How Often Should You Get A Facial For Maximum Benefits?

Facials may sound fancy, but they are a beneficial approach to caring for your skin. After experiencing the soothing power of gentle washing, exfoliation, and a pleasant massage, it is enticing to want to get multiple facials in a month. However, how frequently should you get a facial? Is it okay to get several facials in a month? How long should you wait between facial sessions? This article will answer all of your questions and more. Keep reading to know more!

What Is A Facial?

A professional facial procedure involves various customized treatments to keep your skin healthy and prevent common issues. Professional facial treatments help your skin relax and rejuvenate.

Normally, facial treatments involve massage, steam, extraction, exfoliation, facial masks, lotions, creams, and peels. While these are classic facial treatments, the world of professional facials also involves medical-grade treatments like LED facials, HydraFacial, chemical peeling, oxygen therapy. These facials are performed by skin care experts, aestheticians, and dermatologists.

Facials work as a quick pick-me-up for your skin. Professional facials also focus on specific skin issues like hyperpigmentation, dark spots, wrinkles, and fine lines. But for visible results, you must go for regular facials rather than opting for them as a quick-fix during special occasions. This brings up the question – how often should you have a facial? Let’s find out.

How Often Should You Get A Facial To Reap The Maximum Benefits?

The answer is – once per month.

This is the ideal gap you must maintain as the skin cells renew after four weeks (1). Getting a professional facial more than twice a month can irritate your skin. However, the frequency may differ according to the type of facial treatment you are undergoing, and you may need more than one session in a month. It is better to consult an aesthetician or dermatologist and decide the frequency.

Also, consider the following factors before deciding the facial frequency:

1. Skin Type

This is a major factor to consider. If you have oily and acne-prone skin and blackheads, you may avoid facials, especially scrubs. However, you can opt for frequent extraction sessions (at least twice a month) done by dermatologists. This may help prevent breakouts and keep your skin clear.

2. Age

Age is one of the biggest factors that can influence any skin care treatment, including facials. With age, the body produces less collagen, and your skin may become thinner. Mature skin takes time to rejuvenate compared to younger skin. Hence, you may have to redesign the facial schedule (for older skin) and go for frequent sessions. Consult a dermatologist or aesthetician for proper guidance.

3. Skin Care Goals

Consider your skin care goals before going for a facial and deciding the frequency. First, you need to be sure about what you want out of your facial treatments. Are you opting for facials to maintain the youthful look of your skin? Do you have any skin issues (like pigmentation, tanning, sun damage, and acne issues) that you want to address?

Once you are sure about the skin needs and the outcome you expect from the facial treatment, proceed with the routine accordingly.

Trivia

Ancient Egyptians, including Queen Cleopatra, practiced an early form of facial peel by bathing in sour milk for exfoliation and skin restoration.

Dr Cindy M Duke, a Clinical Assistant Professor, details her love for facials. She admits that she loves facials due to the power of touch. She wrote, “However, once in a while, it is essential to pamper yourself, including getting a professional facial, when possible. For me, I try to get them once monthly but if that is too often for you, even twice a year facials are better than none (i).”

Now that you have an idea of how often to get facials, the next thing to ponder upon is the benefits of facial treatments, which are not limited to your skin. Let’s take a look.

Benefits Of Getting A Facial Every Eight Weeks

1. Reduces Stress And Anxiety

Facial massages stimulate your sympathetic nervous system and reduce psychological distress. Studies have found that 45 minutes of facial massage can reduce anxiety levels and negative moods and refresh your mind (2). This means a good facial massage can leave you with glowing skin, a relaxed mind, and a happy mood.

Quick tip

Enhance facial massage by incorporating tools like gua sha stones or jade facial rollers for added relaxation and skin benefits.

2. Enhances Treatment Of Skin Issues

Chemical peeling treatments are one of the most popular facial therapies to minimize skin issues like acne, post-inflammatory pigmentation, melasma, and photodamage and improve skin radiance and luminosity. Superficial peels are also used to fade acne scars and changes in skin texture.

These peels stimulate skin cell regeneration at different skin depths to promote collagen development, stimulate epidermal growth, and evenly distribute melanin pigments (3).

3. Detoxifies The Skin

One of the major benefits of a facial is that your skin receives a deep cleansing. Facial treatments involve exfoliation, massages, and cleansing to remove dead cells, impurities, and buildup from the pores. If left unchecked, they can clog the pores and cause acne, blemishes, and infection.

4. Improves Blood Circulation

Facial procedures often involve the use of massage rollers. Even five minutes of facial massage can improve the blood flow to the cheeks and skin. Regular massaging can improve the vascular dilation response (widening of blood vessels, leading to improved blood flow) (4). Massaging with your fingers may also have similar benefits. This might be helpful for most, except those with sensitive skin and rosacea.

5. Improves Skin Firmness

Massaging the skin with facial massagers can amplify the benefits of anti-aging skin care products, thus giving better results. A study found that daily treatment with massage devices and anti-aging cream on the face and neck increased expression of elastin fibers (5). This was seen with massaging devices that provide cyclic mechanical stimuli around 75Hz.

Wrapping Up

Regular facials provide noticeable improvement in your skin. Facial therapies performed by trained aestheticians and skin care experts can help manage multiple skin issues like hyperpigmentation, wrinkles, blemishes, acne, and maintain skin elasticity. They select products and treatments according to your skin type, issues, and other factors. If you have not considered facial therapies yet, it is time to take the first step and say hello to healthy skin!

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should you get a facial in your 30s?

If you are in your 30s, getting a facial once a month is ideal.

Is a weekly facial too much?

Yes. Excess facial may cause long-term damage to your skin.

Do they pop pimples during a facial?

Yes. Your esthetician may pop pimples or clean your clogged pores during a facial.

Why does my face look worse after a facial?

Your skin may experience redness after a facial, which is normal. But it could also be a result of ingredients used in the facial.

Should you shower after a facial?

No. Avoid taking a shower immediately after a facial. You must wait for at least 6 hours after a facial.

How many days does the face glow after a facial?

The glow will last for 48 to 72 hours after a facial.

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Dr. Surbhi MahajanMBBS, MD (Dermatology)

   

Dr. Surbhi is a dermatologist with over 13 years of experience. After a few months into practice as a consultant dermatologist, she realized that there is more to explore in dermatology when her patients asked questions like, "What is my skin type?", “Which face wash or anti-aging cream should I buy?", or "Do natural skincare products work?" This led her...more

Ramona SinhaEditor

 

Ramona is an editor at StyleCraze with 11 years of experience in writing and editing. She has authored over 200 articles on skin and hair care. She graduated from the University of Calcutta, West Bengal, and did her post-graduation from the University of Kalyani, West Bengal. She also did a certificate course in dermatology offered by the Novosibirsk State University...more

Eshna DasAssociate Editor

Eshna is an associate editor and a certified skin care coach. She has over three years of experience, a triple main bachelor’s degree in psychology, English, and journalism from Mount Carmel College, Bengaluru, and a master’s degree in psychology from Sampurna Montfort College, Bengaluru. Her passion for writing and editing and her background in psychology help her create content that...more

Swathi ESenior Beauty & Lifestyle Writer

Swathi has a postgraduate degree in English literature from The English And Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad, and over three years of experience in writing on beauty, health, and lifestyle. She also has a diploma in English journalism from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication, Kottayam, and is a certified skincare coach. Her interest in staying updated on beauty and lifestyle...more