Key Takeaways

• Breckenridge sits at 9,600 feet, and our UV levels are about 30% higher than at sea level.; Fresh snow nearly doubles that exposure again, according to the World Health Organization.
• Most skin does best with a facial every four to six weeks, which matches the length of a full renewal cycle. The popular “28 days” figure is more of a simplification of the science.
• Skin turnover slows with age. Turnover is measured at about 20 days in young adults versus 30-plus in older adults.
• Dry, tight mountain skin calls for the Hydrating Facial. Post-summer dullness and sun spots call for a Brightening Facial.

We often sit down with clients to discuss their skin needs, and nearly all conversations include facials. Do they really work? How often should I get one? Which is best for my skin type?

We’d love to say that there’s a single answer to all facial questions, but the reality is that what your specific skin needs is as unique as your skin itself!

But we do believe that educating you on the what and why of services like facials can help you decide the best way to protect your skin. 

And in Breckenridge and the surrounding areas, you need to pay even closer attention to your skin than you might expect!

Here’s what you need to know about picking the right massage for you!

Your Skin is Fighting Multiple Battles in Breckenridge

Your skin is fighting four things at once up here in Breck:

1. UV runs about 30% higher than sea level
2. Fresh snow reflects up to 80% of it back in winter, nearly doubling exposure
3. Humidity sits in the 35–40% range
4. Four months of forced-air heat and dry cold air pull it lower, with wind roughening the surface

All of that works together to pull your skin’s barrier below the moisture it needs. And when that happens, cells stop shedding, water escapes faster, and skin turns irritated and stubborn. 

That’s what “dry up here” means, and it’s why we often see clients come in looking for solutions for dry skin.

Is a Facial Worth it?

The answer isn’t as clear-cut as you might expect. We treat our services as skin therapy, not simply luxury, and that shows up in how we counsel each client on their options and the best path forward.

• What a facial does: deep cleansing and extractions you can’t replicate at home, professional exfoliation, real hydration, and a trained read on what your skin needs. 
• What a facial doesn’t do: erase wrinkles, treat a medical condition, or fix anything in one visit.

A 60-minute facial runs about $135. Nine of those a year isn’t realistic for most people. A consistent 30-minute Express Refresh every six to eight weeks (combined with home skincare), beats one expensive facial you book twice a year and give up on.

How Often Should You Get A Facial?

Most experts will tell you the cycle is every four to six weeks. That’s just long enough for one renewal cycle to mostly finish before disturbing the surface again. 

You’ve probably heard of “28 days”; measured turnover runs closer to 20 days in young adults and past 30 in older adults, so a firm 28-day figure isn’t always the best measure.

Once you know the natural cycle your skin turns over, you can adjust from there:

• Congested or acne-prone? Aim for closer to four weeks.
• Normal, maintaining? Six weeks should work great.
• Sensitive or reactive? Six to eight weeks, with a focus on gentler treatments.
• Over 50? Turnover has slowed by more than half — stretch the interval, lean toward peptides and hydration over aggressive exfoliation.
• Working with a budget? Quarterly, plus a home skincare routine you’ll keep up with.

We always encourage our clients to hydrate and go gentler November through March. April and May are the best reset window before summer UV ramps. 

Right now, in September, most clients are dealing with accumulated summer sun — a pigment conversation.

Which Facial Is Right For You?

All facials run 60 minutes unless noted, and our estheticians will adjust any of them once they’ve looked at your skin.

• Dry, tight, flaking — Hydrating Facial ($135).
• Congested, breaking out — Deep Cleanse Facial ($135).
• Dull, sun spots after summer — Illuminated Moon Brightening Facial ($135), vitamin C.
• Depleted, stressed barrier — Nourishing Cloudsilk Renewing Facial ($135).
• Rough texture, peach fuzz — Dermaplane Facial ($150).
• Fine lines, loss of firmness — Firming Peptide Facial ($165).
• Short on time or a first-timer — Express Refresh ($75, 30 min); Express Dermaplane also available ($95, 30 min).

We’re committed to using only the best ingredients in our skincare products, which is why we use FarmHouse Fresh (organic, farm-grown botanicals) and Circadia (built to treat skin differently by day and night). 

