Professional facial treatments are an excellent way to nourish your skin while taking some much-needed “me” time. To ensure you get the best possible results, it’s important to prepare your skin before the facial and take special care afterward. Whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned pro, this guide provides valuable information about what to do before and after a facial to have an excellent experience and achieve healthy, glowing skin.
Preparing for Your Facial: What to Do Before
Preparing for your treatment can ensure a positive facial experience and maximize the benefits. The first step is understanding what to expect before and during your appointment.
Understanding the Facial Process
If this is your first facial, you may not realize that you’ll most likely be asked to get undressed (down to your underwear) and put on a robe, even if you aren’t there for a body treatment. If you’re comfortable with it, you can also take off your bra, which will make it easier for your aesthetician to apply serums and other products to your décolletage.
Most facials include cleansing, exfoliation, steaming, extractions, product application, and facial massage, though this can vary depending on the treatment you get. You’ll have time to speak to your aesthetician about your skin concerns and regular skincare routine. This is a great time to ask any questions about the treatment process.
For a Glo₂Facial, you can expect a consultation to identify your needs, followed by a three-step treatment that provides oxygenation, exfoliation and nourishment, and sculpting. Glo₂Facial's unique method of exfoliation does not include any pulling or tugging on the skin so it is suitable and comfortable for all skin types. The ultrasound step provides a gentle warming and soothing sensation that helps skin absorb the active ingredients from the serum. The massage step provides a tension-relieving vibration-based massage to encourage stress in the face to fall away.
Read also: Learn how spa therapy can enhance your overall health.
Pre-Facial Dos and Don’ts
There are several things you should (and shouldn’t!) do before a facial. Follow these tips to ensure you get the most out of your professional facial treatment.
Dos:
- Wash your face gently so you arrive with clean skin. Your provider needs a clean slate to work with.
- Continue with your normal morning skincare routine, except for masks, peels, or deep exfoliation. It’s fine to moisturize and use sunscreen, but skip any treatments as these may interact negatively with your facial.
- Create a list of the skincare products and ingredients you’re currently using. This helps your aesthetician understand your current skincare habits and make recommendations or adjustments to improve your routine.
- Let your provider know what skincare concerns you have. This will help them create a targeted treatment that gives you the results you want.
- Consider taking a shower before your appointment. This helps open your pores and also ensures you arrive at your most hygienic.
- Drink plenty of water so you’re well hydrated, but not so much that you have to run to the bathroom in the middle of your appointment!
- Take some time to relax so you don’t go into your appointment stressed out. Facials are just as much about relaxing self-care as they are about healthy skin.
- Speak up if you’re nervous. Your provider’s goal is to give you a great experience, and they can talk you through the process or answer any questions to put you at ease.
Don’ts:
- Wear makeup to your appointment. Your aesthetician can’t treat your skin until your face is clean.
- Make changes to your skincare routine a week or sooner before your appointment. If you change up your routine, you won’t know if your post-facial results are because of the treatment or one of the changes you made.
- Do any intensive or invasive skincare treatments, like facial masks, peels or peel-off masks, or exfoliating treatments. Also, make sure to stop using chemical exfoliants and potential irritants a week or so before your treatment. This can irritate the skin when combined with facial treatments.
- Shave or wax any treatment areas like brows, face, lips, legs, or bikini line. You don’t want to make your skin extra sensitive before a professional facial or body treatment.
- Forget to tell your aesthetician about any medications you’re taking and any allergies you have. Your provider must know about any potential issues before they get started.
- Schedule your appointment too close to a major event. Depending on the type of treatment you get, you could experience redness or peeling for a few days after. Book your appointment about five to seven days before your event.
- Drink caffeine too close to your appointment time. It can cause facial twitching or make it hard to relax.
Post-Facial Care: What to Do After
Some facials, such as laser treatments or chemical peels, require downtime afterward. This can be anywhere from 24 hours to two weeks. During this time, your skin will be red and possibly peeling, so it’s a good idea to clear your calendar of any social events for that time period.
