Quarterly facials are essential to maintaining healthy skin all year long. Booking an appointment every three to four months is all you need—no more, no less! Monthly facials, or even facials every six to eight weeks, can lead to sensitized skin, barrier damage and dehydration—plus, the cost and time is totally unnecessary.

If you want the best results, there’s more to your facial than the treatment itself. How you prepare and take care of your skin before and after is just as crucial. In fact, there are several things you should (and shouldn’t!) do before a facial.

Need a hand? Follow these dos and don'ts before and after your next facial appointment to ensure you get the most out of your professional treatment.

What To Do Before Your Facial

Cleanse your face.

Before heading to your facial, make sure to remove any makeup, dirt, or impurities from your skin. When you cleanse your face thoroughly, this helps the treatment penetrate deeper, so you can receive all the amazing benefits it has to offer. Once you’ve cleansed, keep it that way! You’ll want to arrive at your appointment without any makeup or skincare products. The products will work much better directly on your skin, without a barrier of other ingredients getting in the way. It’s fine to moisturize, but skip any treatments that interact negatively with your facial. Ultimately, your provider needs a clean slate to work with.

Drink plenty of water.

It’s important to always stay hydrated to keep your skin looking healthy and glowy—but it’s especially essential before your facial appointment. Drink plenty of water during the week leading up to your treatment. Here’s why: When your skin is hydrated, it better absorbs the skincare products and treatments used during your treatment. Just make sure you’re not drinking so much that you need to run to the bathroom during your appointment!

Don’t be afraid to speak up.

Before you head to your facial, make a list of all of your skin concerns, expectations and any ingredient preferences you may have. You’ll want to communicate these with your esthetician as soon as possible. Another helpful hint? Give your esthetician a list of the skincare products and ingredients you’re currently using. These lists will help them create a targeted, personalized treatment plan that’s specialized to your needs.

Keep out of the sun.

We all know that overexposure to sunlight without protection can cause significant damage to your skin. Be even more careful during the week leading up to your appointment. A sunburn or tan can cause irritation with the products used during your facial. If you need to be outdoors, make sure to wear sunscreen that’s SPF 30 or higher.

Avoid harsh skincare products or major changes.

Steer clear of scrubs, exfoliators, peels or any active ingredients, like alpha hydroxy acids and beta hydroxy acids, at least a week before and after your facial. You’ll also want to avoid any changes to your skincare routine. Otherwise, your complexion will likely become super irritated and inflamed during and after your treatment.

What To Do After Your Facial

Hold off on other appointments.

Although it’s tempting to couple a facial with another spa treatment on the same day, be sure to avoid anything skincare related, like waxing, threading, or chemical peels for the first few days after your appointment. You’ll be risking irritation, which can negatively impact the results of your facial.

Follow a hands-off approach.

After your facial, your skin will look and feel luxuriously smooth to the touch—but keep your hands to yourself! Unfortunately, this can transfer dirt, bacteria, and oil to your complexion, which might cause breakouts or irritation. Also, it’s a no-brainer, but avoid picking at your skin, especially after a facial when it’s extra sensitive.

Go makeup free.

Your skin is at its most sensitive post-facial. Unfortunately, heavy makeup can clog your pores and prevent your skin from breathing—which is absolutely necessary after your treatment. Our advice? Go makeup free for at least 24 hours until your skin has recovered—or at the very least, opt for light, breathable makeup.

Follow your esthetician’s skincare routine.

Once your facial is complete, you might be wondering: What can I put on my face? You’ve already been instructed to avoid makeup, scrubs, toners, exfoliants, new products, vitamin C, retinol, and acne treatments. What’s left? Your esthetician will help you out! They will likely recommend gentle skincare products for the first two to three days post-facial. After that, you can resume normal skincare treatments and products. In addition, you’ll want to avoid sun exposure and keep your skin hydrated from the inside out with plenty of water.

A few final tips:

• Avoid washing your face or taking a shower for the first six hours after your treatment.
• Avoid drinking caffeine the morning of your appointment time.
• Avoid exercising right after your treatment, since sweating might remove facial products.
• Avoid swimming, water or steam to your face until at least six hours after your treatment.