Avoid These Skincare Mistakes: How Often Should You Get a Facial?
How do you know when you’re doing more harm than good for your skin? What are the signs to look out for?
Skin is a complex thing; How many of you reading this have experienced weeks, months, or years of perfect skin, only to wake up one day with spots? And nearly always when you most need your skin to look good!
The answer, I’m afraid, isn’t simple. While regular facials are the gateway to great skin, the ideal frequency for getting facials depends on several factors, including your skin type, skincare goals, and lifestyle. As a rule of thumb, it is recommended to get a professional facial every 4-6 weeks. This timeframe allows your skin to complete its natural regeneration cycle and ensures that treatments are effective and long-lasting. But let’s dive into the nitty-gritty of skincare mistakes and how often you should get a facial.
Special Considerations:
Skin Concerns: If you have specific concerns like acne, acne scaring, pigmentation, or aging, more frequent treatments may be recommended by your skincare professional.
Seasonal Changes: Adjust the frequency based on environmental factors such as humidity, temperature, and sun exposure.
How Regular Facials Contribute to Skin Health
Without trying to lose you in the science of skin (unless you’re like me and geek out over this part…), there’s a thing called your skin’s barrier. If you over-exfoliate or use too harsh products, you can damage the PH of your skin and ultimately leave yourself in poor skin health.
How can you tell if you’ve stripped your skin’s barrier? When your skin’s barrier is compromised, you’ll notice increased sensitivity, dryness, and flakiness. Your skin might feel tight and uncomfortable, look red and uneven, and you might experience more breakouts and rashes. These signs indicate that your skin is struggling to maintain its natural balance and needs gentle care to recover.
Maintaining your skin’s barrier is crucial, and regular facials play a significant role in this. But so does working with your facialist to understand the best at-home skincare routine to follow.
If you’re worried about over-exfoliating, I recommend only exfoliating once or twice a week and staying clear of facial washes with AHAs and BHAs (chemical exfoliants). Aim to receive facials on a regular basis to benefit from expert exfoliation that removes dead skin cells without over-stripping, as well as customized treatments that strengthen and repair your skin’s barrier.
When you find the right routine for you, you’ll not only improve the appearance and texture of your skin but also enhance its long-term health, making it more resistant to environmental stressors and everyday irritants.
Ongoing Skincare Maintenance
Maintaining skin health between facials is crucial for achieving long-lasting results and preventing common skin issues. Here are some tips and recommended products for daily skincare routines:
Daily Skincare Routine:
Cleansing: Use a cleanser daily to remove dirt, oil, and makeup, once in the morning and a double cleanse in the evening. I often choose a cheaper cleanser for my first cleanse (to get rid of makeup) and then go in with something that I can massage into my skin.
Exfoliating: Exfoliate 2-3 times a week to remove dead skin cells and promote cell turnover. Chemical exfoliants with AHAs and BHAs do a great job of exfoliating without damaging the skin (think of scratchy beaded exfoliants that can tear the skin!). If you notice that your skin’s barrier is damaged, consult your dermatologist or facialist and look to reduce the times you exfoliate.
Toning: Not a necessary step, but applying a toner can help balance the skin’s pH and prepare it for the next steps. I often opt for rose water, which has a neutral pH.
Moisturising: Use a moisturizer suitable for your skin type to keep it hydrated. This could be a thick cream or a gel-based moisturizer depending on your skin type.
Sun Protection: This is the number one golden rule of skincare (and anyone reading this who’s intimidated by the above, if there’s one thing to take away, please use sunscreen EVERY DAY, you will thank your future self).
Targeted Treatments: Use serums or treatments for specific concerns like acne, pigmentation, or aging. Think peptides, vitamin C, vitamin A, retinoids (confused? Book in a treatment and we can come up with a targeted plan).
Additional Tips:
Hydration: Drink plenty of water to keep your skin hydrated from within.
Healthy Diet: Incorporate a balanced diet rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals.
Avoid Touching Your Face: Keep unnecessary dirt from coming into contact with your face and for god’s sake, do not pick your spots, thank you!
In summary, getting regular facials every 4-6 weeks, avoiding over-exfoliation, and maintaining a consistent skincare routine are essential for healthy skin. Pay attention to your skin’s signals and adjust your routine as needed. For personalised advice and to ensure you’re on the right track, consider scheduling a facial. Your skin will thank you for it!
At Aion Aesthetics, we offer a variety of facial treatments tailored to your needs, including The Signature Facial, The Microneedling Facial, and The Chemical Peel Facial. If you’re unsure where to start, don’t hesitate to book a 15 minute free consultation or get in touch at hello@aion-aethetics.com