25 Mar Before and after-care facial tips

Getting a facial is one of the best things you can do for a younger, healthier, appearance. Not only is it incredibly relaxing at the time, its effects can last long after you leave the salon.

But the benefits of a facial may not be apparent immediately.

Why? Well, this treatment can bring up all the bad stuff lurking beneath your skin. Like blackheads, bacteria and toxins. A facial draws all this dirt, excess sebum and pollution to the surface, in order to get rid of it. But as with many things in life, it may get worse before it gets better!

When to arrange a facial

If you have a big event coming up, like a wedding or a family reunion, make sure to give your skin time to recover. Book your facial at least a week beforehand; that way you can get rid of any blemishes or irritation before the big day. You should also be getting regular facials (one every 6 weeks) in the months leading up to the event. That way, your skin will be in a better condition to begin with!

Tips for before your facial

Ideally, arrive at your facial with your skin clean and dry – so without any makeup on, if you can. Your therapist can always remove your makeup there… but your skin won’t have much time to breathe in between, and anyway, that’ll knock off valuable facial time!

Also, drink plenty of water to keep your skin hydrated. (But really, this is a tip you should follow at any stage, not just before a facial!) It’s the secret to younger-looking, clearer skin.

After-care advice

Once again, keep hydrated. If you’re in a habit of drinking 8 glasses of water a day, great; if not, you need to up the intake.

Avoid using perfumed products or wearing makeup for the next 12 hours if you can, to let all those great skin care products work their magic. (If you must wear your war paint, stick to mineral or vitamin-enriched products.) Keep your newly pampered face out of direct sunlight for the next 48 hours. That goes for saunas and tanning beds, too! The goal is to maintain that vibrant glow you had when you first walked out of your treatment.

Still, make sure you don’t undergo any further skin care treatments for 48 hours, to avoid irritating the skin. Let the results of that one facial speak for themselves.

In the long term…

Steer clear of alcohol and cigarettes to keep your complexion clear and healthy. Keep drinking water and follow any advice that your beauty therapist gave you in terms of products, diet and so on.

This way, you’ll enjoy the benefits of your facial for longer!