A little personal pampering during and after the hectic holiday season can go a long way toward making you feel good. However, if you plan to visit a day salon for a facial, here are some tips to help make your trip a positive experience.

• Educate yourself. Call around and find out which salon has licensed aestheticians who have worked with patients with skin conditions such as rosacea.

• Mention your medical condition up front. Tell your facialist about your rosacea and any other medical conditions such as allergies, pregnancy, heart conditions and high or low blood pressure. Any of these may require adjustments in the treatment you receive.

• Discuss your personal skin-care routine. Mention your own skin-care routine and the specific products that you use on your face. You could even bring these products along.

• Avoid irritating ingredients. Find out the ingredients of any products they may want to use during your facial, so you can avoid anything that may cause irritation -- such as alcohol, menthol, peppermint, eucalyptus, witch hazel or certain fragrances.

• Avoid procedures that heat or peel your skin. Stay away from such procedures as steaming your face, hot towels or hot wax treatments, which can stimulate flushing. Also avoid skin peels or exfoliating your skin with coarse cleansers, which may aggravate rosacea.

When performed properly and with appropriate skin-care products, a facial can be relaxing for some rosacea patients.