What to know before getting your facial or chemical peel?

Though facials are a standard beauty procedure, there are a few things to remember before getting one.

*Don’t wax or shave (at least 48 hours) before your service. Hair removal can leave the skin feeling sensitive so you're more likely to feel discomfort such as tingling or stinging during your treatment if you wax/shave right before your service.

*No exfoliating products for at least 48 hours before and after the treatment (such as scrubs, products with salicylic, glycolic, etc.)

*No harsh/strong skincare products such as benzoyl peroxide, vitamin C or retinol for 72 hours before/after the facial

*Avoid tanning beds or sun tanning at least 1 week before your service.

*Must be off accutane for 4 months before any facial treatments, 6 months if getting dermaplane/hydrodermabrasion, and 1 year for chemical peels.

What should you do after your facial?

Follow the recommendations below for the best results

*Skip the gym (and sauna!) While working up a sweat is always good, you should reschedule your gym/sauna session for at least 48 hours after your facial. Sweat can easily irritate freshly exfoliated skin.

*Avoid heavy makeup. After a deep cleanse, your pores will be more open, leaving them more susceptible to bacteria. Though it may be tempting to put foundation on to cover any post-treatment redness, it is best to let your skin settle for at least 24 hours. Before applying any makeup after your facial, thoroughly clean your makeup brushes/sponges to prevent bacteria from being reintroduced into your fresh skin.

*Avoid picking the skin Picking the skin is never advised but it is essential after a facial to avoid picking. Your skin has just been scrubbed, exfoliated, and extracted; messing with your skin now can cause irritation or even scarring.

*Try to stay out of direct sunlight and be sure to wear sunscreen even if it is cloudy, the UV rays penetrate through the clouds and can still cause hyperpigmentation & damage to your skin cells.