If you’ve never visited a spa for a facial before, you’re probably wondering how long a facial takes and what the aesthetician will do during your time there. We’ll walk you through everything you need to know about getting your first in-spa facial, including:

• How long does a facial take?
• What happens during a facial?
• What should I use on my skin after a facial?

“Investing the time in a facial from an experienced aesthetician can be very beneficial for your skin,” says board-certified dermatologist and LovelySkin CEO, Dr. Joel Schlessinger. “Regular facials can encourage cell turnover, reduce breakouts and reduce signs of aging over time.” On top of the skin benefits, getting a facial at the spa can be a relaxing way to pamper yourself as well.

How Long Does a Facial Take?

A facial usually takes sixty minutes. Some spas might offer longer or shorter options, such as an extended ninety-minute facial or a thirty-minute express facial, but an hour is typically the standard at most spas.

What Happens During a Facial?

The exact sequence of treatments may vary from spa to spa, but most facials tend to consist of the following eight steps, says Alex Clausen, P.M.E., lead licensed clinical aesthetician at the LovelySkin Spa in Omaha, Nebraska.

1. Consultation and Skin Analysis

Your aesthetician will introduce themselves and likely kickstart a conversation to get to know you and your skin needs. “We will talk about the reasons for your visit, including your skin care concerns and the goals that you want to achieve on your skin care journey,” Clausen says. “We will go over all of the current products you are using to help come up with a plan for the treatment that day to ensure our clients feel that their concerns they came in with are being addressed.”

It’s also normal for your aesthetician to ask you some medical questions—such as whether you are currently pregnant or using any medications—that will determine what types of products are safe to use during your facial.

Then they will take an up-close look at your skin under a magnifying light and choose the products they’ll use during your facial based on your specific needs and concerns. If you have an important event coming up where your skin will be in the spotlight—from a big Zoom presentation to a wedding—now’s the time to mention it to your aesthetician!

2. Cleansing

Your aesthetician will start your facial by cleansing your skin. First, they will secure your hair with a headband or hair wrap. Next, you’ll lie down on your back on the treatment table as your aesthetician applies a cleanser which is then removed using a wet sponge or washcloth. This step will remove any traces of makeup, dirt and excess oil from your skin before moving on to the next step of your facial.

3. Exfoliation

Ready for glowing skin? Next comes exfoliation. Your aesthetician might apply a peel, enzyme treatment or scrub to buff away built-up dead skin cells revealing fresh, healthy skin beneath. Regular exfoliation will help promote cell turnover, which can help in reducing breakouts over time. “This is the true ‘treatment’ step of the facial and preps them for the next step, extractions,” Clausen says.

4. Extraction

The aesthetician will use professional-grade tools—and their professional expertise, don’t try this at home!—to perform extractions on your face. “Extractions are the removal of blackheads, papules or pustules,” Clausen says. “The client should always be informed and asked if this is OK before moving forward with this step.” Some facials will incorporate ten to fifteen minutes in front of a facial steamer to help loosen blocked pores before performing extractions.

5. Massage

Ready to achieve maximum relaxation? You’ve reached the massage portion of the facial. “Facial massage helps promote healthy skin while your facial muscles are being relaxed,” Clausen says. “Boosting blood circulation in the face, helping with sinus pressure, targeting fine lines and wrinkles, movements to help encourage skin lifting and facial rejuvenation are just a few benefits of facial massage.”

6. Mask

Next, your aesthetician will apply a mask treatment featuring skin care ingredients specifically chosen to address your skin needs or concerns. After the mask is applied, your aesthetician may massage your neck, shoulders, arms and hands, or they may leave you alone to relax and give the active ingredients time to penetrate your skin and go to work.

7. Product Application

After the aesthetician removes your mask, they will finish your facial by applying a series of skin care treatments. “This can include treatment serums, moisturizers, sunscreen, eye cream and neck treatment cream,” Clausen says. “Every client and their skin concerns are different which means that their post-care products should be tailored to them, just like the entire facial.”

8. Product Recommendations & Next Steps

The last step of your facial is discussing skin care recommendations with your aesthetician. “We will show them any products we would recommend and how to incorporate them into their skin care routine, as well as options for future treatments. Lastly, we will give them a timeline of when we would like to see them back for a follow-up,” Clausen says. “We will be sure to answer any last questions as well before they are checking out with us.”

4 Tips for Post-Facial Skin Care

1) Cleanse with a gentle facial wash such as NeoStrata Restore Facial Cleanser. This gel cleanser is formulated to lightly exfoliate skin without irritating or drying out even the most sensitive of skin by using polyhydroxy acid.

2) In place of a heavy makeup routine, opt for a tinted SPF such as Revision Skincare Intellishade TruPhysical. This formula’s sheer tint universally flatters all skin tones and helps conceal any blemishes or temporary areas of redness from extractions. It also provides SPF 45 protection with two mineral sunscreens, titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, so you can protect your newly pampered skin from future sun damage.

3) Keep your skin hydrated and balanced with a toner, such as LovelySkin LUXE Toner Mist. The star ingredient in this daily facial toner is afaLUXE™, a dermatologist-developed molecule that helps improve your skin’s moisture barrier.

4) Avoid retinols, peels and exfoliants for at least three days after your facial, Clausen says. Instead, opt for a lightweight replenishing moisturizer such as Epionce Renewal Facial Lotion. This hydrating lotion combines the power of a trio of oils—rosehip, safflower and avocado—to help keep your post-facial skin feeling soft and moisturized, while essential fatty acids work to help support your skin’s natural moisture barrier.

Are you looking to recreate a spa facial at home? These skin care products will help you recreate the best at-home facial.