What to do before a facial: the facial encyclopedia part 2

If you’ve never had a spa facial (or even if you have), you may not know what to do before a facial. We’re going in-depth with this article on what you should wear to a facial, what you should do the week before and the day of your treatment. It isn’t difficult to prepare for a facial, but there are a few tips you should follow to ensure you get optimum, long-lasting results from your facial treatment.

What to wear to a facial

One of the most common questions people have about a pro facial is what to wear. There’s a simple answer to this question: wear whatever makes you comfortable! Realistically it doesn’t matter too much what you wear, but you should remember that changing back into tight or uncomfortable clothes after your facial might not be the best way to end such a relaxing service. We recommend wearing clothes that are easy to change in and out of, but if you’re coming straight from work or an event don’t sweat it.

Should you wash your face before a facial? There’s no need – you can show up to your facial with your makeup still on, since your esthetician will just remove it all during the cleansing portion of the facial. The cleansing portion of the facial occurs even if you aren’t wearing makeup, so arriving with makeup on won’t take away any time from the treatment.

Once you arrive, your esthetician will give you a robe to cover up so you can take off as much clothing as you feel comfortable. However, you should always remove your shirt so your esthetician can access your face, neck, and shoulders. You can leave your bra on if it makes you more comfortable, just be sure to pull the straps down so your esthetician can give you a proper neck and shoulder massage. Many clients leave their pants on, but you can remove them if the robe is long enough and that makes you more comfortable. The bottom line is your esthetician will not judge you on what you’re wearing, so wear whatever feels good.

How to prepare for a facial

There isn’t too much you need to do to prepare for a facial the day or week before, but there are a few things to note.

First, you should skip any strong at-home facial treatments the week before your appointment. You should even avoid gentle exfoliation for a few days before, since exfoliation is one of the key steps in a pro facial.

Do not tan or burn near your appointment (or ever!) because your esthetician will have to perform a gentle facial to help with the sun damage, instead of one that can really target any deeper concerns you have with your skin.

You should also bring in a list of the skin care products you use at home so your esthetician has the information she needs. In addition to your daily skin care products, make sure to bring a list of your medications, medical conditions and past skin conditions so your esthetician can choose products that won’t interact. Even over-the-counter medications can significantly affect your skin.

Check your calendar – do you have a big event coming up? Let the spa know ahead of time if your facial is the same day of your event. There are certain treatments and techniques they will avoid and they may have recommendations for the best time to schedule your facial for maximum results.

Don't wax your skin for 24-48 hours before your spa facial. Waxing too soon beforehand could lead to irritation and a stinging sensation.

Be prepared to discuss your top skin concerns and your goals for your skin. Your esthetician will help you with specific treatments, but they will also help transform your at-home routine to best tackle your goals. Estheticians are licensed experts in skin and skin care – they should be your go-to resource for information.

Lastly, relax! A pro facial is meant to be relaxing, so don’t stress about how to prepare for a facial.

Learn more about facials

Check out the rest of our blog series "The Facial Encyclopedia" that covers everything you need to know:

Types of facials, what to tell your esthetician

What happens during a facial

What to do after a facial and how much to tip

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