Did you know that for 40% of our first time clients the actual facial treatment is the least part of their experience. Lack of pre-treatment preparation plays a huge role. By making a few slight changes to your diet and skincare routine in the 24-48 hours prior to your appointment can have life changing results!
Timeline matters: when to stop active ingredients
We recommend that you modify your skincare regimen prior to your appointment with us. Products that contain retinoids, alpha hydroxy acids, and beta hydroxy acids should be discontinued 3-5 days prior to your treatment as these ingredients can cause skin irritation by aggressively exfoliating the skin.
Just like any good things in life, there are always some downsides to using Vitamin C serums. Most products that contain Vitamin C need to be space out with a 48 hour gap before reapplying if the concentration of the product is 15% and above. However, those that have lower concentrations do not cause any harm.
For your service, please note that any prescription products containing active tretinoin or adapalene MUST BE STOPPED ONE WEEK PRIOR TO SERVICE. We recommend to temporarily stop using these products to avoid any potential reaction with your current skincare regimen.
Physical preparation protocols
Sun exposure restrictions
With so much sun in recent days, our skin targeted treatments have become a little more high maintenance in terms of getting the most from them! Exposing the skin to the sun before coming in for any of these treatments is likely to cause some post-treatment hyperpigmentation. We advise avoiding the sun for 14 days before any of these treatments, however this is increased to 21 days for darker skin types.
Any self-tanning products must be fully removed from the skin 48-72 hours prior to treatment. Self-tanning products contain chemicals that can interfere with or react with the professionally applied treatments to give unpredictable results. Removing these products from the skin can be achieved by thorough exfoliation or using an enzymatic peel to gently release the self-tanning product from the skin surface without causing further irritation.
Hair removal timing
It’s really important to arrive with ALL facial hair removed prior to your treatment. This means NO stubble what so ever. If you use methods such as waxing, threading or aggressive/shiny fresh shaving then your skin will have experienced some form of micro-trauma which needs to be calmed before any new treatments are applied. Ideally we would like you to have had your skin clear of hairs for a minimum of 24 hours prior to your appointment.
We would advise that no hair products are used on the area to be treated on the morning of the laser session. We also advise that if you do shave then use as little pressure as possible with a sharp blade as excessive pressure can cause irritation. It is also recommended that eyebrow shaping is carried out 2-3 days prior to laser to allow for any swelling or redness to subside.
What to communicate with your aesthetician
The pre-treatment consultation is where the treatment meets its success. For this reason, we need to know of any recent cosmetic procedures you may have undertaken including all injectables, chemical peels and laser treatments. Most treatments have a 14 day clearance period prior to any facial treatments being administered. If you have undertaken any of these treatments in the near past, please advise us prior to treatment to avoid any adverse complications.
But did you know that many medications have secondary effects on your skin too? Antibodies can cause a drastic shift in your skin’s bacterial balance (if you are on hormonal antibiotics, for example). Or hormonal medications can affect your skin’s oil production. Blood thinners, too, can make you more prone to bruising (which you should keep in mind especially if you are planning extractions such as fillers or Botox). Here’s what you need to know about how to prepare for HydraFacial to make the most of your treatment.
Stress, diet, new products and new ingredients can all cause skin sensitivity. This means that even the best regime in the past can become rendered useless after a few months. When consulting with clients it is essential that they can describe any changes in their skin and that they understand that their skin changes are the most important thing when searching for a suitable skincare regime.
Day-of preparation
We recommend keeping your morning skincare routine on the day of your treatment simple and lightweight. Start with a gentle cleanser followed by a lightweight moisturiser.
Please do not add any other products to your skin before our appointment as the various serums, oils and/or heavy creams in your routine act as barriers preventing your skin from responding to any treatments we have in store for you. Please also make sure to wash your face and remove all your makeup before our appointment. You can have any heavy foundation or waterproof mascara removed for you by the aesthetician if you like, but it’s faster and better for your skin if you remove it first.
It’s best to arrive 10-15 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment time in order to complete all the necessary intake paperwork and get settled comfortably before your service begins. Arriving much sooner can add unnecessary stress and can cause your skin to become temporarily more sensitive.
A crucial factor in how your professional facial turns out is your current skin preparation routine. Some slight changes will ensure you deliver a professional service but with the minimal disruption to your regime.
