How to Prepare for
Your First Facial.

Booking your first facial is easy. Getting the most out of it takes a little bit of prep. None of it is complicated, but skipping it can mean more sensitivity during treatment and less dramatic results afterward — so here's what actually matters in the days leading up to your appointment.

3 to 5 days before: pause the strong stuff

If you use retinol, AHAs, BHAs, or any other active exfoliant, take a short break starting 3 to 5 days before your visit. These ingredients thin the outermost layer of skin, which makes it more reactive to extractions, steam, and other facial techniques. Pausing gives your skin a buffer so treatment feels comfortable instead of irritating.

72 hours before: skip waxing and threading

Hold off on waxing or threading your brows for at least 72 hours before a facial. Freshly waxed skin is more sensitive, and facial treatments right afterward can cause extra redness or discomfort in that area.

The day of: come as you are

• Arrive with a clean or lightly moisturized face — no need for a full skincare routine beforehand.
• Skip heavy makeup if you can. It's one less thing to remove before I get started, and it means I can see your skin's actual baseline.
• Tell me about any allergies, sensitivities, or recent treatments (including any injectables or procedures) during your consultation, even if you think it's not relevant. It usually is.

After your facial

Avoid direct sun exposure, excessive heat, and heavy makeup for 24 hours. Stick to gentle, hydrating products, and hold off on retinol or active exfoliants for 48 to 72 hours post-treatment. A little redness or mild purging in the days after a deeper treatment is normal — if anything feels off, just reach out.