Whether logging hours at the gym, trying a new vitamin regimen or saving for a house… consistency is key to seeing results or reaching a goal!
Facials are no different when achieving that glowing skin you’ve dreamed of. While a one-off facial might leave your skin feeling temporarily hydrated and refreshed, continual facials are what make a lasting difference.
So how often should you get facials?
The answer is simple: most medical-grade facials can be done every 4 weeks. One month allows for a full cell turnover cycle which heals and regenerates your skin, unveiling the final result of the treatment.
If facials are performed too frequently, your skin does not have the necessary time to heal, causing irritation. This constant repetition without repair can cause more harm than good.
That said, everyone’s skin is different and requires a unique approach to achieve optimal results. It is best to follow the protocol recommended by a medical aesthetician.
At MD Cosmetic, we are experts at assessing our patients’ unique skin care concerns and developing personalized treatment plans. When it comes to facials, we recommend a personalized facial treatment plan depending on a variety of factors.
This article will discuss the factors that influence how often you should get a medical-grade facial, why regular facials are effective, and how to maintain the results of your skin investment.
3 Factors That Influence How Often to Get a Facial
Skin Type/Concern
First and foremost, it is important to consider your unique skin type and concern.
Whether your skin suffers from dryness, sensitivity, acne, maturity, or hyperpigmentation, all skin types react differently to facials. More specifically, skin type plays a significant role in how quickly the skin will recover from the facial, therefore, how often the facials should be done.
Some skin types may need more than 4 weeks to fully recover, while others may require a more frequent facial schedule to receive the best results. Regardless of skin type, nobody should get a medical-grade facial less than 4 weeks apart.
Type of Facial
The frequency of facial treatments largely depends on the facial intensity.
Medical grade facials can generally be sorted into 4 main categories: mild/gentle facial, laser resurfacing and light therapy, superficial to medium depth chemical peel, and deep chemical peel.
Mild/Gentle Facial
Mild medical-grade facials are gentle on the skin and typically involve microdermabrasion, exfoliation, hydration, and infusion of active ingredients. Our popular mild facial at MD Cosmetic is the HydraFacial.
These facials require no downtime and should be done monthly. If a monthly HydraFacial is unrealistic for your schedule or budget, a seasonal HydraFacial (every 3 months) can also be beneficial.
We also recommend taking the HydraFacial to the next level and upgrading to our Platinum option for lymphatic drainage, LED Therapy, and an added booster serum to target your specific skin concern.
MD Cosmetic has booster serums for growth factors, pigmentation, rosacea, and fine lines.
Laser Resurfacing & Light Therapy
Light and laser facials works to improve skin texture, pigmentation, scarring and can even help tighten skin. Most of these treatments can be done 2-4 weeks apart over the course of 3 months. Again, the exact timing will depend on the individual and the strength of the laser used.
Unlike mild facials, most light and laser facials require 2 weeks of downtime. A popular laser treatment at MD Cosmetic is Photofacial Rejuvenation (IPL).
Colleen, a Medical Aesthetician at MD Cosmetic, loves the IPL treatment! “IPL can provide dramatic results for rosacea redness and pigmentation even after 1 treatment.”
Superficial to Medium Depth Chemical Peel
A superficial chemical peel exfoliates the upper layers of the skin and uses either alpha-hydroxy (AHA) or beta-hydroxy (BHA) for skin resurfacing. This type of chemical peel can be performed 3-4 weeks apart.
Medium-Depth chemical peels reach the deeper layers of the skin by using glycolic acid or trichloroacetic acid (TCA). This chemical peel is more intense, requiring a minimum of 4 weeks to several months, depending on the individual’s sensitivity and skin type.
For Chemical Peels at MD Cosmetic, we ask our patients to quit using retinol 5 days before their treatment.
Keep in mind that most chemical peels at MD Cosmetic are not suitable for pregnant women, except for the mild fire and ice peel.
Deep Chemical Peel
Finally, a deep chemical peel uses a high concentration of TCA to penetrate the papillary dermis and, even deeper, the reticular dermis.
This is the strongest chemical peel requiring more downtime with about 2 weeks of peeling.
Despite the extended downtime, a deep chemical peel can be done every 4 to 7 weeks. Again, this depends on the individual’s reaction, and some patients may require more downtime between treatments.
At MD Cosmetic, our strongest peel is called the Alumier Glow Peel. A Medical Aesthetician, Tessa, says she “loves an aggressive treatment that will give excellent results.” In fact, the Alumier Glow peel is offered in a package of 3, which helps patients with consistency and results!
After 3 Alumier Glow Peels, we provide a post-treatment skincare kit.
Budget
It is wise to consider your budget when planning the frequency of facial treatments. High-quality medical-grade facials can be expensive; some are more expensive than others. That said, the results of consistent facials are worthwhile.
With multiple treatments on the horizon, it may be tempting to bargain hunt for the most affordable facial protocol… but cheaper isn’t always better. A cheap facial administered by someone lacking experience and knowledge can cause more harm than good.
Do your research and understand what and who you are paying for. A high-quality medical-grade facial by a skilled and reputable professional is worth every penny in the long run. Think of it as a long-term investment in the health and beauty of your skin.
Why Get Regular Facials?
While one facial can create a temporary glow, recurring facials provide dramatic results and can solve specific skin concerns.
With every facial, the results and progress are built upon the last session. That is why facials are recommended every 4 weeks for about 3 to 6 months. Depending on your skin type or concern, it is okay to wait 4 to 6 weeks between facials, but any longer, your skin might lose momentum in its progress.
Repetitive facials may seem like a time (and financial) investment, but they are a great alternative to more invasive and expensive procedures, like plastic surgery, that require much longer periods of downtime. Facials are a non-surgical option and, with consistency, offer dramatic results.
How to Maintain the Results of Your Facials
After all your invested time and money, the results of your facial treatments are only worthwhile if they are maintained.
The golden rule of skincare: always wear a high-quality facial SPF … and be generous!
Additionally, it is wise to invest in medical-grade skincare to maintain and even enhance your facial treatments’ results. Ultimately, skincare is a long-term project. It is always a good idea to schedule a facial to touch up your glowing skin.
Book Your Facials at MD Cosmetic!
We hope this article helped answer your questions regarding how often you should get a facial!
That said, there are still many things to consider when building a treatment plan – and that is where we come in. In our consultation process we will:
- Determine which facial treatment is suitable for your unique skin type
- Consider your ideal timeframe for results
- Understand your budget
- And finally, get an idea of your lifestyle
Book a consultation at one of our two locations, Abbotsford or Port Moody, to get your treatment plan started today!