Facial Etiquette: Seven Things to Know Before You Go

Particularly for those who have never had a professional facial treatment before, you may not know what to expect. Here are some helpful tips to prepare for the best facial experience.

Tip #1 Avoid using exfoliating products at least four days before your skin treatment.

Since most facial treatments in the U.S. include an exfoliating treatment such as an enzyme or acid peel or ultrasonic exfoliation, you don’t want to over-sensitize your skin. You should avoid using any scrubs, acids, or retinol products beforehand. Note: if your skin is sunburned or any irritation is present, you should reschedule for a later time.

Tip #2 Be prepared to discuss your top three skin care concerns.

Most facials should include a consultation prior to your treatment, and in order for you to get the most benefits from your facial experience, you should think beforehand about the top three most important priorities for your skin. This will allow your esthetician to be able to customize your treatment or recommend the best facial.

Tip #3 Brush your teeth or use breath mints.

Because you’re so close to your esthetician’s face, for your own benefit you want to ensure you are not feeling self-conscious about what you ate for lunch that day. I can’t tell you how many clients apologize to us for having garlic with lunch that day, when truthfully we don’t even notice. But we don’t like our clients feeling self-conscious, as this distracts them from their experience.

Tip #4 Men should shave the morning of their facial appointment.

Because a facial treatment includes a face, neck, and shoulder massage, if a man has too much stubble, an esthetician will avoid this are because she doesn’t want to irritate her hands, and therefore, this area of the face can get neglected. Shaving the morning of your appointment ensures smooth skin to allow your esthetician to avoid irritation, but also ensures this area of the face gets the attention it needs. While shaving is a form of exfoliation, and most facials will include exfoliating treatments, men have thicker skin, so concern about sensitivity isn’t as much of an issue.

Tip #5 Bring along your current skin care products.

Depending on the skin care spa or facility, many estheticians find it very helpful to see what you’ve been using on your skin. But it’s also beneficial to the client to get expert advice from their skin care professional to determine if their current products are addressing their most important skin care concerns. You’ll want to call ahead of time to find out if the esthetician has the extra time to go over your products with you (sometimes they have to schedule it in) and if they encourage this.

Tip #6 Perform your normal skin care routine.

Some people feel the need to come with clean skin, washed with nothing else on it. Other people apologize for having their makeup on. I prefer to have people not do anything special, and come in with what their skin would normally look like. When people prepare their skin excessively, I can’t see the amount of oil or the hydration levels of the skin as much. A cleanser or washing beforehand can skew the skin analysis. Come in with or without makeup, it doesn’t matter, just do your normal morning routine and don’t alter it.

Tip #7 Be prepared to turn off your cell phone.

To ensure your best facial experience, and the time spent with your skin care professional, it’s important to not just turn your phone on vibrate, but turn your phone off. There’s nothing more disruptive than a phone ringing or vibrating. Certainly in some instances, people have to keep it on, just in case their babysitter calls or something comes up, but generally, a facial room should be a no cell phone zone.

These are general guidelines to ensure a good experience for your professional facial treatment. Now settle in, relax, and be well on your way to beautiful, glowing skin!

Renée Rouleau

Celebrity Esthetician & Skincare Expert
As an esthetician trained in cosmetic chemistry, Renée Rouleau has spent 30 years researching skin, educating her audience, and building an award-winning line of products. Her hands-on experience as an esthetician and trusted skin care expert has created a real-world solution — products that are formulated for nine different types of skin so your face will get exactly what it needs to look and feel its best. Trusted by celebrities, editors, bloggers, and skincare obsessives around the globe, her vast real-world knowledge and constant research are why Marie Claire calls her “the most passionate skin practitioner we know.”