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

Be sure to drink lots of water afterward. Staying hydrated will prevent dehydration, flush out toxins and leave you with a healthy, glowing complexion.Proper hydration is key to maximizing the benefits of your facial! 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.

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.

4. Follow Your Esthetician's Advice

A quality home care routine is essential for boosting the life of your facial. 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.

5. Book Your Next Appointment

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 aestheticians recommend booking facials between four and six weeks apart to take advantage of the skin's natural turnover cycle.

What NOT To Do After A Facial

While there is plenty of good you can do for your skin after a facial, there is also the potential to do some damage. To keep your skin glowing, it's prudent to avoid a few common post-facial pitfalls. Here is our guide to what not to do after a facial:

1. Visit The Steam Room

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.

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 and 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.

4. Pick At Your Skin

During your facial, your esthetician will have performed necessary extractions to clear blackheads and pustules.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 scaring your complexion. During your facial, your esthetician will have performed 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.

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.