Your first facial: what to expect and what to ask

A facial can be an hour of calm, a deep clean, or the start of a plan for a skin concern. The first one is easier when you know roughly what happens and what to tell the person doing it.

Choose the right kind of place

Salons and spas usually offer relaxing and cleansing facials. Skin clinics often offer more targeted treatments, such as peels, for particular concerns. On Saloonly you can browse spas and skin clinics separately, or search for “facial” and compare what each place offers, how long it takes and what it costs.

If you are not sure which treatment you need, choose a simple facial for a first visit, or ask the salon before booking.

Tell them about your skin

Your therapist can see your skin, but not what you put on it. Before they start, mention:

• Allergies, including to fragrance or nuts, which turn up in some skincare.
• Prescription skin creams or medicines, especially for acne.
• Retinol, acids or exfoliating products you use at home.
• Any skin condition, recent sunburn, or a treatment you have had recently.
• Pregnancy, which can change which products are suitable.

Good to know: When you book on Saloonly there is a box for anything the salon should know. Allergies belong there, so the salon has them before you arrive.

Before you go

• Give your skin a rest from strong exfoliants for a few days, unless your therapist says otherwise.
• Come with a bare face if you can, or expect to have makeup removed.
• Arrive a few minutes early. Most facials start with a few questions.

In the room

A typical facial moves through cleansing, a gentle exfoliation, sometimes steam and extractions, a mask, and a moisturiser to finish, often with a face and shoulder massage along the way. If anything stings, burns or simply feels wrong, say so. A good therapist will stop and adjust.

Afterwards

A little pinkness for a few hours is common. Many therapists suggest leaving makeup off for the rest of the day, using sunscreen, and holding off on strong products for a day or two. Ask what they recommend for your skin.

Timing around an event

If you have a wedding or a festival coming up, have your first facial weeks ahead, not days. That leaves time for your skin to settle, and to find out how it reacts.

This is general guidance. Your therapist, or a dermatologist for a medical skin concern, knows your skin and has the final say on what is right for it.