Q. I just received a card announcing that my massage therapist has started offering facials. Is this common?

A. Yes, it’s becoming more common for massage therapists to cross-train as skin care professionals, according to Carol Venclik, director of spa therapies for the massage program at the Atlanta School of Massage.

“As practitioners look for ways to offer more services to their clients and give their own bodies a break from the demands of massage therapy, they’re turning to esthetics,” she says. “There are a couple of paths massage therapists can take. The first option is for a massage therapist to take continuing education classes to study facial massage techniques. They then offer their services as facial massage, not a facial, because the emphasis is on the musculature of the face. These offerings are rejuvenating to say the least. Three cutting edge options are Belavi Face Lift Massage, Golden Spoon Facial Massage, and Japanese Facial Massage.

“The second option — and evidently the one your practitioner followed — is for massage therapists to study esthetics and become dual-certified. This way they can perform a wide range of skin treatments and help clients select products that complement their skin type. And, of course, they can still provide you with that quality massage you’ve come to appreciate.

“Congratulations, your therapist — and now esthetician — has just opened up a whole new world of wellness for you.”