Engaging in spa facials offers numerous advantages for your skin’s overall health. These treatments effectively eliminate impurities, encourage the turnover of new skin cells, and bolster your skin’s moisture barrier. As a delightful bonus, facials can leave your complexion with an enviable glow. However, maintaining that glow requires some effort. What actions should you take or avoid leading up to your facial? We have compiled a comprehensive list of dos and don’ts to help you extend the benefits of your next facial treatment.

Before A Facial | After A Facial

Essential Dos and Don’ts for Optimal Facial Preparation

Proper preparation for your facial is vital to maximize the benefits it provides. While facials are known for their revitalizing effects on the skin, a little groundwork can significantly enhance your experience. Here are some crucial guidelines to ensure your skin is primed for this rejuvenating treatment:

Do:

Limit Sun Exposure for Skin Protection

It’s advisable to minimize your sun exposure in the days leading up to your facial appointment. Sunburned skin tends to be overly sensitive and may require you to avoid particular products or techniques typically employed during a facial. By protecting your skin from harmful UV rays, you ensure it is in the best possible condition to receive the nourishing treatments your facial will provide.

Gently Cleanse & Skip Harsh Scrubs

When preparing your skin for a facial, opt for gentle cleansers and steer clear of abrasive scrubs or harsh exfoliants at least 48 hours beforehand. This precaution helps prevent any micro-abrasions or irritation that could be aggravated during the facial treatment. A gentle cleansing routine will help maintain your skin’s integrity and ensure it is receptive to the revitalizing effects of the facial.

Stay Hydrated for Enhanced Skin Health

Maintaining adequate hydration in the days prior to your facial is essential for optimal skin condition. Drinking plenty of water helps keep your skin plump, hydrated, and responsive to the treatments you will receive. Hydrated skin is not only more elastic, but it also absorbs nutrients better, enhancing the overall effectiveness of your facial. Remember to complement your hydration efforts by increasing your intake of fresh fruits and vegetables.

Don’t:

Avoid Retinol and Strong Active Ingredients

Steer clear of using retinol and other potent active ingredients in the days leading up to your facial. These products can sensitize your skin, increasing the risk of irritation during your treatment. By giving your skin a break from such strong ingredients, you allow it to be in a more balanced state, ensuring a more comfortable and effective facial experience.

Refrain from Waxing or Shaving

It’s best to avoid waxing or shaving your face at least 24 to 48 hours before your facial. These hair removal methods can leave your skin vulnerable to irritation when certain facial techniques and products are applied. Keeping your skin intact ensures that your facial can be performed safely and effectively without unnecessary discomfort.

Skip Other Skin Treatments Before Your Facial

Be cautious about scheduling other aggressive skin care treatments, such as chemical peels or laser therapy, close to your facial appointment. These procedures can leave your skin overly sensitive and may make a facial too harsh for your freshly treated complexion. To achieve the best results, allow your skin time to recover from any previous treatments before indulging in a facial.

Arrive with Minimal Makeup

Going without makeup on the day of your facial is highly recommended. This practice minimizes the time your esthetician needs to spend cleaning your skin, allowing for an immediate focus on therapeutic and moisturizing steps that enhance your overall experience. Arriving with clean, bare skin sets the stage for optimal treatment and results.

By adhering to these straightforward dos and don’ts, you can fully enjoy your facial appointment, ensuring your skin is well-prepared to absorb all the pampering and benefits of professional skin care treatments. Now, let’s explore what to do after your facial to prolong your results.

Maximize Your Results: What To Do After A Facial

The immediate benefits of your facial can last between five to seven days, during which your skin will appear plump, hydrated, and radiant. To extend these fantastic results, keep the following aftercare steps in mind:

Ensure Proper Skin Hydration

Maintaining proper hydration is crucial for maximizing the benefits of your facial. Our Product Support Representatives emphasize the importance of drinking plenty of water afterward, stating: “Staying hydrated will flush out toxins and leave you with a healthy, glowing complexion.”

When adequately hydrated, your skin cells perform better, enabling them to effectively eliminate impurities, absorb essential nutrients, and retain that post-facial radiance. In addition to drinking water, consider increasing your intake of fresh fruits and vegetables and applying a daily moisturizer to sustain your glow.

Incorporate Weekly Exfoliation

While we advise against exfoliating immediately after your facial (ouch!), it’s beneficial to add this step to your weekly skin care regimen. Regular exfoliation helps keep your skin soft and smooth while preventing oil and dead skin buildup that can dull your complexion. However, be gentle with your freshly treated skin: wait two to three days before exfoliating again, and choose a mild scrub like Eminence Organics Strawberry Rhubarb Dermafoliant, Stone Crop Oxygenating Fizzofoliant™, or VitaSkin™ Exfoliating Peels.

