A facial is a skin-care treatment offered in a spa, salon, or doctorâs office. Thereâs no denying the feel-good factor of a facial, but these treatments are also intended to deeply cleanse; improve circulation; exfoliate to remove dead skin cells; moisturize; and help with common skin concerns like aging, dry skin, and acne. âFacials can be helpful for a number of people, including those with healthy skin and those with skin problems,â says Dr. Benjamin Barankin, a dermatologic surgeon in Toronto.
There are many types of facials targeted to different needs, so itâs difficult to lump them all together. Some facials incorporate oxygen, high-frequency microcurrents, dermaplaning, and LED light to deliver more intense or specific resultsâfor instance, the blue and red lights in LED treatments are used to calm breakouts and inflammation, while microcurrent devices can temporarily tighten muscles so your face looks more lifted. Facials may also be combined with chemical peels, microdermabrasion, radiofrequency, and/or microneedling, for more comprehensive results.Â
âWe customize our medical facials to target the specific skin concern of each patient, be it wrinkles, brown spots, acne, or some other. We mix and match additional treatments, such as chemical peels and lasers, to layer over our facials, for even greater results,â says NYC dermatologist Dr. Dennis Gross in a RealSelf Q&A.Â
RealSelf members are real fans, noting in facial reviews that the treatment makes their skin glow and feel amazing.
"To maintain the benefits, you need to be routine about facials. Itâs like anything else. If you whiten your teeth routinely, they stay white and look good.ââDr. Janet Allenby, a Delray Beach, Florida dermatologist
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Dr. Gary Motykie, a plastic surgeon in West Hollywood, California, says in a RealSelf Q&A that your âtotal cost will vary, depending on the type of facial you have, the facility where the treatment is performed, the area of the country youâre in, and whether additional treatments are performed at the same time.âÂ
For example, many men and women schedule microdermabrasion or microneedling beforehand, to allow for better penetration of the facial. Check with the doctorâs office or medspa where youâre considering treatment; they can give you a list of the specific facials they offer, along with prices.
Keep in mind too that most offices will offer packages at a discounted price. For instance, at Dr. Grossâ office, facials are $200, and peels are $225âbut if you have a facial with a peel, the price is discounted to $325.
The facial photos in our gallery have been shared by the provider who performed the procedure, with the patient's consent.
A medical facial is typically performed in a doctorâs office. It uses medical-grade skin-care products that contain higher concentrations of active ingredients than those typically used in spa facials, which are often geared toward a more relaxing, pampering experience.Â
âWhen facials are done in a medical office, theyâll often be more traumatic, but youâll end up with more results,â says Dr. Janet Allenby, a dermatologist in Delray Beach, Florida. For instance, while a low-concentration chemical peel may be used during a classic spa facial, medical facials usually involve higher-concentration acids, like glycolic acid, can be used for deeper effects and more significant results. These stronger agents could damage skin if theyâre not used properly, which is why itâs important that theyâre used only under trained medical supervision. Â
Some providers customize their facials using an extract from your own blood. âA stem cell facial uses platelet rich plasma (PRP) to isolate your bodyâs own natural growth factors, to enhance collagen regeneration, minimize line lines, and add subtle volume to the face,â says Dr. Jill L. Hessler, a facial plastic surgeon in Palo Alto, California. âThis type of facial is a celebrity favorite. it can also be referred to as a Vampire Facial, or a Vampire Facelift when injections are also performed.â
There isnât a straightforward answer to this question, since there are so many different types of facials, says NYC dermatologist Dr. Dina Strachan in a RealSelf Q&A. âThey certainly can be safe, but all procedures have risks. Does the facial simply entail rubbing a mild cream on the face, or are acids being applied and other procedures being done? Who is performing the facial? Is the person licensed? Are there underlying skin problems? What are the goals of the facial?â The upshot, according to Dr. Strachan: âFacials are generally considered low-risk, but only get your facial from a qualified professional.â
RealSelf Tip: Doctors on RealSelf are divided when it comes to having facials when youâre on isotretinoin. The acne treatment (commonly known as Accutane) makes skin more sensitive and prone to scarring. Be sure to discuss having one with your doctor beforehand.
âFacials should be performed by qualified professionals who can analyze skin and decide which products should be used,â says Toronto dermatologist Dr. Martie Gidon in a RealSelf Q&A. Itâs important that your goals are clearly stated and the treatment is based on them.
To be sure your skin is in good hands, check that the person performing your facial is licensed. Also key: your aesthetician should know your medical history. That includes what medications you take or anything youâre allergic to, including aspirin (salicylic acid peels contain an ingredient related to aspirin). Make sure to let your aesthetician know if youâre using any new topical creams. Retinols can also make your skin more sensitive. âAs your skin is acclimating to the retinol, flaking can occur,â cautions Dr. Hessler. âThis can lead to uneven penetration of peels, leading to areas of greater depth or burns.â
Having a facial in a doctorâs office has an added advantage, since the aesthetician can call in a doctor if they find somethingâfor instance, an unusual growth or rashâthatâs outside their scope of expertise.Â
Related:Â The 4 Biggest Mistakes People Make During an At-Home Facial
Many doctors on RealSelf offer the HydraFacial, a multistep treatment done with a patented device. The HydraFacial is highly customizable. âIt offers so many different components that we donât always end up doing, but it allows us to gear the facial to the patientâs needs,â says Dr. Allenby.
The device cleanses (the vacuum-assisted exfoliation is less painful than traditional extraction), exfoliates, and has the potential to perform different levels of chemical peels. At the end of the procedure, special boostersâantioxidants, hyaluronic acid, and peptidesâcan also be added, tailored to your skin concerns.
A series of the 30-minute treatments, which are safe for all skin types and tones, can help correct hyperpigmentation and uneven skin tone, smooth fine lines, reduce the appearance of enlarged pores, and clear and prevent acne. Its moisturizing, brightening effects improve with multiple sessions.
A classic facial usually lasts about an hour and includes some variation on these steps.Â
Extractions can be a little uncomfortable, so Dr. Michele Green, a dermatologist in New York City, recommends taking Tylenol about 30 minutes before your facial.Â
RealSelf Tip: âWait two weeks before having a facial after fillers, such as Restylane and JuvĂ©derm. Wait longer if swelling and bruising are still present. You donât want to move the product or develop any infections,â says Dr. Gidon.
It depends on the type of facial you have. Your skin will usually be slightly inflamed and pink, but that should resolve in a couple of hours. Youâll be able to apply makeup afterward and resume your everyday activities. But for maximum benefit, Dr. Allenby recommends leaving the skin alone for the rest of the day. Steaming, extractions, and exfoliation can make it more sensitive, so taking a break from makeup and skin-care products will allow it to calm down.Â
If you have a more medical facial, like one that incorporates a peel or microneedling, your skin may be red and irritated for a couple of days. Be sure to talk to your aesthetician beforehand about aftercare and when you can resume your regular skin-care routine. Some treatments incorporated into a facial can increase the skinâs sensitivity to sunlight, so itâs important to follow the post-procedure protocol advised by your aesthetician.Â
RealSelf Tip: Plan ahead. Skin may be red and blotchy post-facial, and sometimes a facial can trigger a breakout, so donât schedule a treatment less than a week before a big event.
Updated February 20, 2024