How long should I wait to wash my face after a facial?

Author: Dr. Cathryn Harris DVM  |  Last update: Wednesday, July 16, 2025

It is best to wait 6-8 hours before cleansing your skin after a facial. If you get your facial in the evening, overnight is often easiest. Allow the serums, masks, and creams applied during your treatment plenty of time to penetrate your skin.

How many hours after a facial can I wash my face?

While you might want to cleanse your face immediately, following your esthetician's instructions is best. They may recommend waiting at least six hours or skipping a face wash after your facial to allow the serums and products to sit in. When you do cleanse, opt for a gentle, fragrance-free formula.

How long should I wait before washing my face again?

Ideally, you should wash your face twice daily, in the morning and again in the evening. You might also consider cleansing after any activity where the face becomes visibly covered with sweat, dirt or makeup.

How much downtime is needed after a facial?

Patients can return to their normal day after a facial, including returning to work. But, heavy makeup and facial products should be avoided, even if the skin is red after the treatment. Skin renewal treatments already open pores more than normal, making skin more susceptible to bacteria.

How do I maintain my face after a facial?

Here is what to do to care for your skin after a facial.
  1. Protect Your Skin from The Sun. ...
  2. Hydrate and Moisturize. ...
  3. Wait Before You Exfoliate. ...
  4. Refrain from Touching Your Face. ...
  5. Avoid Wearing Makeup. ...
  6. Reschedule Going to The Gym or Working Out at Home. ...
  7. Stay Away from Direct Heat to Your Skin. ...
  8. Go for One Skin Treatment at A Time.

Microneedling Aftercare Tips (best results for anti-aging skincare)

Do and don'ts after facial?

Drink plenty of water to keep yourself hydrated and help flush out toxins. Try not to touch your face or other treated areas, and skip any at-home facial massage. Your skin may be sensitive, so a hands-off approach is best. Avoid makeup for at least the rest of the day.

What is the best aftercare for a facial?

Avoid picking, squeezing or touching the area • Avoid the temptation to apply make-up for 6-12 hours where possible • Avoid any other exfoliating skincare products for 48 hours after treatment • Do not have any other facial skincare treatments within 48 hours • Avoid sunbathing or sunbeds for 48 hours after treatment • ...

How long does your skin purge after a facial?

When you come in for a facial and your skin is sensitive, congested/acne, your skin may purge for a couple of weeks after. This is NOT your new forever skin and it will start to clear in about 2 weeks after your facial.

What are the disadvantages of facial?

5 Side Effects of Facials You Can Help Clients Avoid
  • Irritation and Redness. The most typical side effects of a facial are redness and blotchy skin. ...
  • Breakouts. Bacteria that get into the skin during a facial typically cause post-facial outbreaks. ...
  • Scarring. ...
  • Dryness.

Can I wash my hair after a facial?

It's generally okay to wash your hair after a facial, but you should take a few precautions to protect your freshly treated skin. Ensure that the water temperature is lukewarm, as hot water can irritate your sensitive facial skin.

What is the 60 second rule for face wash?

‍What is the 60-second cleansing rule? Washing your face for 60 seconds is vital for multiple reasons: Firstly, it permits sufficient time for the cleanser to effectively remove dirt, oil, and makeup from your skin. This is essential for preventing clogged pores and breakouts.

Should I wash my face the night after a HydraFacial?

1How long should I wait to wash my face after a HydraFacial? Wait at least six hours to allow the serum applied during the treatment to fully absorb.

What are the benefits of not washing your face in the morning?

By not washing your face in the morning, you allow your skin to retain its natural moisture, especially if you've applied hydrating serums or creams the night before. That said, if you've used potent ingredients like retinol or strong acids overnight, a gentle cleanse in the morning is advisable.

How many days after a facial gives glow?

Dry skin: Absorbs moisture instantly, showing results within 1 day. Oily Skin: May take 1-3 days. Sensitive Skin: Might initially experience redness or irritation, but glow gets visible in 2-3 days. Acne-Prone Skin: Minor breakouts due to exfoliation may delay the glow by 3-5 days.

How often should you get a facial?

Pavitt says six to eight weeks is an ideal timeframe in between appointments. Medina-Cleghorn is a fan of getting a facial every four weeks so it aligns with the lifecycle of skin cells and allows your facialist to continue working on your skin health as old cells turn over and new skin cells emerge.

Why is my face so red after a facial?

Redness. It's normal for an area of the skin to experience redness after a facial treatment. It is more common in manual extractions that require force, like squeezing, to manage clogged pores and remove blackheads.

What is the best age for a facial?

Everyone's different, so there's no one best age to start getting facial rejuvenation treatment. If you've taken good care of your body, and your skin isn't prone to wrinkling, you might not have to come to the clinic until your 40s or 50s. However, many people get preventative treatment in their 20s and 30s.

Who should not get a facial?

Contraindications that PREVENT a facial treatment: Viruses such as colds, cold sores, warts, Bacterial infections such as impetigo, boils, conjunctivitis, styes, Fungal infections such as ringworm, blepharitis, Undiagnosed lumps or swelling, Broken bones, known sensitivity or allergy to products.

Why is my skin flaky after a facial?

Because chemical and enzymatic exfoliation breaks away that layer, it can continue working over time to loosen up the dead skin cell layer, causing you to feel amazing after your facial and dry a couple days later.

What shouldn't you do after a facial?

The Do's & Don'ts After Getting a Facial
  • Drink PLENTY of water. ...
  • Avoid the sun. ...
  • Avoid using active ingredients for 48 hours. ...
  • No hot water on your face. ...
  • Schedule hair removal wisely. ...
  • Always avoid touching your face, but especially post-facial. ...
  • While pores are open and freshly clean, go makeup free.

What does facial purging look like?

Breakouts often appear more sporadic in your usual problem spots. Purging often results in whiteheads and small raised red bumps on the skin, known as papules. True breakouts are more likely to induce nodules or cysts - larger, swollen, painful pimples that feel like knots under the skin.

How long after a facial does your skin look good?

Stage 2: 48-72 Hours After the Facial (2-3 days) The benefits of a facial don't stop once you leave the treatment room. In fact, you'll continue to see improvements in your skin for up to 72 hours after the treatment. This is because facials boost hydration and circulation, leading to improved skin texture and tone.

When can I wash my face again after a facial?

No, it's not recommended to wash your face immediately after a facial. Wait at least 12 hours to preserve the benefits of the treatment and avoid irritation.

Should you sleep after a facial?

It's generally safe to sleep after a facial, but you should wait until any post-treatment products have been fully absorbed. Avoid pressing your face into the pillow to prevent irritation.

How often should you get a facial in your 50s?

In your 50s, the ideal frequency for facial treatments is often extended to once every six to eight weeks. This interval allows for deeper nourishment and rejuvenation of mature skin, addressing age-related concerns like loss of firmness, deep wrinkles, and overall dullness.

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