Pre & Post Care: Preparing for Your Skin Treatment
Every skin journey is different, but the foundations of a good result are the same: great prep, gentle aftercare, and consistency. Below you’ll find everything you need to know to protect your skin, maximise your results, and enjoy your glow for longer.
Day 3-7 Before
What to do before your facial
Getting your skin treatment off to the best start begins a few days before you walk through the door. To prepare safely and effectively:
Pause active skincare (like Retinol, Vitamin A, AHA/BHA, and exfoliants) 3 days before a mild facial and 5–7 days before an advanced treatment.
Avoid hair removal on the treatment area for at least 72 hours prior.
Minimise sun exposure for 7 days before your appointment.
Come with clean skin if you can.
Let me know about any changes in your health, medications, or skincare products.
If you’re using Roaccutane or similar medications, you must discontinue at least 6 months before treatment.
Treatment Day
What to do the day of your facial
On the day of your appointment:
- Arrive with fresh, makeup-free skin if possible
- Bring a list (or photo) of your current skincare products if you’d like advice
- If you’ve recently been unwell, had sun exposure, or started new medications, please let me know
Day 1-3 After
How to look after your skin after a facial
In the first 72 hours post-treatment, your skin is in a state of renewal. The goal is to protect the barrier and avoid irritation:
- Avoid heat and steam: no hot showers, saunas, or sweaty workouts
- Pause actives: no Retinol, AHAs, BHAs, or Vitamin C
- No makeup for 12–24 hours
- Use a gentle cleanser, hydrating serums, and nourishing moisturiser
- SPF 50+ daily is non-negotiable
Mild redness, tightness, or tingling is completely normal. Flakiness or congestion may appear as part of the skin’s purging process.
Day 3–7 After
What to do between days 3–7 after your treatment
This is when you may start seeing visible renewal — smoother texture, clearer tone, and a fresh glow.
- Begin gentle exfoliation (1–2x/week) with Dermapolish or an enzyme exfoliant I’ve recommended
- Hydrate deeply with Hyaluronic Acid, Skin ResQ, and barrier-loving creams
- Still avoid strong actives unless we’ve discussed a custom plan
- Keep up daily SPF 50+ — your skin is still sensitive to UV
Let your skin guide you. If you’re still experiencing dryness or peeling, hold off on actives and focus on hydration.
Day 7+ After
How to prolong the results of your skin treatment
Consistency is key! Here’s how to keep your skin healthy and glowing between visits:
- Stick to a daily routine: cleanse, serum, moisturise, and SPF
- Introduce actives slowly — I’ll guide you based on your skin’s response
- Exfoliate 1–2x/week to maintain smoothness and support cell turnover
- Get enough water, sleep, and stress relief — lifestyle has a big impact on your skin
- Follow up with in-clinic treatments every 4–6 weeks (I’ll let you know what suits your goals)
SKIN TREATMENT GUIDE
Common Questions
What should I do before my skin treatment?
Avoid actives like Retinol, AHAs, BHAs, and Vitamin C for at least 3–7 days depending on your treatment. Skip waxing, exfoliants, and tanning. Arrive with clean skin, and update me on any changes to medications, skincare, or health.
What should I expect after a skin treatment?
Mild redness, tingling, or dryness is normal. You may experience flaking or purging around days 3–5 as old skin cells shed and your skin renews.
What should I do in the first 72 hours post-treatment?
Avoid heat, makeup, and strong actives. Stick to gentle, hydrating skincare and apply SPF 50+ daily.
What should I do between days 3–7 after my treatment?
Start light exfoliation (if I’ve advised it), hydrate well, and continue avoiding harsh actives. SPF is still a must.
Can I wear makeup after my facial?
Wait at least 12–24 hours before applying makeup — and only if necessary. Letting your skin breathe helps maximise your results.
How do I maintain results long term?
Consistency in homecare is key. Stick to the plan we build together, exfoliate 1–2x/week, and rebook treatments regularly.
When should I rebook my next facial?
For most clients, every 4–6 weeks keeps skin on track and results building. If we’re targeting specific concerns, I may recommend a custom plan.