Post-Facial Care: What to Avoid for the Best Results
Post-Facial Care: What to Avoid for the Best Results is a lesson I regularly teach my clients, especially after a professional or hydrating facial, when your skin barrier feels silky-smooth and like it’s been given a new lease of life.
I’ve been treating Melbourne skin long enough to have seen what happens when UV rays, heat exposure, or the wrong exfoliating products cause premature aging after a facial. Let’s review the exact post-treatment care steps that’ll help keep your great results and radiant glow going for days, not just hours.
Table of Contents
Why Aftercare Matters More Than You Think
Your skin has just had a targeted skin treatment – whether that was an enzyme mask, a bit of LED gadgetry, a collagen mask, some gentle chemical exfoliants, an enzyme facial or even some aesthetic treatments like a lactic acid peel or azelaic acid brightening treatment. All these things boost circulation, soften the surface, and, as a happy side effect, leave your barrier a bit more exposed to UV radiation & irritation.
I always say to my clients that a professional facial is only half the story – the other half is up to you when it comes to how you look after your skin in the days following with gentle skincare, good hydration, & broad-spectrum sunscreen. It’s essential for clients getting ready for a cosmetic tattoo at Face Figurati – whether that’s brows or something like aquarelle lip blush — nothing beats smooth, calm and well-hydrated skin for getting that tattoo to stay looking its best.
Skip Heavy Workouts and Heat Exposure
After you have a facial, your skin is warm and tender and just a bit vulnerable, so it’s a good idea to give physical activities a miss (so no gym sessions, long runs or intense cardio) in case you introduce too much sweat, friction and bacteria into the mix when your barrier is trying to recover.
Heat from steam rooms, saunas, hot showers, and even sitting too close to heaters is a bad idea, especially if your facial involves alpha hydroxy acids, beta hydroxy acids or enzyme exfoliation – all of which will make it even more likely that you’ll end up with some redness & inflammation.
Avoid for 24–48 hours:
- Do some high-intensity exercise for now
- Avoid steam rooms and saunas for a bit
- No hot yoga or heated exercise sessions
- Take it easy on the hot showers
- Keep a distance from heaters or warm air blowers
Dilated pores, flush skin – your beautiful post-facial calm has vanished in a flash. I’ve seen clients accidentally undo the benefits of a treatment by rushing in with a “quick workout” after a hydrating facial or acne-clearing treatment.
Hands Off Your Face (Seriously)
If you’ve just had a good exfoliation session – whether that’s from an enzyme facial, a mild chemical peel or a deep cleanse – the last thing you want to do is touch your skin with dirty hands. Think of it this way: every time you touch your face with unclean hands, you’re just inviting more problems – more irritation and yet more breakouts. The worst part is picking at dry areas or peeling bits from exfoliating acids like glycolic or lactic acid – this is just a surefire way to put a stop to the healing process.
Keep your hands off the following:
- The areas where your practitioner did extractions – you don’t want to cause yourself any more discomfort
- Any flaky patches – this can be really tempting, but trust us, you’ll regret it
- Areas of skin that feel tight and sore – this is just going to make things worse
- Any post-inflammatory spots – just leave these alone and let them heal
Your practitioner has already done all the hard work of getting your skin exfoliated – now all they need is for you to leave it alone at home and not mess things up with a few DIY “touch-ups“.
Step Back from Active Skincare Products
When you’ve just treated your skin with something like laser facials, LED therapy or enzyme-based treatments, the last thing you want to do is add more stress by doubling up on exfoliants, vitamin C, retinol or resurfacing serums. This will irritate the skin barrier and trigger noticeable redness.
Don’t even think about using the following for 48–72 hours:
- Retinol – this stuff is hard enough on skin at the best of times
- Alpha hydroxy acids (lactic, glycolic) – don’t even get started with these
- Beta hydroxy acids (salicylic acid) – same here
- Vitamin C (especially the stronger L-ascorbic forms) – this can be really tricky to use
- Azelaic acid, if you’re feeling warm or sensitive – trust us, this is just going to make things worse
- Chemical peels or at-home exfoliating acids – I mean, come on, give your skin a break
Instead, stick to simple hyaluronic acid serums, gentle hydrating cleansers and moisturisers that will help your skin to recover. Hyaluronic acid is especially good at restoring bounce after a facial, especially when you’re battling Melbourne’s dry weather, and everything seems to be pulling moisture from your skin.
UV Exposure
After a facial, your skin is highly sensitive, and UV rays penetrate more deeply, leading to pigmentation, redness, and increased sensitivity. Your skin expert will always tell you this: using a broad-spectrum SPF 30, or at least SPF 30+, is the bare minimum to keep your skin protected.