If you’d prefer not to hide your face for days after a facial, you can choose treatments like Glo₂Facial, which are gentle, non-invasive, and require no downtime. If you see any redness after your treatment, it will be slight and fade quickly.
Post-Facial Dos and Don’ts
No matter what treatment you get, you can follow the post-facial dos and don’ts below to ensure excellent, long-lasting results.
Dos:
- Drink plenty of water to keep yourself hydrated and help flush out toxins.
- Try not to touch your face or other treated areas, and skip any at-home facial massage. Your skin may be sensitive, so a hands-off approach is best.
- Avoid makeup for at least the rest of the day. While this isn’t 100% necessary, applying makeup right after a facial is not ideal and may clog your recently deep-cleaned pores.
- Wait at least two to three days before using skincare treatments or products that could irritate your skin or increase skin sensitivity. That means no toners, exfoliants, new products, or acne treatments. You should also avoid products with vitamin C and retinol.
- Stay out of direct sunlight and avoid high heat. Some products used during your treatment may make you more sensitive to the sun.
- Take some time to relax and let your skin rest. This isn’t a requirement for Geneo treatments, but it’s still nice to continue the relaxing spa vibe for the rest of the day.
- Make sure to use a clean pillowcase and clean towels. This will help keep dirt and oils out of your pores.
Don’ts:
- Wash your face or take a shower until at least six hours after your treatment. The serums and treatments need to have time to absorb into your skin completely.
- Forget to use sunscreen with noncomedogenic ingredients. Sunscreen is always a must, but make sure your post-facial sunscreen is noncomedogenic, meaning it won’t clog your pores.
- Exercise right after your treatment. Sweating will remove the serums that are still being absorbed into your skin.
- Swim or apply water or steam to your face until at least six hours after your treatment. As with exercise and sweating, applying water or steam will remove the skincare products before they’re fully absorbed.
- Pick at your skin. While you should never do this, it’s especially important to avoid it after a facial when your skin is at its most sensitive.
- Wax, shave, or pluck hair in the treated area for at least a few days after treatment, as this can inflame your hair follicles.
- Forget to follow the post-facial care instructions provided by your esthetician. Your provider knows the best way to care for your skin based on the procedures and products used during your treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions About Facials
Below are answers to commonly asked questions about professional facial treatments.
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What should I do to my skin before a facial?
Before your facial treatment, make sure you remove any makeup and wash your face, drink plenty of water to hydrate your skin, and avoid shaving or waxing any treatment areas.
What activities should you avoid after a facial?
After your facial, allow at least six hours before exercising, swimming, or wearing makeup. While Geneo treatments don’t require downtime, following this guideline will ensure your freshly cleaned pores stay free of impurities.
How long do results last after a facial?
A Glo₂Facial gives your skin an initial glow that lasts for several days. The treatment will continue doing important work beneath the skin’s surface (e.g., boosting collagen production and oxygenation) for approximately four weeks as your skin moves through its natural regeneration cycle.
Additional Post-Facial Tips for Days 1-7
To prolong the results of your facial treatment, here are some additional tips to follow in the days after your appointment:
Day 1: Immediate Aftercare
- Avoid Picking at Your Skin: Your skin is especially sensitive after a facial. Refrain from picking at any blackheads or whiteheads to prevent irritation and potential scarring.
- Skip Heavy Makeup and Skincare Products: Give your skin a break from makeup and heavy products for a day or so, as your pores are more open and susceptible to bacteria.
- Go Easy on Your Face When Washing It: Use gentle, hydrating cleansers to avoid disrupting the skin barrier.
- Skip the Toner: Avoid toners, especially those that are alcohol-based or contain exfoliating ingredients, as they can cause irritation or dryness.
- Resist the Sauna: Stay away from hot rooms of any kind for at least a day, as your skin has already been steamed to the max during your facial.
- Rethink That Post-Facial Massage: If you’re treating yourself to a full spa day, get a massage before your facial to avoid rubbing your delicate post-facial skin against the massage table.
