it will work wonders for your skin. If you haven’t tried it yet, please do! And if you have tried Gommage in the past but just couldn’t get it to work on your skin, it is my hope that with all the instructions I provide here (and in my salon) that you will give it a go—one more time. It really is worth the extra effort!
For more information, see:
For more information, see:
- Yonka’s Gommage Instructions—This is Very Important Information!
- Gommage in the shower?
- The Extras—Do more to have healthy skin
