Spa facials have major benefits for your skin’s health. They remove impurities, promote new cell turnover and support your skin’s moisture barrier. Plus, facials leave you with a seriously covetable glow. The question is: How do you keep that glow going? Follow these dos and don’ts to prolong the life of your next facial treatment.
What to do after a facial?
The immediate effects of a facial typically last between five and seven days. During this time, skin looks and feels plump, hydrated and radiant. To extend your results, keep these aftercare steps in mind:
1. Keep Skin Hydrated
Proper hydration is key to maximizing the benefits of your facial. Our Product Support Representatives advise: “Be sure to drink lots of water afterward. Staying hydrated will prevent dehydration, flush out toxins and leave you with a healthy, glowing complexion.”
“Be sure to drink lots of water afterward. Staying hydrated will prevent dehydration, flush out toxins and leave you with a healthy, glowing complexion.”
When you are sufficiently hydrated, your skin cells function more effectively and are better able to eliminate toxins, absorb nutrients and help you retain your post-facial radiance. In addition to drinking plenty of water, increase your intake of fresh fruits and vegetables and apply a daily moisturizer to maintain your glow.
2. Exfoliate Weekly
While we advise against exfoliating immediately after your facial (ouch!), we do recommend adding this step to your weekly skin care routine. Continuing to exfoliate at home will keep your skin soft and smooth as well as prevent oil and dead skin from building up and dulling your complexion. Be delicate with your freshly buffed skin: Wait two to three days before exfoliating and choose a gentle scrub such as Eminence Organics Strawberry Rhubarb Dermafoliant, Stone Crop Oxygenating Fizzofoliant™ or VitaSkin™ Exfoliating Peels.
3. Use a Vitamin C Serum
Environmental stressors pose the greatest threat to your fresh complexion. Extreme temperatures and air pollution can suck the life out of your skin, contributing to dullness, dehydration and the development of fine lines and wrinkles. To protect the effects of your facial, our Product Support Representatives recommend adding a Vitamin C Serum to your skin care routine. Not only does this superstar ingredient brighten dull skin and boost collagen production, it also battles wrinkles and fights damaging free radicals. Vitamin C is able to keep the skin looking balanced, toned and radiant, even after you’ve left the sanctuary of your favorite spa.
4. Follow Your Esthetician’s Advice
A quality home care routine is essential for boosting the life of your facial. Celebrity facialist Joanna Vargas tells 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 to bring it back to baseline.” Work with your esthetician to develop a skin care routine that is customized for your specific skin type, concerns and skin care goals. Following their expert advice can do wonders for maintaining your skin’s health between spa appointments.
The best skin care routines pair at-home products with in-spa treatments. In fact, many dermatologists liken visits to the spa to trips to the dentist: Professional treatments provide the extra care and expertise needed to enhance your everyday routine. Together, at-home and in-spa treatments set your skin up for optimal health and vitality. Most estheticians recommend booking facials between four and six weeks apart to take advantage of the skin’s natural turnover cycle. At minimum, Josie suggests quarterly treatments to maintain your skin’s health and address its specific needs as the seasons change.
What NOT to do after a facial
A trip to the steam room may seem like the perfect way to round out a blissful spa day, but your best bet is to steer clear. Your skin has already been exposed to plenty of steam during your facial, and adding on could lead to irritation and broken capillaries. Hitting the gym is another no-go: increased heat and sweat can also irritate your freshly exfoliated skin, causing redness and inflammation. Instead, take advantage of spa amenities pre-facial and leave steam management to your esthetician.
2. Wax, Shave, or have Laser Hair Removal
Hair removal and facials don’t mix. While it may be convenient to book a wax, shave or laser treatment along with your facial, it’s best to spread out your appointments. Most facials involve deep exfoliation with professional peels to shed old skin cells and bring new cells to the surface. Having a hair removal treatment immediately after your facial runs the risk of over-exfoliating and burning your fresh complexion. To avoid discomfort and damage, experts advise spacing your hair removal appointments between 24 and 48 hours before or after your facial treatment.
3. Sunbathe
While we strongly recommend protecting your skin from UV rays every day (yes, even in winter!), this is especially true after a facial. Your freshly scrubbed skin is particularly susceptible to sun damage post-treatment and its vulnerable surface can easily burn. Moreover, exposing your skin to the sun puts you at risk for melanoma and accelerates the development of fine lines and wrinkles. After a facial, always apply a sunscreen or moisturizer with SPF 30 or higher to minimize potential damage.
4. Pick at your Skin
It may be tempting to pop and pick your pimples, but it’s best to keep your hands off post-treatment. Every time you squeeze or touch a blemish, you run the risk of spreading bacteria and scarring your complexion.
During your facial, your esthetician will have performed the necessary extractions to clear blackheads and pustules. If any blemishes are left behind, it is because they are not close enough to the surface to extract safely. Further picking and prodding will only do damage; your best course of action is to leave them be and book a follow-up appointment with your facialist for further extractions.
5. Use At-Home Peels or Retinol
Give your skin a week to heal before using potent at-home treatments like peels and retinol-based products. Your skin is particularly sensitive after a facial, and harsh, potentially irritating products can do more damage than good. Rest assured that your esthetician has exfoliated your skin to the max and is focused instead on protecting your skin’s moisture barrier with nourishing facial oils, rich moisturizers and deeply hydrating mask treatments. Our pick: Blend Rosehip Triple C+E Firming Oil with Coconut Age Corrective Moisturizer for long-lasting moisture.
Ready to put these after facial do’s and don’ts into action? Book your next facial treatment at Hotel Le Germain or Fairmont Palliser.