- Reschedule Your Workout: Wait at least a day to work out, as increased heat in the skin and sweat can irritate your freshly exfoliated skin.
Days 2 and 3: Gentle Care
- Lay Off Any Exfoliators or Face Scrubs: Over-exfoliating can damage your skin’s protective layer and lead to inflammation.
- Stay Away From Acne Products and Other At-Home Treatments: Avoid harsh, potentially irritating products like retinols, at-home peels, and cleansers and toners with salicylic acid.
- Stay Out of the Sun: Your skin is more sensitive and vulnerable to the sun’s harmful rays after being exfoliated.
Days 4-7: Continued Protection
- Postpone Any Wax or Laser Treatments on Your Face: Wait at least a week before undergoing any hair-removal procedures on your face.
What to Expect Long-Term
Facials aren’t just about pampering-they’re a powerful way to reset your skin and work toward lasting transformation.
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The Importance of Hydration
Hydration is essential to healthy, glowing skin. While facials hydrate your skin, drinking plenty of water (about two liters per day) ensures your skin stays refreshed from the inside out. If you struggle to drink enough water, opt for hydrating fruits and vegetables like watermelon or cucumbers to supplement your intake.
Maintaining Moisture
After exfoliating during your facial, your skin’s surface is more vulnerable. Applying a gentle moisturizer helps lock in hydration and restores the natural oils your skin may have lost.
Sun Protection
Exposed skin is more prone to sunburn and damage after a facial. To keep your skin safe from harmful UV rays, apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher. Consistently using sunscreen is vital to preventing premature aging and skin damage, especially after a facial treatment.
Gentle Cleansing
Post-facial, your skin may be sensitive. Avoid using harsh cleansers or products that could irritate your skin. Stick to mild, soothing cleansers and wash your face with lukewarm water rather than hot water to prevent any unnecessary irritation.
Personalized Skincare Routine
Your esthetician will offer personalized guidance based on your skin type and goals. To prolong the results of your facial, follow their advice and establish a home skincare routine tailored to your needs.
Regular Facials
For the best skin results, combine at-home care with regular facials. Most professionals recommend facials every 4 to 6 weeks, aligning with your skin’s natural turnover cycle.
Understanding Chemical Peels
A chemical peel, also known as chemexfoliation or dermapeeling, uses a chemical solution to improve the appearance of your skin. In this treatment, a chemical solution is applied to your skin, which causes trauma or injury to your skin’s layers. The skin layers eventually peel off revealing more youthful skin. The new skin is usually smoother with fewer lines and wrinkles, has a more even color and is brighter in complexion.
What Conditions Do Chemical Peels Treat?
Chemical peels are used to treat certain skin conditions or to improve your appearance by improving the tone and texture of your skin. Chemical peels are most commonly performed on your face, neck or hands. They can help reduce or improve:
- Fine lines under your eyes or around your mouth and wrinkling caused by sun damage, aging and hereditary factors.
- Certain types of acne.
- Mild scarring.
- Sun spots, age spots, liver spots, freckles, uneven skin coloring.
- Precancerous scaly spots called actinic keratosis.
- Rough skin, scaly patches, dull complexion.
- Dark patches (melasma) due to pregnancy or taking birth control pills.
You will work with your dermatologist to determine the depth of your peel. This joint decision can vary depending upon the condition of your skin and the objectives of treatment. Sags, bulges, deep scars, deep facial lines and more severe wrinkles don’t respond well to chemical peels. If these are your concerns, other cosmetic surgical procedures, such as carbon dioxide laser resurfacing, a face lift, brow lift, eye lift or soft tissue filler will be better options. A dermatologic surgeon can help determine the best treatment for your concerns.
Is a Chemical Peel Good for All Skin Types?
Generally, superficial peels can be used on all skin types. However, if you have a darker skin tone, you have a greater risk of experiencing a darkening of your skin after treatment. This condition is called post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.