Utilize a Vitamin C Serum for Protection

Environmental stressors can significantly threaten your fresh complexion. Factors like extreme temperatures and air pollution can strip vitality from your skin, leading to dullness, dehydration, and the emergence of fine lines and wrinkles. To safeguard the results of your facial, our Product Support Representatives recommend incorporating a vitamin C serum into your skin care routine. This remarkable ingredient not only brightens dull skin and boosts collagen production but also combats wrinkles and neutralizes damaging free radicals. By integrating vitamin C, you can keep your skin looking balanced, toned, and radiant long after leaving your favorite spa.

Follow Your Esthetician’s Expert Guidance

A quality home care routine is vital for enhancing the longevity of your facial results. Renowned facialist Joanna Vargas shares with Refinery29: “Following up at home with a great routine designed by your facialist always extends the results of the facial for the month to come. Use the facial as your chance to take your skin to the next level, not simply bring it back to baseline.” Collaborate with your esthetician to establish a personalized skin care regimen that caters to your specific skin type, concerns, and goals. Adhering to their professional advice can make a significant difference in maintaining your skin’s health between spa visits.

Schedule Your Next Facial Appointment for Consistent Care

For the best results, an effective skin care routine combines high-quality at-home products with regular in-spa treatments. Many dermatologists equate spa visits to dental check-ups—professional treatments provide the added care and expertise necessary to enhance your daily routine. Together, at-home and in-spa treatments prepare your skin for optimal health and vitality. Most estheticians recommend scheduling facials every four to six weeks to align with your skin’s natural turnover cycle. At the very least, Josie suggests quarterly treatments to maintain your skin’s health and to address its specific needs as the seasons change.

Key Actions to Avoid After Your Facial

While there are numerous beneficial actions you can take after a facial, certain practices can be damaging. To keep your skin glowing, it’s wise to steer clear of a few common post-facial mistakes. Here’s our comprehensive guide on what not to do after a facial:

Avoid the Steam Room for Skin Health

A visit to the steam room might feel like the perfect way to complete a relaxing spa day, but it’s best to avoid it. Your skin has already been exposed to enough steam during your facial, and additional exposure could lead to irritation and broken capillaries. Engaging in gym activities post-facial is also discouraged, as increased heat and sweating can irritate your freshly exfoliated skin, resulting in redness and inflammation. Instead, take advantage of spa amenities prior to your facial, and leave steam management in the hands of your esthetician.

Delay Waxing, Shaving, or Laser Hair Removal

Hair removal treatments and facials do not mix well. Although it may be convenient to schedule a wax, shave, or laser treatment immediately following your facial, it’s wise to space out these appointments. Most facials involve deep exfoliation with professional peels to eliminate old skin cells and reveal fresh ones. Having hair removal treatments right after your facial poses the risk of over-exfoliating and damaging your delicate complexion. To avoid discomfort and harm, experts recommend waiting at least 24 to 48 hours before or after your facial for hair removal.

Avoid Sunbathing for Skin Safety

While we strongly advocate for daily sun protection (yes, even in winter!), this is particularly critical after a facial. Your freshly treated skin is especially vulnerable to sun damage, and its sensitive surface can easily burn. Additionally, sun exposure increases your risk of melanoma and accelerates the formation of fine lines and wrinkles. After your facial, always apply a sunscreen or moisturizer with SPF 30 or higher to safeguard against potential damage.

Refrain from Picking at Your Skin

It might be tempting to pop and pick at blemishes, but it’s crucial to keep your hands off your skin after treatment. Each time you squeeze or touch a pimple, you risk spreading bacteria and causing scarring on your complexion. During your facial, your esthetician will have performed the necessary extractions to clear blackheads and pustules. If any blemishes remain, it’s likely they are not ready to be safely extracted. Further picking will only cause damage; your best approach is to leave them alone and schedule a follow-up appointment with your facialist for additional extractions.

Hold Off on At-Home Peels and Retinol Treatments

Allow your skin at least a week to recover before using potent at-home treatments such as peels and retinol-based products. Post-facial, your skin remains particularly sensitive. Harsh products, like retinol, may do more harm than good at this time. Your esthetician has already exfoliated your skin thoroughly and is focused on protecting its moisture barrier with nourishing facial oils, rich moisturizers, and deeply hydrating mask treatments. Our suggestion: combine Rosehip Triple C+E Firming Oil with Coconut Age Corrective Moisturizer for lasting hydration.

Ready to implement these essential after-facial dos and don’ts? Schedule your next facial treatment at an Eminence Organics Spa Partner near you.