What To Expect Before and After Facial Treatments

Professional facial treatments are an excellent way to nourish your skin while taking some much-needed “me” time. You can ensure you get the best possible results by preparing your skin before the facial and taking special care after.

So, what does that look like? We’ve got all the details here. Whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned pro, you’ll find valuable information about what to do before and after a facial to have an excellent experience and get healthy, glowing skin.

Before: How to Prepare for a Facial

You can ensure you have a positive facial experience and get maximum benefits by preparing for your treatment. The first step is understanding what to expect before and during your appointment.

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.

Now that you have an idea of what to expect before and during your facial, it’s time to jump into the details of how to prepare your skin prior to treatment. Read on for a comprehensive list of dos and don’ts before a facial.

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.

After: What to Do After a Facial

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.

Before and After Facial FAQs

Below are answers to commonly asked questions about professional facial treatments.

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.

The Best Facial Treatment with No Down Time Required

Getting a Glo₂Facial is a fantastic investment in your skin’s health. You’ll see the best results with pre- and post-facial care. Before your facial, wash your face, make sure you’re hydrated, and skip any at-home treatments. Afterward, avoid sweating or wearing makeup for at least six hours, use a clean pillowcase, and follow any post-treatment instructions from your provider.

To experience a gentle, effective facial with no downtime, find a Glo₂Facial provider and book a facial treatment today.