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How often should you get a facial? Well, if it were up to us (and if we had unlimited funds), we’d get a facial everyday to keep our skin—and our hearts—happy. But unfortunately, there can be too much of a good thing. Though the popular skincare treatment is our ticket to a brighter and clearer complexion and healthy skin overall, frequent facials may not be the best idea.
And the experts agree. We turned to three facialists to break down everything we need to know about facial treatments. From the benefits and the ideal timeline on how often we should be getting them, see what the pros had to say below.
What Is a Facial?
A facial is a treatment that involves the use of different skincare products, devices, and facial techniques. According to Raquel Medina-Cleghorn, facialist and founder of Raquel NYC, these treatments can range from being product-based (application of masks, serums, creams, etc.), massage-based, technology-based, or some combination of the three.
The Benefits
The benefits are many—and too good to pass up. Medina-Cleghorn lists clearer skin, a boost of hydration, a reduction in puffiness and redness, and a more radiant complexion as just some of the main reasons why you should consider including facial treatments in your skincare regimen. You can also expect improved lymphatic drainage and increased blood circulation. “Ideally, a facial will result in a smooth, supple, sculpted, and lifted appearance,” she says.
As for downsides, she says there really aren’t any—if you go to a professional. Any negative side effects would be related to an untrained technician or the wrong products and technologies used on a person’s skin that would cause irritation or an allergic reaction. A skilled facialist will consult with you beforehand to avoid using things on your face that will harm it.
Facial Prep
Before you even go in for your appointment, you should do a consult with your facialist so they can provide specific instructions on what you should and shouldn’t use. Facialist Madalaina Conti recommends checking your esthetician’s website for tips on what to do based on your treatment. She also advises filling out your medical forms in advance so your esthetician can be best prepared. And if you have any other lingering questions or comments, ask your facialist directly. “Never hesitate to reach out with questions,” Conti says. “That’s what we re here for.”
She does recommend skipping active ingredients such as retinol or chemical exfoliants alpha hydroxy- (AHA) and beta-hydroxy acids about five days before treatment. It’s also a good idea to avoid excessive sun exposure for at least a week or two. Sofie Pavitt, facialist and founder of Sofie Pavitt Face, adds that you’ll want to refrain from shaving, waxing, or threading any facial hair 24 hours before.
As for wearing makeup the day of, Medina-Cleghorn says that most estheticians prefer clients to come with a clean face (but don’t worry if you can’t as you’ll get a thorough cleanse either way). If you’re thinking about stacking beauty treatments back to back, opt for doing a facial first before lash extensions or any hair appointment.
How Often Should You Get a Facial?
The short answer to this: it depends on what type of facial you get. Pavitt says six to eight weeks is an ideal timeframe in between appointments. Medina-Cleghorn is a fan of getting a facial every four weeks so it aligns with the lifecycle of skin cells and allows your facialist to continue working on your skin health as old cells turn over and new skin cells emerge.
Some exceptions include special occasions, such as weddings; Pavitt tells brides to come in every month for six months before their big day to work on skin concerns such as acne or hyperpigmentation or a month or two beforehand if you just want to focus on boosting your skin’s radiance. A treatment like an oxygen facial can be a great choice day of. Medina-Cleghorn adds that those with acne-prone or oily skin might require more upkeep to clear congestion.
But there is such a thing as overdoing it. Pavitt says having too many abrasive treatments can be disruptive to the barrier, which would cause more harm down the line. Conti emphasizes the importance of talking with your esthetician so that they can get the full scope of your skin and skin concerns to help set up a treatment plan for your skin goals.
Types of Facials
Whatever your skincare goals, there’s pretty much a facial for every skin need. Some of the most common ones include:
Also known as the European-style facial, Medina-Cleghorn says this is solely product-based. One that you can do at home yourself, this involves the application of serums and masks.
Using professional-strength exfoliants, a chemical peel has loads of skin benefits. It can smooth out uneven texture, brighten skin, and unclog pores for a clearer and more radiant complexion.
This is a form of physical exfoliation to reveal brighter and smoother skin underneath. A facialist will typically hold a handheld device to gently slough away dead skin cells on the top layer to treat uneven texture and reduce the appearance of acne scars and dark spots .
Using devices with low-level electrical currents, this treatment stimulates your face muscles to give you firmer and more lifted skin. It can also promote collagen production, reduce the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines, and other signs of aging, and tone the skin.
HydraFacial is a popular medical-grade facial that gives brighter and firmer skin. It involves three steps—exfoliate, hydrate, and boost—and has close to zero downtime.
One of the more invasive techniques, microneedling involves puncturing the top year with tiny needles to firm and plump the skin. This also treats uneven texture and acne scars, and helps reduce the appearance of wrinkles and stretch marks.
To combat dullness, turn to light emitting diode (LED) light facials. It uses safe and low-level light in different wavelengths and colors to address your most pressing skin concerns, such as treating signs of anti-aging.
Medina-Cleghorn says that many facialists are trained in a variety of techniques and modalities that they’re able to combine to get you the best results. If you’re still not sure which facial to get, she says to reach out to a spa or clinic to request a consultation.
What About At-Home Facials?
There are many differences between a professional facial and one you can DIY at home. The main one being that a trained esthetician is able to use products and certain modalities that you can’t use on your own. “[They] are for professional use only or require specific training due to varying potencies in ingredients and the knowledge required to apply these modalities properly, in a controlled environment without injury,” explains Conti. “It’ll be a boost from what you do at home 80% of the time [and] there are just some things that are tricky or not safe to do on yourself.”
Pavitt agrees and adds that the results are just better when you get a facial done with an esthetician. “Products used in a professional treatment are usually at a high strength than an at-home treatment,” she says. “Going to a professional also gives you better results as your provider has been trained in deciding what treatment is right for you.”
Aftercare
For general tips that everyone can use post-facial, Conti says that you’ll want to drink lots of mineralized water to stay hydrated. Pavitt adds that it’s best to go back to your normal routine one to two days post-treatment. Results can vary based on the type of facial you get. She says that extractions, for example, may cause your skin to look red for a few days after while something like an oxygen treatment will give immediate results.
But the best aftercare is one that is recommended by your esthetician. “Follow [their] instructions,” she says. “If they’re a good esthetician, then they will recommend the ideal homecare to keep your skin looking great after a facial.”
“Follow the guidance of your esthetician; don’t go rogue,” agrees Conti. “We want to help, so always reach out with questions you have or even products you see that you might be interested in. I know it’s tempting to want to try products you see online, but we have an intimate knowledge of your skin and are happy to guide you in the right direction.”
