Facials aren’t just relaxing; they’re also a great way to nourish your skin — whether dry, flaky and lacking moisture, or oily and acne-prone. Knowing where to begin may seem overwhelming if you’ve never had a facial, but you can breathe easier knowing our skincare experts will help you navigate your skin's unique needs.
Katelyn Hefner, an AdventHealth esthetician at Serene Aesthetic Surgery and MedSpa, shares everything you should know about facials, including the benefits, things to know before scheduling your appointment and the importance of seeking professional care.
Benefits of a Facial
“Facials are a fantastic way to improve your skin overall, but it’s important to understand their role in skin health,” explains Katelyn. “As an esthetician, I provide treatments that can help improve your skin’s appearance both short-term and long-term.”
“Facials can deeply cleanse, exfoliate and hydrate, making them beneficial for concerns like texture and tone, fine lines and wrinkles, breakouts, congestion, dryness and dehydration. Facials are more than just skincare; they’re a form of self-care. The combination of relaxing facial massage, soothing aromas and time dedicated to yourself promotes relaxation, helps ease tension and improves overall well-being,” Katelyn shares. “Plus, the confidence boost from glowing, refreshed skin can enhance self-esteem and leave you feeling completely rejuvenated.”
Serene Aesthetic Surgery and MedSpa offers fully customizable facial treatments using SkinCeuticals and ZO Skin Health products, chemical peels of varying depths, microneedling, dermaplaning and more.
Things to Know Before Scheduling a Facial
Before scheduling your facial, there are a few things to keep in mind. Your esthetician will need to know:
- A list of your medications
- Any allergies you may have
- Skincare products you’re currently using
“You should discontinue using any active ingredients such as AHAs and BHAs (glycolic acid, lactic acid, salicylic acid, etc.) and retinoids at least 72 hours before any skin treatment,” says Katelyn.
Additionally, before scheduling a facial, consider your upcoming plans, as it’s best to avoid most skin treatments the week of an important event or when you have an outdoor activity planned. “Any time we’re cleansing, exfoliating or introducing active ingredients to the skin, there is a possibility that trapped congestion can surface breakouts,” Katelyn explains. “Even with gentle treatments and products, there’s a potential for your skin to react unexpectedly, and you may not want to risk breakouts, redness or irritation right before an important event.”
Certain treatments can cause photosensitivity (increased sensitivity to light), so it’s better to plan your treatment a week or more before your vacation or beach time.
Knowing When to Seek Professional Care
While having an at-home skincare routine is great, some aspects are best left to professionals. Your esthetician will work with you to create a plan customized to your unique needs.
“When it comes to treating medical conditions such as severe acne, rosacea, eczema or psoriasis, a dermatologist is the best resource,” Katelyn says. “If you’re unsure whether a facial is right for your skin concerns, we offer consultations to help determine the best approach.”
She shares an additional point of caution: “Leave the pimple popping to a professional. Performing your own extractions at home can cause more harm than good. If you’re dealing with bacterial acne, you can end up spreading the bacteria and causing more breakouts. If your breakouts are already red and inflamed, attempting to ‘pop’ them will only cause more aggravation and inflammation, which can lead to scarring.”
Not everything can or should be extracted, so it’s best to consult with a licensed esthetician for the best treatment approach to meet your needs.
Helping You Love the Skin You’re In
Healthier skin starts with a consultation with one of our expert estheticians. Learn more about facials and other treatments and services offered at Serene Aesthetic Surgery and MedSpa. Schedule your consultation today.