You can also add Celluma LED Light Therapy (+$46) or an eye or lip treatment to any facial.

Have Questions? Want to Learn More? Stop By!

We’ve been on Main Street since 1994, and Summit County has voted us Best Massage Therapy Office five years running. If you’re weighing bodywork too, we broke down every massage we offer last month.

Not sure where to start? Book the Express Refresh and let our esthetician read your skin — 30 minutes, $75, and you’ll know what your face needs at this elevation.

Book online at Vagaro or call 970-453-7793. We’re at 101 N. Main Street, upstairs in suite 5.

This article is for general education. 

See More About Our Facial Offerings

Note: This article is for general education. For a persistent or medical skin concern, please talk with a dermatologist or your healthcare provider.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should you get a facial?

Every four to six weeks for most skin, so a full renewal cycle finishes first. Acne-prone skin can go closer to four weeks; sensitive skin does better at six to eight with a gentler treatment.

What’s the best facial for dry skin at high altitude?

The Hydrating Facial. Humidity here runs 35 to 40 percent, and forced-air heat runs half the year — most Breckenridge skin is fighting a near-constant moisture deficit.

Do I need a facial, or is a good home routine enough?

Both. A facial gives you professional exfoliation and a trained read on your skin; what you do the other 41 days matters more. Daily sunscreen at this elevation isn’t optional.

I’m only here for the week. Which one should I book?

The Hydrating Facial if your skin already feels tight, or the Express Refresh if you’re short on time. Book mid-trip, not the day you arrive or leave.

Key Takeaways

• At Breckenridge Mountain Massage & Skincare, we offer eight massage types — Therapeutic, Sports, Relax, Hot Stone, Ashiatsu, TMJ, Prenatal, and Couples.
• Therapeutic, our most popular session, fits what most think of when they hear “deep tissue” massage; Relax is our Swedish-style, energy-integrated option.
• Did you know that just 10 minutes of massage has been shown to increase heart rate variability? HRV is one of the best measures of true relaxation.
• Research on 504 athletes found that professionally administered massage reduces post-exercise muscle soreness.
• Ashiatsu, our barefoot technique, is especially effective for stubborn lower back and hip pain.
• Not sure which type of massage to book? Tell us a bit more about yourself, and we’ll help you pick when you schedule!

When you pull up the booking menu at a massage clinic, the names might be a bit overwhelming. Do you go with Therapeutic? Sports? Maybe Hot Stone?

That’s why one of the most common questions we hear from new clients is “Which massage should I get?” 

We totally understand if you get a bit confused by all of the different massage options available. Each one is unique, and each targets a different set of needs. 

But the goal is the same: bring you peace and comfort, and have you leave feeling refreshed!

Here’s what you need to know about picking the right massage for you!

What Are The Different Types of Massage at Breckenridge Mountain Massage & Skincare? 

If you asked us to pick a favorite type of massage, chances are we couldn’t pick just one: each is so unique and tailored to a specific outcome. Each option you find on our massage menu solves for something different:

Therapeutic Massage

This is one of our most popular bookings. Therapeutic massage is a fully customized, integrative session built around whatever you tell us is going on. 

We live to compare it to a “deep tissue” massage, which is what many come through our doors having experienced. You’ll get firm, focused work on the areas that need it, and each massage is tailored to you, not a one-size-fits-all routine.

Sports Massage

A sports massage is designed for recovery, not just relaxation. And we get a lot of that need here in the mountains! 

If you’ve been out on the trail or the slopes, this massage session goes straight to the muscles you used. It’s targeted work that helps you get back out there faster, reducing your risk of injury and speeding up your recovery. 

Relax Massage

Who doesn’t love a relaxing massage just for the sake of it? A Swedish-and-energy-integrated session is designed to slow your whole system down. 

If “Swedish massage” is the term you had in mind, this is our version of it. It’s a lighter, flowing pressure massage designed to balance mind and body. 

Ashiatsu Massage

This one’s probably our most unique offering on the massage menu. Ashiatsu is a barefoot technique where the therapist uses their feet and body weight to deliver deep, broad, consistent pressure. It may sound a bit strange, but our clients swear by Ashiatsu for treating stubborn lower back and hip pain!

