A facial feels like such a luxury. I remember being so excited to get my first facial treatment as a teenager, finally old enough to start playing in this world of skincare. Lucky for me, Teresa — skincare specialist, esthetician, and owner & operator of Professional Image Enhancement, is my mother. So I’ve been enjoying the spoils of regular facials throughout my adolescence and adulthood (when I happen to be home for a visit). They almost feel like second nature to me now.

Many of our clients have also been regular patrons of the salon, but not everyone has been previously introduced to this area of skincare, and trying to break into the world of facial treatments can be daunting.

So today we’re talking about facial prep! While chatting with Teresa about this topic, I gleaned these 5 steps to take to prepare for your first, or next, facial.

How to prepare for a facial

Step 1: Define your skincare goals

Before diving into all the fun of skincare products, ingredients, and finding yourself an esthetician, we need to cover our basics.

“The most important knowledge are the goals a client has.”

So ask yourself what is inspiring you to seek out a facial in the first place, and even skincare in general. Here are some goals you can consider:

Repairing past damage to skin
Preventing further damage from the sun and pollution
Managing dry skin and increasing hydration
Healing existing acne
Managing and preventing future acne
Reducing the appearance of acne scarring
Treating fine lines and aging skin
Preparing for aging skin
Evening skin tone

It’s when we have a clear picture of your skincare goals, that you and your esthetician can be on the same page and work together in the same direction.

Step 2: Become familiar with your current skincare products

In order for a facialist to create an effective facial treatment for you, they need to get to know your skin. One big way they do this is via a window into your at-home skincare routine. Of course this means you need to get familiar with what you’re actually using in your routine.

“The client has to be knowledgeable about what they’re using, to be open to share their routine, and what they might react to or that their skin doesn’t like. That will give me an idea of what kind of skin they have.”

First, it’s good to also make note of the types of products you’re using (cleansers, toners, serums, creams, etc), and what the product is aimed to do: an acne-fighting cleanser, an anti-aging moisturizer, an under-eye serum for dark circles. This further informs the aesthetician on your skincare goals, and they may have a good idea of what type of ingredients are likely to be a in particular type of product aimed at a particular focus.

Take some time to dig through your medicine cabinet, and take mental notes (or actual ones) of the key ingredients in the products you’re using and how often. Some ingredients to keep an eye out for are salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, and retinol.

Finally, keep in mind the products and ingredients that tend to give you bad reactions. Do acne products always leave your skin red and irritated? Do you tend to stay away from salicylic acid? Is there anything you know you’re allergic to?

All of this information is going to be very helpful for your aesthetician.

Step 3: Find a facialist

Now comes the exciting, yet daunting task of choosing a facialist. Searching “facial” for Cedar Rapids, Iowa alone, returns well over 50 businesses!

After narrowing it down by personal recommendations or those that are most conveniently located for you, there are some qualities you want to look for.

Besides being sure they have adequate education for their field, you’ll really benefit from finding a provider who focuses on personalization. If the aesthetician talks about taking the time to get to know your skin and catering their services to you and your skincare goals, then you’re in really good hands.

“They have to search for someone who is going to customize the facial for them. No book or training will train them to do that. I’m going to try and meet the needs of your skin according to what I see and what you describe to me. If you have a little acne, I will do a little to treat it.”

A combination of foundational education and a lot of experience is what culminates to provide a truly personalized facial experience.

“The bottom line is finding someone who will customize their treatment and knows the biology and anatomy of the skin to do it correctly. That is what I recommend to everybody.”

That’s exactly what Teresa has done for 30 years!

Step 4: Don’t schedule your first facial right before an event

When it comes time to schedule your appointment, avoid anything very soon before a big event: wedding, prom, photoshoot, etc. Particularly if you’ve never had a facial before. Right before an important event is the last time you want to try anything new with your face.

If you have facials regularly and enjoy a history with a facialist or aesthetician that knows your skin well, they can be more specific about the type of treatments that would be a safe choice closer to one of those big events

“Never have your first facial right before an event because you never know. If I know their skin, if they’re an existing client, we will see what kind of facial they can have before the event. This is not the time to try anything.”

Step 5: Come as you are

If in advance, you’ve spoken with your chosen aesthetician in more detail about a particular treatment, follow any instructions for products or ingredients to avoid. Otherwise you can follow your routine as normal, just be sure to include that routine in what you share during your consultation so it can be taken into consideration for your treatment.

You don’t need to worry about leaving off your makeup that day, as your facialist will take care of any makeup removal before your treatment. You’ll also be changing into a facial-appropriate robe or wrap, so your outfit is also something you don’t need to be too concerned about.

Finally, some clients are a bit nervous about sharing their skincare routine, or lack of a routine, with a professional. But rest assured your aesthetician is simply concerned with being well informed in order to provide you the best service. No judgment found here!

We hope these steps are leaving you feeling confident for your first, or next, facial treatment! Teresa at our skincare salon in Cedar Rapids would be happy to see you whether you’re a facial novice or veteran. If you’d like to get on our schedule, give us a call at (319) 373-9596 or request an appointment online.

Schedule your Facial

Facial prep FAQ

We’re sure you’ve still got some questions! Here are some common ones we get about prepping for facials. If you still have facial questions of your own, schedule a skin care consultation at our salon in Cedar Rapids by calling (319) 373-9596 or by requesting an appointment online.

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Do I need to remove my makeup before a facial?

If you have a previous engagement before your facial and would like to wear makeup, that’s perfectly fine. You don’t need to go to the trouble of avoiding it or removing it before your appointment. Your aesthetician will take care of that for you as prep for your treatment. What you can wear on your face after your facial of course depends on the type of treatment you receive. Be sure to ask your facialist about this after your appointment.

What should I avoid before a facial?

If you are planning on a treatment that is on the aggressive side, ie. a microdermabrasion or chemical peel, you want to be gentle on your skin for the week leading up to your appointment. This would involve avoiding your harsher ingredients like retinol or benzoyl peroxide. Also be sure to wear your sunscreen and protect your face from those UVBs.

If you’re having your very first facial, the aesthetician will likely want to start gentle regardless in order to start learning about your skin and to see how it reacts.

Regardless of what you’re using at home, a knowledgable aesthetician can put together a facial treatment that will be a compliment. The bottom line is to be very clear about what you’re already using so your facialist can plan accordingly, and always talk with your specific treatment provider about any details.

How should I wear my hair for a facial?

At your facial, your aesthetician will use a cloth or paper headband to wrap all the way around your hairline. You’ll also be laying on your back. So, well-involved updo’s will likely be inconvenient, and if you’ve spent time slaving over a curling iron, you may be disappointed after laying on your hairstyle for 45+ minutes. Casual is better here. Hair down or in a low ponytail will be just fine.

What should I wear to a facial?

After your initial consultation and it comes time for your actual treatment, you will be provided a towel, robe, or wrap to change into. So the clothes you wear to your appointment aren’t particularly important. But perhaps opt for something that’s easier to get in and out of. This may be the time to pass over the full lace-up boots or that dress with a zipper in the back that you can’t quite reach.

How to prepare for a facial

How to prepare for a facial

Step 1: Define your skincare goals

Step 2: Become familiar with your current skincare products

Step 3: Find a facialist

Step 4: Don’t schedule your first facial right before an event

Step 5: Come as you are

Facial prep FAQ