How to Know When it’s Time for a Professional Facial

While I’m a stickler for taking the time to mask multiple times a week (it’s as much for mental health as it is for skin health), sometimes a girl just wants to be pampered. However, unlike those enviable few who can spend a fortune on every chemical peel, laser treatments, fillers and LED facial on the market, I like to time my treatments just right, so that I know my skin will be getting the most bang for my buck.

So, whether it’s due to a change of season or preparing for a special event or occasion, you’ll want to check out these tips on how to schedule your upcoming professional skincare treatments — so you’ll know whether to sit at home with a hydrating mask or if it’s the perfect time to leave it all to the pros.

FIRST AND FOREMOST: KNOW YOUR OWN SKIN

The main rule of thumb is to become familiar with your skin, so you know exactly what services you’re in the market for. Do you have fine lines? Acne? Milia? Rosacea? Becoming well-versed in how your skin looks is half the battle to knowing exactly what it needs and when, so take a peek in that compact mirror and see if you notice anything glaring that might need extracting.

But the beautiful thing about professional facials is that it’s not a one-size-fits-all approach. Your esthetician tends to cater your facial to your skin type and what results you’re personally looking for, so there’s no need to study up on skincare the night before your appointment.

KNOW YOUR SURROUNDINGS

Check your weather app (or, you know, walk outside). Is it especially dry or humid? Has the pinnacle of summer heat made room for that highly coveted, crisp fall air? Most estheticians suggest seeking out a standard facial as regularly as once a month, but if that’s not sustainable for your budget, try timing the service with the changing of the seasons. Once every three months seems to be a little more realistic for those of us looking for a routine check-up for our face every once in a while and allows you to adjust your skincare regime and products to the season. Your skin cells will have ample time for turnover.

That said, if you’re looking to address skin-specific concerns, these treatment protocols typically include rounds of treatment coupled with what’s called a “maintenance stage” afterwards. Think of it as facial bootcamp to get your skin to where it needs to be, then revisiting it every so often to keep it in balance to maintain those results.

Below, see some common services for specific skin concernsand how you should navigate your professional skincare schedule.

THE SOMETIMES PAINFUL, BUT NECESSARY SERVICES

Milia Extraction: If you have milia outbreaks that just won’t go away no matter how many times you perform that DIY manuka honey face mask you found online, it’s time to see your esthetician to get those tiny white bumps extracted. Many are prone to milia, especially on their forehead during the summer when sweat and makeup can become clogged beneath their pores. Your esthetician or dermatologist can assist with these extractions, and will likely recommend you come in once every two weeks to make sure nothing else resurfaces. So, your best bet would be to visit your esthetician to create a treatment plan to de-roof your milia for good.

Chemical Peel: Like its name suggests, chemical peels require a chemical solution to gently exfoliate and smooth the skin, leading to a reduction in acne and hyperpigmentation. It’s best to perform these on a monthly basis (and not a moment earlier), so your skin cells have time to rejuvenate. However, some common side effects from this service are redness, irritation, or flaking, so if you’re experiencing these symptoms, it’s recommended to wait a couple extra weeks for the skin to rest before your next peel.

Microcurrent Facial: Ever wanted the results of Botox without the numbing and rounds of injections? If so, the microcurrent facial could very well be your newest BFF. It primarily helps with fine lines and signs of aging, and the results are immediate and cumulative. Estheticians and dermatologists usually recommend at least one session once a week for four to six weeks to notice results, with a maintenance stage of every 1-2 months.

LED Facial: This type of facial is perfect for stubborn breakouts and signs of aging. For optimal results, in-office light therapy would require around five to ten sessions spaced about a week apart. After the final week, you’ll be sure to notice a difference in your skin, specifically calming down your breakouts, . Every few months is the suggested time to revisit for maintenance LED treatments or if you start seeing signs of a new breakout.

Microdermabrasion Facial: The goal of microdermabrasion is exfoliation, exfoliation, exfoliation. The procedure uses a tool that shoots mini crystals onto your skin and simultaneously sucks them back up, acting as a high-powered exfoliating scrub. While your dry skin will magically disappear after this treatment, resulting in a firm, baby-smooth face, you don’t want to overdo this one to the point of stripping your skin. For your first series, 6-10 treatments around 2 weeks apart will do the trick. For follow-ups after that, once every 2-3 months is the golden number.

HydroFacial: Looking for the most A-list facial treatment around? Also known as the Red Carpet Facial, the HydroFacial is a celebrity favorite for deeply cleansed, dewy, glowing skin. HydroFacial is an advance, non-invasive treatment that uses a medical-grade hydrodermabrasion device to carry out a three-part regimen of – cleansing + exfoliation, extraction + hydration, and infusion + protection.  It is essentially a facial, peel, microdermabrasion and hydrating mask in one! This facial is perfect for wrinkles and texture issues and discoloration of the skin— think sunspots, acne scars, and rosacea. The process itself is similar to other microdermabrasion treatments, so it’s best to go about this facial once every 1-2 months after your first series.

HERE FOR A ZEN TIME, NOT A LONG TIME

If you’re in the market for pure relaxation purposes, it’s a little bit of a different story. We’re definitely not one to judge the frequence of your pampering habits (self care is truly a lifestyle, after all), so if you’re looking for a quick facial or a simple facial massage session, the timing rules tend to be a little more lax. Cucumber slices are optional, but *always* encouraged.

Lymphatic Facial Massage: Meant to reduce swelling and puffiness, a lymphatic facial massage uses gentle brushing motions to stimulate your facial lymph nodes and encourages the drainage of the lymph fluid in your face. These facials seem simple to perform, yet they yield the most desirable results— defined cheekbones and an overall brighter complexion, yes please. These sculpting results are pretty much instant, so feel free to book an appointment before any big event, party, impromptu plans to see your ex, the works.

Although it may take some trial-and-error to truly master the perfect professional facial schedule, turning to the pros can be a quick solution the next time your skin (or your mind, for that matter) needs a little TLC. No matter the skincare concern, there’s an esthetician for that. Happy masking, friends.