Hot Stone Massage

Hot stone massage uses layered, heated stones to deliver a deeper warmth to the muscles. It’s particularly good for cold-weather muscle tension, and we see this add-on (you can add it to any session for $23) go up during the winter months.

TMJ Massage

Are you struggling with a jaw that won’t unclench or feels tight and sore? A TMJ massage is a focused, 30-minute session that uses gentle intraoral (inside-the-mouth) techniques to help ease the pain and soreness many carry in their face and jaw every day. It’s become one of our most-requested sessions since our therapists completed advanced training in it.

Prenatal Massage

We’re proud to offer this relaxing, restorative session that’s perfect for expecting clients. You can schedule this massage with a doctor’s note starting in your first trimester. We just ask that you let us know how far along you are when you book! (It makes a great gift as well!)

Couples Massage

Two people, one room, side-by-side sessions. A couples massage has become a top favorite for anniversaries, girls’ trips, and everyday, shared self-care. Availability is limited, so you’ll want to give us a call to check on scheduling.

Does Science Back Up The Benefits of Massage Therapy?

Massage is so much more than just a way to relax. Did you know that German researchers found that just 10 minutes of massage produced a significant jump in heart rate variability? You don’t need a 90-minute session to feel a real physiological shift; even a short one offers plenty of benefits.

And when it comes to recovery, studies have found that targeted massage after hard exercise substantially reduces muscle soreness. That’s the science behind our Sports Massage sessions – and it works!

The National Institutes of Health’s research has found evidence that massage helps with neck and shoulder tension, and that longer or more frequent sessions tend to work better than a single quick one.

Now, we won’t tell you massage cures everything, but as a tool for stress, soreness, and everyday tension, massage is backed by more than just tradition!

Still Not Sure? We’ll Help You Pick

Still not sure which massage is right for you? That’s completely normal — plenty of people book without ever fully deciding on their own!

Just give us a call or stop in. Tell us what’s going on (a sore lower back, a stressful week, a jaw that won’t relax, a big trip coming up), and we’ll steer you toward the right massage session for you.

You can find the full set of massage sessions available and schedule online or call us at 970-453-7793. We can’t wait to help you relax and recover!

And if someone in your life could use an hour of feeling better, gift cards are a great present they’re sure to love!

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the difference between deep tissue and Swedish massage?

We don’t use those exact names on our menu, but Therapeutic — our most popular session — is the closest match to a deep-tissue massage, since it’s a fully customized, firm-pressure session. Relax is our Swedish-style option, built for lighter, flowing relaxation.

What massage is best for sore muscles after hiking or skiing?

Sports massage is built specifically for that. Research shows that massage significantly reduces post-exercise soreness, with the greatest relief occurring 48 to 72 hours after a hard effort.

Does massage actually help with stress?

Yes — even a 10-minute massage has been shown to significantly boost heart rate variability, a real marker of your body’s relaxation response kicking in.

What is Ashiatsu massage?

A barefoot technique where your therapist uses their feet and body weight for deep, broad pressure — especially effective for lower back and hip pain.

How can I pick the right massage for me?

Tell us what’s going on when you book, online or by phone, and we’ll help match you to the right session!

Are you looking to rejuvenate and refresh now that we’re enjoying the height of summer in Breckenridge?

Now’s the time to get a massage or spa treatment on your calendar – and Breckenridge Mountain Massage & Skincare is offering new sessions this July tailored to our clients’ most-requested needs!

• Summer Facial Refresh
• Waxing services
• Intraoral TMJ massage

We’ve spent the off-season quietly building a few new ways to help you do exactly that, and this July we’re ready to share all three. Read on to learn more about our brand new offerings starting this month!

What is the Summer Facial Refresh?

We don’t have to tell you that the Breckenridge winter is hard on skin. The dry mountain air pulls out moisture, and the wind and cold roughen the surface. 

By spring, most of us are running on depleted, thirsty skin. But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered with hydrating and brightening facial treatments built to rejuvenate your skin and treat your mind before you head out into the summer sun.

