What To Do After A Facial?
A custom facial is much more than just a relaxing experience; it’s an opportunity to refresh your skin, address and prevent breakouts, and boost overall skin health. Whether you’re a skincare novice or a facial enthusiast, understanding the best practices for post-facial care is essential for prolonging the results of your treatment. In this blog post, we’ll walk you through what to expect from a custom facial at Defy Aesthetic, why they’re beneficial, and, most importantly, what to do (and avoid) after your treatment to extend your glowy results at home!
Why Are Custom Facials So Beneficial?
A custom facial at Defy Aesthetic is a deeply personalized treatment that caters to your skin’s specific needs. Our expert aestheticians begin by assessing your skin type, texture, and any underlying concerns under 10x magnification - whether it’s acne, dryness, sensitivity, or signs of aging. This evaluation allows us to create a treatment plan with specialized skincare ingredients and techniques tailored just for you.
Here are some of the glowy benefits of a monthly custom facial:
-Deep Cleansing Power: Our facials go beyond the surface, giving your skin a deep cleanse that clears out dirt, dead skin, and anything else clogging your pores. This is important because clean skin is better able to absorb the good stuff - like hydrating and nourishing ingredients - making every product you use work even better!
-Hydration Boost: Our facials deliver a big dose of moisture, using products chosen specifically to soothe, plump, and balance your skin. This extra hydration is key for a fresh, youthful glow!
-Targeted Solutions: Every skin has its own unique needs, so we customize each facial to tackle your specific concerns - like calming breakouts, evening out dark spots, or softening fine lines.
-Boosted Circulation: Our facials include gentle massage techniques that get your blood flowing, which helps to clear out toxins and bring fresh oxygen to your skin. The result? A brighter, more energized look.
-Relaxation and Stress Relief: Facials aren’t just great for your skin - they’re also a perfect way to unwind and de-stress. You’ll leave feeling refreshed and recharged, with skin that looks as good as you feel!
Knowing the steps in a facial can help you feel comfortable and get the best out of your session. Here’s how it typically goes:
-Skin Analysis: Your aesthetician starts by checking out your skin and talking about any concerns you have. This helps them pick the best products and techniques for you.
-Cleansing and Exfoliation: A deep cleanse removes dirt and oil, followed by gentle exfoliation to clear away dead skin cells and prep your skin for treatments.
-Extractions: If you have clogged pores, your aesthetician might do some extractions to gently remove blackheads or whiteheads.
-Treatment Masks and Serums: Tailored to your skin, these might focus on hydration, calming, anti-aging, or brightening - whatever your skin needs most.
-Massage: Facials often include a soothing massage to boost circulation, ease tension, and help drain away toxins, leaving you relaxed and refreshed.
-Moisturizer and SPF: The facial wraps up with a moisturizer to lock in hydration and SPF to protect your skin from sun exposure.
A custom facial usually takes about an hour, and by the end, your skin should feel deeply cleansed, hydrated, and glowing!
What to Do (and Not Do) After a Facial:
After your facial, your skin will be particularly receptive to products and may be more sensitive. Following these easy aesthetician-approved steps will help you extend the life of your results at home:
-Do: Keep Skin Hydrated: Your skin is freshly cleansed and often needs hydration afterward. Drink plenty of water to support skin hydration from the inside, and apply a hydrating serum or lightweight moisturizer if recommended. This locks in all the benefits and keeps your skin glowing.
-Don’t: Touch Your Face: It’s tempting to touch your smooth, refreshed skin, but avoid it! Hands carry oils and bacteria that could irritate your freshly treated skin or even cause breakouts.
-Do: Avoid Makeup (If Possible): Give your skin a breather! Going makeup-free for the day (or longer if you can) allows the products from your facial to fully absorb and work their magic without any interference.
-Don’t: Exercise or Engage in Sweat-Heavy Activities: Sweating right after a facial can irritate your skin, especially if you’ve had extractions or exfoliation. High heat from exercise or hot showers may cause redness or discomfort, so it’s best to wait a day or two before any intense workouts.
-Do: Follow a Gentle Skincare Routine: Keep things simple for a few days. Since your skin has already been treated deeply, skip extra exfoliants, masks, or active ingredients like retinoids. Instead, use a gentle cleanser, moisturizer, and SPF.
-Don’t: Skip SPF or Sun Protection: Post-facial skin is especially sensitive, so protecting it from the sun is crucial. UV rays can damage newly treated skin and even undo the benefits of your facial. Use a broad-spectrum SPF of at least 30 and limit sun exposure as much as possible.
-Do: Monitor for Any Reactions: Some slight redness or sensitivity is normal after a facial, especially if extractions were done. But if you experience any prolonged redness, itching, or discomfort, reach out to your esthetician. They can recommend soothing steps or advise if further care is needed.
A custom facial is an investment in your skin’s health, giving you a radiant glow, clearer complexion, and a boost in hydration. Following the proper aftercare steps helps extend these benefits, keeping your skin happy and healthy long after your appointment. Remember, the key to maximizing your facial results lies in gentle care, hydration, and sun protection.
Whether you're interested in lip filler, Botox/Dysport, collagen-boosting skin lasers, or want to learn more about our Defy Monthly Facial Membership (a perfect choice for those who want to transform their skin without the price tag over the course of a year!), we’d love to see you in our Bethesda medical spa soon.