What to Know Before Your First Facial, According to the Beverly Wilshire's Lead Spa Therapist

Your first facial is a rite of passage. Between viral products and trends, sometimes you just need to put things, or in this case, your face, in the hands of an expert. While you can have a multi-step skin care routine down, a facialist can also offer expertise, special treatments, and practices that might be more difficult to do on your own, especially because they have specialized gear and products.

While at the Beverly Wilshire, A Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills for a beauty shoot, the hotel invited me to their new spa for a facial with Lead Spa Therapist Gillian Garcia. In addition to deep cleansing my skin (and showing me all the gunk that came out), she gave me a lymphatic massage to reduce the appearance of my undereye bags, face and lip treatments for hydration, and even SPF for the rest of my afternoon.

She also answered all my questions about what you need to know before your first facial, from how you should prep to how to upkeep results in between spa visits. Scroll on for everything you need to know about your first facial.

Garcia says a young person may notice it’s time for a facial when their skin “is sending ‘maintenance required’ signals.” Visually, that looks like the “presence of blackheads and whiteheads that are not improving with daily cleansing and weekly gentle resurfacing.” While observing texture, you may notice, “bumpy skin, uneven skin tone, or rough patches.”

“Keeping a super simple skin care routine a few days before a facial is essential,” Garcia says. “Skipping strong actives such as retinols, [Alpha Hydroxy Acids] (AHAs), [Beta Hydroxy Acids] (BHAs), and benzoyl peroxide will reduce the risk of irritation. Avoiding long sun exposure, waxing or threading for at least 48 hours will help ensure the skin is not compromised.”

Closer to the appointment, there are just two things to note. “Drinking enough water before the facial will keep skin hydrated,” Garcia advises. “Skipping makeup the day of your facial will help maximize your treatment time.”

Make sure you’re also ready to share some key details about your skin. “The esthetician will ask about skin concerns, wellness goals, current routine and any allergies or sensitives before the facial,” Garcia says. She also recommends arriving at the appointment early as most spas will have questionnaires for the recipient, or if they’re a minor, their guardian, to fill out before the facial.

There’s no hard and fast answer. Instead, you should look to your skin’s needs. Garcia says, “It is dependent on the skin type and condition, but generally it is ideal to get a facial every four to six weeks to match the skin’s natural renewal cycle and prevent skin congestion.”

You don’t want to overdo it with facials, but you probably want that glowy finish to last as long as possible. Garcia has a few tips for that. Young people should focus on a simple and consistent skin care routine and healthy daily habits to maintain a balanced skin in between facials,” she says. “A simple daily facial routine may include cleansing with a gentle cleanser, applying lightweight moisturizer and SPF. Exfoliate with a mild enzyme peel one to two times per week and use a spot treatment on active breakouts.”