For our summer season here in the rocky mountains, our estheticians recommend a hydrating facial or a brightening facial, to keep that summer glow and enhance collagen and elasticity. Our customized facial treatments feature professional products from FarmHouse Fresh, an award-winning farm-to-table skincare line made with organically grown botanicals, and Circadia – using the science of your skin’s natural daily rhythms for better repair. 

Ready to give winter-worn skin a fresh start? Book your summer facial and let us build a treatment around your goals.

Where Can You Get Waxing in Breckenridge?

Right here! We’re officially adding professional waxing to our menu. Whether you need to smooth things over before the summer or just want to cut down part of your self-care routine, you can book it all in one spot.

Our estheticians handle everything from clean brow shaping to full-body waxing, all in a comfortable, relaxed space — never rushed and never clinical.

We’re just getting started, too. Waxing is part of a larger expansion of our skincare and beauty services rolling out through 2026, so there’s more on the way. 

Getting summer-ready? Schedule your appointment and come see us.

What Is Intraoral TMJ Massage?

We might be most excited about this new service offering. 

While most massage stops at the surface of the jaw, intraoral TMJ work goes deeper by reaching muscles inside our mouth/jaw  that a standard massage can’t fully access. 

Our certified therapists target many different muscles in the jaw and neck, with focus on the masseter (the fancy name for that thick muscle along the side of your jaw that you clench with), and the pterygoids (deeper muscles that guide how your jaw opens and slides) to name a few. 

Easing tension in these areas has been shown to help release the jaw to move more comfortably – and it can relieve the tight, fatigued feeling many people carry in their jaws and face all day.

Who is intraoral TMJ massage for?

Many may be wondering if they’re a good candidate for TMJ massage. While we always recommend working with a healthcare provider to determine your specific needs, if you have the following, an intraoral TMJ massage might be great for you:

• Jaw tension, clenching, or a jaw that clicks
• Tension headaches and some migraines
• Teeth grinding, or bruxism — common in people under physical or work stress
• Neck tightness that regular massage doesn’t fully resolve
• General facial tension and tightness

TMJ dysfunction is far more common than most people realize, and it often hides in plain sight — plenty of clients never connect their nagging headaches or stiff neck to their jaw.

What happens during a session?

Every intraoral TMJ massage combines external and intraoral work, always performed by our skilled therapists with TMJ training.

Sessions are built around your specific needs, but most focus on hands-on work along the face, neck, and head, combined with precise, gloved work inside the mouth. 

It’s focused and therapeutic rather than a typical relaxation massage, and while the technique sounds unfamiliar, most clients find it surprisingly comfortable — and many notice meaningful relief within a few sessions. 

Our therapists recently completed advanced TMJ training, and it’s now part of our broader massage therapy services.

If you’ve been living with jaw pain, frequent headaches, or teeth grinding, we’d love to help. You can meet our team or book your TMJ massage session online.

Come See Us in Breck This Summer!

To the locals, athletes, visitors, and clients who keep coming back season after season — we want to say a special thank you. Caring for this community is the best part of what we do, and we don’t take it for granted. 

Summer gives us all a rare chance to enjoy the long days outside, recover, and it’s one of the best times to invest in yourself so you can rest as much as you play!

Whether that’s a TMJ session, your first wax, or a summer facial, we’d be glad to see you.

Schedule your appointment online or call us at 970-453-7793.

Frequently Asked Questions

What new services does Breckenridge Mountain Massage offer this summer?

This July, we’re introducing three new services to our existing catalog: intraoral TMJ massage, professional waxing, and hydrating and brightening facial treatments perfect for your summer refresh.

What is intraoral TMJ massage used for?

An intraoral TMJ massage targets the jaw, face, and neck muscles to help relieve clenching, teeth grinding, tension headaches, and facial tightness associated with TMJ dysfunction. Many who receive consistent TMJ massage work report stress and tension relief in their jaw, face, and other parts of their body. 

How much do our facial services cost?

You can see all of our massage and spa services online. Each one is customized to your skin and uses professional FarmHouse Fresh and Circadia products.

Where is Breckenridge Mountain Massage located, and how do I book?

You can find Breckenridge Mountain Massage at 101 N. Main St., Upstairs #5, Breckenridge, CO 80424, open 7 days a week by appointment from 9:00am–9:00pm. Book online or call 970-453-7793.