Skin8 min read
What to Expect From a Professional Facial
A step-by-step walk through a professional facial, from the consultation to the massage, and what a facial can and can’t realistically do.
A professional facial does two things at once. It gives your skin a deeper and more thorough clean than you can manage at home, and it gives you an hour of genuine quiet. Judging by how many people fall asleep during the massage, that is often the part that was most needed.
We adapt the treatment to your skin as we find it rather than working through a fixed routine, because skin behaves differently in February than it does in July, and differently again when you have been sleeping badly.
What a facial involves
Most facials follow a recognisable arc: a double cleanse to remove make-up and then the skin’s own oils, an exfoliation step, some form of treatment mask, and a massage through the face, neck and shoulders before moisturiser and protection are applied.
The variations sit inside that structure. The exfoliation might be gentler or more thorough, the mask chosen for hydration or for congestion, the massage longer if you are carrying tension. That is where a professional treatment differs from a mask at home. The decisions are made by someone looking closely at your skin.
Facials and your routine at home
A facial is not a substitute for what you do daily, and it is fair to be sceptical of anything suggesting otherwise. Skin responds most to consistency: cleansing properly, using sun protection, and not changing products every fortnight.
What a facial adds is the deeper cleanse, the massage, and an outside opinion. If your routine has drifted into something complicated that is not working, the conversation during the treatment is often more valuable than the treatment itself.
If your skin is reactive
Tell us if your skin flushes easily, reacts to fragrance, or has been sensitised by a recent treatment or product. We can keep the treatment gentle, leave out exfoliation, and patch test where that is sensible.
If you have a diagnosed skin condition, or you are using a prescribed treatment such as a retinoid or acne medication, please mention it when you book. