11 Things Your Facialist Secretly Wants You to Stop Doing

A good facial is the ultimate beauty treat. It checks the self-care box (the massage being the best part, of course) but it also can help you achieve some of your skincare goals, from clearing breakouts to evening out hyperpigmentation. I chatted with three professional estheticians about what they wish their clients would stop doing before, during, and after their treatments. While some might be pet peeves, their advice is guaranteed to help you get the most bang for your buck—and the healthy, glowing skin of your dreams.
01
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Coming to Your Appointment With Freshly Styled Hair
"Scheduling a hair appointment right before your facial isn't ideal," explains Daisy Severino, esthetician and owner of Seda Skin Studio in Long Island. "If you're concerned about keeping your hair looking good, it could interfere with my ability to effectively manipulate your skin, which may lead to issues with getting too close to your hairline." Instead, arrive with a day or two old hair so you're not worried about getting your roots a little greasy or stressing over the fact that the headband might flatten your style.

02
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Using Actives Prior to Your Facial
"When actives are present, it limits the products and techniques I can use in your treatment, which may compromise the overall outcome," says Severino. Instead, she recommends avoiding active ingredients (like vitamin C, glycolic acid, and retinol) about three days before your appointment.

03
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Buying Products While You're Waiting
"When you walk in for your facial and glance at the products available to purchase, it's fine to keep mental notes of things you're interested in but it's important to wait until after your facial to actually buy them," reveals Samantha Susca, lead esthetician at Casa Cipriani in New York City. "Your facialist might have a different recommendation for your skin and it's better to take product recs and instructions from the person caring from your skin rather than the receptionist," she says.

04
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Buying Products From Random Sites
"Not everything on the internet is legit," Susca cautions. "Some things may even be expired, which can irritate your skin. It's always best to buy skincare through the person who recommends it. That way you're giving credit to the expert who is treating your skin."

05
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Waiting Until After Your Facial to Ask Questions
Another one of Susca's biggest pet peeves: "Waiting until after the facial to ask questions about products, treatments, and post-care instructions," she says. "Instead, engage with your esthetician during the time you have with them. If he/she has another client after your treatment, they won't have the availability to give you the time and attention you might need."

06
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Extracting or Dermaplaning at Home
"While I'm all about what you can do at home to maintain results, some things—like extractions and de-fuzzing your face—should be left to the expert," says Susca. "Doing these things to yourself with certain tools can actually lead to permanent damage."

07
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Expecting Optimal Results With Minimal Effort
"When clients come to see me sporadically and neglect their at-home regimen, it can be disheartening for both of us," explains Severino. "Each appointment feels like we're starting from scratch, making it hard to achieve real results. Consistency is crucial in skincare; it requires commitment and effort in order for you to see improvement. By following a personalized routine and attending regular sessions, we can build on progress and work together toward the healthy, glowing skin you want," Severino adds.

08
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Using The Sauna or Steam Room After Your Facial
Sure, saunas feel amazing but "Going into the steam right after your facial can negate the benefits of the treatment," says Severino. "We've just applied efficacious products to your skin and sweating it all out can dry your skin and wash away the benefits." (Go before your facial or skip it.)

09
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Expecting an Immediate Brightening Effect
"One thing I wish clients would stop doing is expecting immediate results in one treatment, especially if it's a first-time treatment," shares JoAnne Valentine, esthetician and owner of Reset Skin and Wellness in Long Island. "I want to help the client in the best, most efficacious way; however it takes time and patience to help correct years of skin damage, especially when it comes to pigmentation, which is one of my specialities."

10
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Not Giving Products a Chance to Work
"One last thing I wish clients would stop doing after a facial is changing and switching up their skincare products before they give them a chance to work," says Valentine. "Products take time—six weeks or more—to work. It's sometimes hard to be patient, but clients need to trust the process."

11
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Ghosting Your Esthetician
"If you experience a reaction after your treatment, it's important to contact me immediately and let me know what's happening so I can rectify the situation," Severino says. "Treating it yourself can worsen the issue; please give me the opportunity to help fix it—don't ghost me!"