Are you ready to achieve fresh and radiant skin? This pre facial guide will walk you through everything you need to know before entering the treatment room. Whether you’re looking for advice on how to prepare for a facial or what to do beforehand, this simple pre facial checklist will help you get the most out of your experience and feel great doing it. It all begins with proper skin preparation so you can unlock that radiant glow.
Whether you’re a first-time or regular visitor, these steps help keep your skin ready for a glowing treatment.
What Is a Pre Facial and Why Does It Matter
A pre facial is not just about washing your face before your appointment—it’s a set of steps that ensure your skin is fully prepared for treatment. Consider it the preparation of the canvas before you paint. When your skin is balanced, clean, and hydrated, products applied during the facial procedure can absorb better and provide you with more intense results.
Following the right pre facial preparation also reduces the chances of irritation, breakouts, or uneven results. It enables your aesthetician to concentrate on applying a personalized treatment rather than taking a prolonged time to clear the makeup, oil, or dirt.
At Arynova Aesthetics, whether you opt for a signature facial or a dermaplaning facial, being prepared makes the procedure go more effectively and makes the whole experience much easier and comfortable.
How To Prepare For A Facial?
Learning how to prepare for a facial prevents irritation and guarantees smoother and glowing results. These are a few simple tips with details:
1. Avoid harsh products
At least 48 hours before your appointment, stop using any exfoliating acids (such as glycolic or salicylic acid) or retinoids, or scrubs. These products accelerate cell turnover, and your skin may become overly sensitive as a result.
Using them too close to your treatment might cause your skin to turn red, sting, or even peel off more than expected. Giving your skin a temporary break will enable the aesthetician to work on your skin using professional products without causing any discomfort.
2. Stay out of the Sun
Stay away from tan beds and intense sun a week before a facial. Steam, extraction, or exfoliation does not work well with sunburned or irritated skin. Rather than glowing, your skin could end up even more inflamed. Also, most pre facials contain active ingredients that can potentially increase sensitivity to UV rays, and prepping beforehand will give you a safer and more effective result.
3. Do not mix treatments
Wait a minimum of 2 weeks after you have done other procedures like chemical peels, laser treatments, or microneedling. Such treatments already expose your skin to healing and exfoliating processes.
Performing a facial immediately after them may overwork your skin, irritate it, or delay healing. Spacing them out means allowing your skin to recover and letting each treatment take maximal effect.
4. Hydrate well
Drink lots of water before your appointment. When skin is hydrated, it is plump, soft, and able to absorb serums, masks, and moisturizers better. On the one hand, dehydrated skin can leave products on the surface without being well absorbed.
5. Communicate clearly
Tell your aesthetician about medications, anti-acne treatment products, or allergies you have. Some products are not compatible with other prescription creams or oral medication, and your provider may need to adjust the ingredients.
As an example, individuals taking acne medicine such as Accutane or strong retinoids need milder facials. Sharing your skincare history will assist your aesthetician in providing you with the safest, most effective approach suited to your skin.

What to do Before A Facial?
If you’re wondering what to do before a facial, here’s a simple checklist with explanations to make your appointment more comfortable and effective:
- Don’t show up with heavy lotions, sunscreen, or oils on your face. A clean face would save your aesthetician time and enable them to immediately begin the treatment process. And, when there are residual products left, it may hinder the effects of the cleansing and exfoliation during the facial.
- Avoid caffeine (coffee, energy drinks, or alcohol) 24 hours before the treatment time. These beverages have the potential to dry out your skin and even cause skin sensitivity. As an example, caffeine may cause tightening of blood vessels, whereas alcohol may result in puffiness or dryness. Both may disrupt the natural balance of skin, making your pre facial less efficient.
- One of the easiest beauty secrets is sleep. When you’re well-rested, your skin has had time to repair itself, which means your facial will work on a healthy base. Fatigued skin may appear pale and be more sensitive to treatment.
- Wear loose and airy clothing or a button-up shirt. Most facials involve massaging around your neck, shoulders/ chest region. Wearing something easy to pull down or readjust will make you feel comfortable, and the experience will be much better. Comfort also ensures that your aesthetician can access your skin without any distractions.

Should You Wash Your Face Before a Facial?
Yes, should you wash your face before a facial? The answer is absolutely, but gently. Use a mild cleanser to remove surface dirt and light makeup. This helps your facialist start on fresh skin.
Avoid strong cleansers or scrubs right before your appointment, as they may cause redness or sensitivity. Your aesthetician will do a deeper cleanse once you’re there, but coming with a fresh face shows respect for your skin and your specialist’s time.
Should You Wear Makeup to a Facial?
Many clients ask, should you wear makeup to a facial before after facial? The best answer is no, don’t wear makeup to your appointment. If you arrive with foundation or heavy eye makeup, your aesthetician will need to spend extra time removing it.
Post-treatment, it’s best to stay makeup-free for at least 24 hours. Your pores will be open and freshly treated, so heavy cosmetics may clog them or cause breakouts. If you need makeup afterward, stick to light mineral-based products.

Before After Facial Care
Taking care of your skin both before after facial is the key to getting the best results. What you do in the hours leading up to your appointment prepares your skin, while your aftercare routine protects and maintains the glow you’ve just achieved. By following a few simple do’s and don’ts, you can make your facial more effective and help your results last longer.
| Before Facial | After Facial |
|---|---|
| Wash face gently (no scrubs) | Use mild cleanser & light moisturizer |
| Arrive makeup free | Apply SPF daily |
| Stay hydrated | Avoid makeup for 24 hrs (or use mineral if needed) |
| Sleep well | Skip exfoliants/retinoids for 2–3 days |
| Wear comfortable clothes | Avoid hot showers & workouts for 24 hrs |

Conclusion For Pre Facial Treatments
A pre facial is not just a step before a treatment, but it is the foundation for having clear, radiant, and rejuvenated skin. By adopting the correct preparation, you will not only prevent irritation but also maximize the benefits of your products during your facial.
Good skin pre-care before treatment enables your aesthetician to customize safely and effectively. Invest your time to prepare and experience the long-term benefits. Book your next pre facial appointment at Arynova Aesthetics and shine with confidence.
FAQs About Pre Facial Treatments
Should you wash your face before a facial?
Yes, you should gently wash your face before a facial, but avoid using harsh cleansers, exfoliants, or scrubs. Light cleansing removes dirt and excess oils without irritating the skin, helping your aesthetician start with a fresh, balanced canvas
Should you wear makeup to a facial?
It’s best to avoid wearing makeup before a facial, as your skin needs to be free from layers of foundation or powders. Makeup removal takes extra time and may clog pores, reducing the overall effectiveness of your treatment session.
What to do after a facial?
After a facial, avoid wearing makeup for 24 hours, don’t use harsh skincare products, and protect your skin from sun exposure. Hydrating your skin and giving it time to recover ensures longer-lasting, healthier, and more radiant results overall.
How to prepare for a facial at home?
Preparing for a facial at home means avoiding exfoliation, tanning, or other intense treatments for a few days beforehand. Arrive with clean skin, stay hydrated, and get enough rest so your skin responds more effectively to the professional treatment.
