5 Ways To Prepare For Your First Facial Appointment
Looking to get your first professional facial service? Not sure where to start or how to prepare for your first service? We are here to help!
If you’ve never had a spa day or professional skincare service it can seem a bit intimidating at first! We’re here to help you be fully prepared as you step into your first service! Keep reading to learn 5 different ways to prep for your first spa service!
Stop all active ingredients 3 to 5 days before your first session.
Many skincare products contain active ingredients. Active ingredients are essential to seeing results, however, using active ingredients directly before a facial can potentially cause some irritation to your skin. Examples of active ingredients include: Benzoyl peroxide, sulfur, retinol, mandelic acid, and salicylic acid. Prescription topical skincare from the dermatologist is also considered an active ingredient. Products such as epiduo, clindamyocin, and tretinoin are just a few options normally prescribed to someone struggling with acne. Stop all active ingredients 3 to 5 days before your service, and if you’re unsure if you’re using an active ingredient be sure to ask your esthetician prior to coming in for your service.
2. Arrive 10 minutes early to your appointment.
Allow yourself extra time when planning your appointment to a spa if this is your first time. This will allow for time to fill out the companies intake form/liability waivers, use the restroom, and ask any additional last minute questions that you may have. It’s recommended to add an extra 10 to 15 minutes to your travel schedule to factor in chances of hitting traffic too.
3. Write down what products you’re using at home.
Know your products! When booking a facial appointment it’s important to know what skincare products you’re using at home, especially when using topical products from the dermatologist. Estheticians need to know this information, because some ingredients should NOT be mixed together/used within the same day. We need to make sure we'‘re not over exfoliating the skin or over processing the skin to avoid irritation. Take pictures of your current products (The name of the product and the brand), or write them down to show your esthetician.
4. Honesty is the best policy - Intake form
When going to a spa for the first time it’s standard protocol to have a first time client fill out an intake form. This intake form is going to ask you some questions about your skincare/health history. Be sure to answer these questions honestly. This form is strictly for your own safety! In this intake form let us know your skin concerns and what you would like to work on during your session if there is space allowed. Is acne a primary concern? How about anti aging? Do you have a stubborn acne scar that won’t fade? Let your esthetician know. By doing this we can help guide you better during the service, and help target your concerns. Please disclose any allergies in your intake form even if they happen to not be skincare related. This is very important for your practitioner to know. Also, please disclose if you are pregnant prior to your service. Certain skincare ingredients can NOT be used on pregnant women. Other accommodations can be made such as elevating the massage table, turning off the bed warmer, etc. Again, disclosing this information is important for your safety, and so we can help you reach your goals faster!
5. Ask Questions
This is your first facial service! It’s ok not to be a seasoned pro and it’s okay to ask questions to make sure you feel comfortable! Asking questions will help you be better prepared for your service, but also knowing what to do post facial is just as important. Asking questions such as how long is this appointment? Or Is there going to be any post facial downtime to my skin? Can I resume my normal skincare routine after this service? What should I avoid post facial? These questions will set you up for success, and help prolong your results!
Hopefully after reading this you feel a bit more prepared for your first service! Still feeling hesitant? Check out our other blog posts such as “5 Reasons To See An Esthetician.”