Don’t even think about:
- Sitting outside in the direct sunlight
- Going to the beach
- Going for a run or doing any strenuous exercise outside
- Sitting near windows that let in a lot of sunlight
Melbourne’s UV radiation can be way higher than you think, even on what looks like lovely, cool, or cloudy days. If you have skin of colour, the risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation increases significantly after chemical exfoliants or IPL (intense pulsed light) treatments.
A Quick Comparison Table
| Activity | Why Avoid It? | How Long? |
|---|---|---|
| Workout or sweating | Irritates freshly treated skin, increases redness | 24–48 hrs |
| Steam rooms/saunas | Heat exposure worsens inflammation | 48 hrs |
| Active acids/Vitamin C | Too strong for the exfoliated state | 48–72 hrs |
| Makeup | Can clog the opened pores | 24 hrs |
| UV exposure | High pigmentation risk | 72 hrs |
| Scrubs/exfoliants | Over-exfoliation leads to barrier damage | 1 week |
| Fake tan | Clings unevenly to fresh skin | 48 hrs |
Makeup: When Can You Wear It Again?
Your skin will need a break after a facial, especially if you’ve been using exfoliating acids or enzyme treatments. Mineral makeup is the only safe option if you absolutely have to wear something, but ideally, give your skin 24 hours to breathe.
Avoid using:
- A heavy foundation that’s going to be far too much for your skin
- Any cream contour products that are going to be too rich
- Old brushes or sponges that are probably full of old makeup and germs
You don’t want to get into a situation where youve got freshly exfoliated skin, and there’s still a load of makeup residue on there – that’s just a recipe for disaster and a big ol breakout.
Don’t Peel, Pick, or Scratch
After a chemical exfoliant, enzyme facial, or acne-clearing session, your skin may be flaking. But the last thing you want to do is go in and start picking – that’s just going to disrupt the healing process and leave you with pigmentation issues in all sorts of skin tones.
Instead, try a cold compress to ease the discomfort and have a good long drink of water – you’ll feel a lot better in no time.
Melbourne Weather and Your Skin
In a crazy climate like ours, post-treatment care is even more critical than ever. Those cold winds are going to strip your skin barrier bare, and the sun can pop out on you when you least expect it – that’s a significant risk for damage. People who stay on top of their hydration and SPF 30 routines, though, are usually the ones who keep their results looking good for longer – especially after wrinkle treatment, carbon facials or laser work.
You can do yourself a world of good by making a few small changes, like switching to silk pillowcases to prevent skin fraying, sleeping on your back to avoid cheek friction, and generally keeping an eye on how you’re treating your skin, one step at a time.
Avoid Laser Treatment Too Soon
Facials already get your skin in a bit of a state, so it’s a bit silly to go and do Laser Hair Removal, or non-ablative laser or fractional ablative laser treatment right after one – that just increases the risk of irritation for no good reason. Recommended time to hold off:
- Waxing/threading/shaving: You can do that as soon as 3-7 days later
- Laser treatment: At least 1-2 weeks (depending on how sensitive your skin is and just how much exfoliation was involved)
Just get a quick skin analysis from your dermal therapist, and that will give you a good idea of how long you should wait. The same cautious approach applies to laser tattoo removal aftercare, where the skin also needs time to rebuild before introducing additional treatments.
Final Thoughts
Post-facial care is about treating your skin gently, avoiding irritation, and allowing it to calm and settle after the treatment. The gentler you are, the longer the glow will last, and the better your results will be next time you do something to get your skin looking great.
If you are planning to get cosmetic tattooing — whether that includes powder brows and lashes or other treatments — or need tailored advice on caring for your skin after a treatment, I’m here to help.
Post-Facial Care Expert
At my permanent makeup studio, I’m often asked about Post-Facial Care: What to Avoid for the Best Results. The first 24–72 hours after a treatment are crucial for protecting the skin barrier and allowing your results to settle properly. I always advise avoiding active ingredients, excess heat, intense workouts, and direct sun exposure. Over-exfoliating or introducing new products too quickly can compromise skin recovery and reduce the overall benefit of your facial. The key is keeping your routine simple, hydrating, and consistent — giving your skin the calm environment it needs to deliver the best possible outcome.
FAQ
Can I wash my face after a facial?
Yes, you can – just wait at least 6 hours and use a non-stripping moisturiser and cleanser.
Can I use vitamin C after a facial?
Yes, but give it 48-72 hours, especially if you’ve been using AHAs, BHAs, or chemical exfoliants.
My skin feels tight — is that normal?
Yeah, it probably is. Chemical peels and enzyme facials remove a layer of dead skin; use a hyaluronic acid serum and moisturiser to help ease tightness.
When can I resume my regular skincare routine?
Most clients can return to normal about 72 hours after a treatment, unless they’ve had a laser facial or a more in-depth procedure.
Do gift vouchers cover hydrating facials and rejuvenation sessions?
They do, most of the time – so if you bought a voucher for a treatment and you want to know if it covers other things, then just check with the clinic.