A question we get all the time from both first-timers and facial veterans is “What should I be doing pre facial?” We get it, you want to make sure you do what you can to get the most out of your facial by doing the right things before you arrive.
Our answer surprises most people. There is nothing special you need to do before your facial. And honestly, doing things differently may actually upset your skin and have the opposite effect.
Once you are in the treatment room however, there are a few things that actually do matter and that we will ask you so that we can make your treatment safer, more effective, and a whole lot more relaxing.
The Most Common Pre Facial Question: Do You Need To Wash Your Face First?
No. Please don't feel like you need to show up scrubbed and bare faced. If you're coming straight from work with a full face of makeup, that's completely fine. If you've been wearing SPF all day, gold star for you. We'll cleanse your skin as the first step of your treatment, the way we always do, using products suited to your skin on that day.
In other words: your esthetician does not expect you to arrive with "perfect" skin. There's no test here. There's no grading. This is your time to relax, and we want you to walk in exactly as you are.
Your Pre Facial Checklist: What Actually Matters
While you don't need a pre facial skincare routine, there are a handful of things we genuinely want to know about going into your appointment. These aren't hoops to jump through. They're just helpful context that keeps your skin safe and your results strong.
Medications
Certain medications affect how your skin behaves and responds to treatment. If you're currently taking Accutane (or have taken it within the past year), we'll need to adjust your treatment, as this medication makes the skin much more sensitive and reactive. Topical retinoids like Retin-A or tretinoin are also worth mentioning, as these can increase sensitivity and affect how we approach exfoliation.
When in doubt, just tell us what you're taking and when your medications change. We'll ask about it at your appointment too, but flagging it ahead of time helps us plan your treatment properly.
Pregnancy
If you're pregnant or think you might be, please let us know. Several treatment methods and active ingredients are not recommended during pregnancy, so we want to make sure everything we're using is appropriate for where you are right now. This is not a reason to skip your facial, it's just a reason to communicate so we can customize safely.
Recent Sun Exposure
If you've had significant sun exposure in the days before your appointment, fresh sunburn, or spent a long weekend outdoors without adequate SPF, let us know. Sunburned or recently over-exposed skin needs a gentler approach, and we'd rather know upfront than surprise your skin mid-treatment.
And that's the list. We promise we aren’t being nosy! This short list helps us ensure you get the most out of your facial.
What Not to Worry About
We want to be really clear about this, because we hear these concerns all the time.
You do not need to arrive with a bare face. Makeup is not a problem.
You do not need "good" skin to get a facial, and we never want you to feel embarrassed if your skin is having a moment. We have all been there! In fact, if you're dealing with congestion, sensitivity, dryness, or breakouts, that's exactly what we're here for: to help your skin be its best.
You do not need to know what your "skin type" is. We'll assess all of that in the treatment room.
You do not need to prep your skin in any special way the night before. Skipping your usual routine is not necessary and might actually irritate your skin unnecessarily before you come in.
The point of a professional facial is that we guide everything. You don't have to figure it out in advance.
What To Expect at Your Facial
Here's the thing about facials at skin & tonic: no two are exactly alike.
Before we touch your skin, we take time to understand what's going on with it today. Not what you've read online about your skin type. Not a one-size-fits-all protocol. We're looking at your actual skin, at this moment, and customizing your treatment accordingly.
That means the products we use, the level of exfoliation, the mask we choose, all of it gets adjusted based on what we see and what you tell us.
So if you walk in feeling like your skin is "behaving badly" or you haven't kept up with your skincare routine lately, that's okay. That's information we can work with. Be excited for some "you" time and come ready to relax!
Pre Facial FAQ
Should I exfoliate before my facial?
No. Over-exfoliating before a facial can increase sensitivity and limit what we're able to do during your treatment. Just do what you normally would.
Can I wear makeup to my facial?
Yes, absolutely. We cleanse as part of the facial, so your makeup won't cause any issues at all.
Do I need to tell my esthetician anything before we start?
We'll ask you a few quick questions at the start of your appointment, but if you're on Accutane, a retinoid, or any other skin-affecting medication, it's great to mention that upfront. Same goes for pregnancy or significant recent sun exposure.
What if I've never had a professional facial before?
That makes it even more exciting! We love working with first-timers. There's nothing intimidating about it. We'll walk you through everything and make sure you leave with a clear understanding of your skin and a skincare plan to help your skin feel and look its best.
How often should I get a facial?
For most people, once a month is the sweet spot. This aligns with your skin's natural cell turnover cycle and gives us the consistency we need to see real progress over time.
Ready to book? We're here to guide you through everything. Your skin doesn't need to be "ready," it just needs to show up.
