Facial treatment after-care
So you’ve just had a facial treatment!
Feeling relaxed? Rejuvenated?
We hope so!
We recently shared a blog post on How to prepare for a facial that shared 5 steps to prepare for your first, or next, facial.
Well, as a natural companion to that post, today we’re sharing what logically happens next: facial treatment after-care!
Whether it was your first or your hundredth trip to the skincare salon, there are some steps you may need to follow after your treatment.
Let’s dive in!
Facial Treatment After-Care
Gentle, or exfoliating?
First things first, we need to establish what kind of treatment you received: something gentle, or something exfoliating?
Gentle
If you didn’t receive a specific treatment and opted for something like a basic cleansing facial, a hydrating facial, or a relaxing facial, then you likely fall in this category. A gentle facial is going to use gentle products that are safe for most skin types. The aim of these facials is usually to calm the skin, or to add hydration.
Exfoliating
An exfoliating treatment would include microdermabrasion or a chemical peel. These kinds of treatments are designed to remove the outer-most layer of your skin, revealing new, healthy, and glowing skin underneath. This also promotes collagen production, which over time, can heal some skin damage, reduce wrinkles, and overall help achieve a younger looking appearance. In addition, it can also promote healing for existing acne as it encourages the skin to turnover new cells.
Gentle facial after-care
Since a gentle facial treatment uses gentle products, you can likely expect to return to your typical skincare routine. You shouldn’t expect to experience any negative side effects like irritation or redness.
If you know you have particularly sensitive skin, you may want to keep an eye out for any unexpected reactions, even if your facialist only used gentle products. Be sure to discuss any of your concerns about potential reactions due to sensitive skin with your facialist during your consultation.
And lastly, keep your skin out of the sun. You should be protecting against sun exposure always, but definitely after a facial. You don’t want to dull your newly glowing and dewy skin! Wear hats and apply a light sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher. Your facialist may end your treatment by applying an SPF product, but you’ll want to reapply throughout the day and in the days that follow. Ask your facialist after your treatment for a specific sunscreen recommendation based on your skin type.
After care for a gentle or hydrating facial
Return to your normal skincare routine
Protect your skin against sun exposure
Report any unexpected reactions to your facialist
Exfoliating treatment after-care
If you received an exfoliating treatment during your facial, such as a micro peel or microdermabrasion, you can expect there to be some side effects afterwards.
You may experience some pinkness or redness and some irritation. You may even expect to have some peeling, depending on the strength of your treatment and your skin type. These side effects may take a day or more to appear.
Your facialist may have provided you with a nourishing moisturizer or calming balm to help mitigate your skin’s irritation. Be sure to use this as needed and as instructed by your provider.
A couple of our favorites are the Redness Rescue by MAD and Redness Neutralizer by SkinCeuticals. Our skincare specialist, Teresa, often recommends these products for after a microdermabrasion or chemical peel.
Redness Rescue by MAD Skincare
Redness Neutralizer by SkinCeutials
Because of the intensity of the exfoliating treatment, your skin is more sensitive than normal. As a result, you will want to avoid any additional exfoliation.
Identify any exfoliants you may be using in your routine by their title or description, or by their ingredients, and refrain from using them for 2-3 days. Some exfoliating ingredients to look out for are:
Glycolic acid
Tea tree oil
Benzoyl peroxide
Retinol
Micro-beads
Salicylic acid
As a general rule, most acne fighting products will contain exfoliants, so look at the ingredient label.
If there’s a product or ingredient you’re unsure of, you can always ask your facialist at your appointment, or give them a call after returning home and having a closer look at your medicine cabinet.
Exactly how long you should avoid using exfoliating products after your treatment will vary, so discuss the specifics with your skincare specialist.
Finally, protect your skin from the sun, especially after an exfoliating treatment. Your skin will be more vulnerable than normal, so cover up and wear a sunscreen approved or recommended by your treatment provider.
After-care for an exfoliating facial treatment
Identify any exfoliating products in your routine, and avoid them for 2-3 days
Treat any expected irritation with a calming product like MAD’s Redness Rescue or SkinCeuticals’ Redness Neutralizer
Protect your skin from sun exposure
Report any unexpected reactions or extensive irritation to your facialist
Discuss expectations with your facialist
The best way to define your particular facial after-care is to discuss the specifics of your treatment, your skin, and what you can expect.
It’s always beneficial to ask your facialist about the specific treatment you’ll be receiving. A good facialist will be proactive in this area, and let you know not only what to expect during and after your treatment, but how exactly the treatments or products work on your skin. In our Cedar Rapids skincare salon, we value educating our clients, and explaining our treatments is a big part of that.
An ongoing relationship with a skincare specialist is a big benefit here. This ensures your facialist knows and understands your skin well and how it reacts to specific products and treatments. This understanding informs recommendations for the treatments best-suited to achieve the skincare results you’re looking for. Familiarity with your skin also aids your provider in crafting an after-care plan best suited for you.
Is this reaction normal after a facial?
As mentioned above, an exfoliating treatment like microdermabrasion or a chemical peel, can leave you with some redness or irritation, but how do you know if what you’re experiencing is normal?
First, talk with your facialist directly after your treatment. In addition to asking for what you can expect after the particular facial you received, ask specifically when you should worry or when to call them. Their guidelines can help keep you at ease as your skin responds to your treatment.
Most of the time, you shouldn’t have anything to worry about. But it’s always good to be prepared, especially if this is your first time seeing an esthetician.
In general, if you start to experience itchiness, excessive redness, or your skin starts feeling really warm, it is probably time to call your skincare specialist and let them know what’s going on. You may be having a bad reaction to an ingredient you weren’t aware you were allergic to. Your facialist can give you instructions and may have a specialized product to suggest depending on what was used during your treatment.
Again, this isn’t a common occurrence. And when in doubt, don’t hesitate to contact your facialist. They’re the expert and will be happy to advise you.
Facial after-care summary
The exact steps to follow for your facial treatment after-care will depend on your specific treatment and skin type. Discuss the specifics of your treatment and what to expect when you get home in the days to come. Be sure to follow their advice and instructions above all!
Here is a summary of the general post-facial guidance we’ve discussed above:
Discuss your treatment with your skincare specialist and what you can expect during and after facial
If you received an exfoliating facial treatment, refrain from using exfoliating products in your at-home skincare routine for 2-3 days or as directed by your facialist
If you experience normal irritation after a microdermabrasion or chemical peel, you can apply a soothing skin product like MAD’s Redness Rescue or SkinCeuticals’ Redness Neutralizer to calm the skin at home
If you did not have an exfoliating treatment, return to your skincare routine as normal
Protect your skin from sun exposure, regardless of the type of facial, but especially after an exfoliating treatment
Regardless of the treatment you received, if you experience a side effect or reaction you didn’t expect, always call your facialist to discuss it
Most importantly, listen to and follow the specific guidance from your facialist, and call them if you have any questions or concerns
Ready to get your own facial? We’ll be happy to see you in the salon!