How Often Should One Do a Facial? Timing is Everything.

By Diana O’Donnell, Licensed Esthetician

For optimal skin health and beauty, professional facials at a reputable facial spa are a key part of your routine skin care. Timing those treatments, however, is not the same for everyone because different ages, skin types and conditions have different needs. An experienced, licensed Esthetician will have the knowledge to assess your skin and create a treatment plan personalized for you. Your age, occupation, lifestyle, weekly time in the sun or exposure to the elements, skin type & condition, etc., are all factors in determining how often you should do a facial. What your home skin care products and regimen is like also influences this decision.

The Rule of Thumb is to Have a Facial Once Every 4 Weeks

This is the average amount of time it takes for your skin’s cells to regenerate in your mid 20s and early 30s. This 28-day timeframe is the baseline cell turnover rate we want to keep our skin at to slow the visible aging process. By the time you reach 50 years old, the skin’s turnover cycle is up to the 60-day range and continues to slow to 90 days as you get older.

Obagi Blue Peel Radiance is available at Diana O'Donnell Skin Care

Professional, Clinical Facials Are Best for Visible Results

A high quality, clinical facial such as a professional-strength Chemical Peel, HydraFacial, or even Dermaplaning will greatly accelerate your skin’s natural renewal process. Over time, monthly clinical facials will effectively delay your signs of facial aging. Those who receive monthly facials over a period of years, often look more youthful, radiant and naturally beautiful than those who only do things like injections, filler and/or plastic surgery. All of those things are absolutely excellent options, they don’t necessarily address tired, dull-looking or rough-textured skin. They don’t fix large pores, balance excessively dry or oily skin, or remove unsightly dark spots from sun-damage. So regardless of any invasive, medical procedures, regular facials should always be added into the mix at the appropriate timing with your other treatments.

Budget an Issue? Quarterly is an Option

For someone who wants to have facials done, but budget or time is an issue, the maximum amount of time in between would be about 3 months. If you can get 4 advanced, clinical facial treatments in, you will absolutely be better off in the long run.

Microcurrent Facial

How Close Together Can Facials Be?

The absolute minimum amount of time between facials would be once a week or two weeks, depending on the treatment and the person’s skin. If you are trying to address a particular problem, your Esthetician might have you sign on for a series of treatment, and often those will be spaced out at intervals something like once every week or two weeks to start, then perhaps after three treatments move to every four weeks.

Those with severe acne might need to have facials every other week to control and reduce flare-ups. Skin that is overly oily or dry also might require facials every other week for a period of time, whereas someone with easily irritated or sensitive skin might require every six weeks.

As you can see, while there is a general recommended course of treatment timing, how often you should do a facial can often vary from person to person. The best way to find out what’s right for you skin is to consult with an experienced Esthetician. Book a free consultation here to meet with Diana O'Donnell and talk about your skin!