Skin prep is half the battle when it comes to having a good facial and yet most facials begin with clean skin. That’s the opposite way around from how most of us take care of our skin on a daily basis. We don’t wear make up to the gym so why do we wear makeup to a facial? Facialist, Nadia (from One Young Street), and I discuss skin prep.
Stop active ingredients 48-72 hours before
We frequently overlook the products that contain ingredients such as retinoids, AHAs, BHAs, benzoyl peroxide, when planning a skin treatment. These ingredients deplete the skin of its protective lipid layer and also cause skin irritation, making it sensitive. The editor has once accidentally caused a chemical burn on a client by telling them to apply a retinol product the night before their treatment.
It really depends on what product you are using – is it a strong product? Prescription Tretinoin should have at least 3 days in between uses and over-the-counter retinol should have at least 48 hours in between uses. Salicylic acid is also somewhere in between and really depends on what percentage of the product you are using. It’s better to err on the side of caution!
Hydrate properly
Dehydrated skin resists treatment. Period.
This product remains on the skin surface and doesn’t penetrate into it, unlike most extractions. Some people find that their skin can become quite puffy and sore afterwards – this is a common experience for some. Drinking lots of water 3 days prior is recommended; more water does NOT equal better results. Consistency is way more important than amount.
Alcohol and excessive amounts of Caffeine are both water extractives meaning that they will cause you to loose much needed water to the skin to allow best response to treatments. We recommend avoiding both for at least 24 hours prior to your appointment.
The gentle cleansing approach
You want your skin barrier to be just ‘on point’, not too fragile, or too over-prepared. For a week or so prior to a facial try using a mild cream based cleanser. Avoid using products that contain Sulfates in their foaming agents as these can be quite harsh and strip the skin of essential oils. These oils help the skin to be able to tolerate the active ingredients used in professional treatments.
No more scrubbing away! We swapped out the physical scrub in this treatment for Walnut shell particles that scratched away the dead skin cells, but those scratches created open wounds in the next treatment causing irritation. Our Estheticians have alternative methods to exfoliate your skin safely and professionally.
While most high-end treatments need only to be properly opened prior to service, due to how the HydraFacial penetrates through multiple layers of skin, there are some special considerations to ensure the best results for clients and to protect the device. These are the HydraFacial preparation protocols to know.
Sun protection becomes non-negotiable
Did you know that even on cloudy days, exposure to UV light can cause your skin to go into an inflammatory state that can last for days! When your skin is in an inflammatory state, most active skin treatments can become painful and even cause long-term hyperpigmentation because your skin becomes extremely sensitive!
My forecast has changed. I was looking forward to seeing people out tonight so this change is disappointing. My skin is fighting off active acne caused by the sun and worn from lack of sleep so I am being very gentle with it. The worst thing I could do to it right now is cause post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation which can last up to 6 months. Temporary disappointement for the sake of healthy skin.
What to avoid completely
Hair removal is a portal of entry for bacteria and can cause infection during facial treatments, therefore we advise clients to avoid waxing, threading and aggressive tweezing at least 48 hours prior to their appointment. The tiny wounds caused by hair removal can open the door to many more problems.
In the run up to your facial treatment it’s best to stick to products that you know won’t cause any irritation, avoiding new launches that you may not know how your skin will react to. It’s best to test new products after your facial treatment and see how your skin responds post-treatment.
Day-of execution
Make sure you washed your face in the morning but didn’t over-wash. I recommend just a cool water rinse that morning. No active ingredients or Acids that morning, and just go in with a basic moisturizer. Remember that your skin is going to be on the drier side and could feel very tight.
Please come in with a clean face and have done your makeup before arriving for your appointment. This is your service time and we could be starting with your treatment a lot sooner if your face wasn’t painted. Also, products won’t penetrate properly on greasy dirty skin. Let’s get off to a good start!
Preparing the skin is more important than applying a good product or having a treatment. If you prepare the skin well, then your skin will absorb and respond to the treatments better and have longer lasting results. Our clients are starting to notice a big difference in their skin and the reason for this isn’t because we’re using different treatments on them it’s because they’re turning up prepared!