As for wearing makeup the day of, Medina-Cleghorn says that most estheticians prefer clients to come with a clean face (but don’t worry if you can’t as you’ll get a thorough cleanse either way). If you’re thinking about stacking beauty treatments back to back, opt for doing a facial first before lash extensions or any hair appointment.
How Often Should You Get a Facial?
The short answer to this: it depends on what type of facial you get. Pavitt says six to eight weeks is an ideal timeframe in between appointments. Medina-Cleghorn is a fan of getting a facial every four weeks so it aligns with the lifecycle of skin cells and allows your facialist to continue working on your skin health as old cells turn over and new skin cells emerge.
Some exceptions include special occasions, such as weddings; Pavitt tells brides to come in every month for six months before their big day to work on skin concerns such as acne or hyperpigmentation or a month or two beforehand if you just want to focus on boosting your skin’s radiance. A treatment like an oxygen facial can be a great choice day of. Medina-Cleghorn adds that those with acne-prone or oily skin might require more upkeep to clear congestion.
But there is such a thing as overdoing it. Pavitt says having too many abrasive treatments can be disruptive to the barrier, which would cause more harm down the line. Conti emphasizes the importance of talking with your esthetician so that they can get the full scope of your skin and skin concerns to help set up a treatment plan for your skin goals.
Types of Facials
Whatever your skincare goals, there’s pretty much a facial for every skin need. Some of the most common ones include:
Classic Facial
Also known as the European-style facial, Medina-Cleghorn says this is solely product-based. One that you can do at home yourself, this involves the application of serums and masks.
Chemical Peel
Using professional-strength exfoliants, a chemical peel has loads of skin benefits. It can smooth out uneven texture, brighten skin, and unclog pores for a clearer and more radiant complexion.
Microdermabrasion
This is a form of physical exfoliation to reveal brighter and smoother skin underneath. A facialist will typically hold a handheld device to gently slough away dead skin cells on the top layer to treat uneven texture and reduce the appearance of acne scars and dark spots .
Microcurrent Facial
Using devices with low-level electrical currents, this treatment stimulates your face muscles to give you firmer and more lifted skin. It can also promote collagen production, reduce the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines, and other signs of aging, and tone the skin.
HydraFacial
HydraFacial is a popular medical-grade facial that gives brighter and firmer skin. It involves three steps—exfoliate, hydrate, and boost—and has close to zero downtime.
Microneedling
One of the more invasive techniques, microneedling involves puncturing the top year with tiny needles to firm and plump the skin. This also treats uneven texture and acne scars, and helps reduce the appearance of wrinkles and stretch marks.
LED Light Therapy
To combat dullness, turn to light emitting diode (LED) light facials. It uses safe and low-level light in different wavelengths and colors to address your most pressing skin concerns, such as treating signs of anti-aging.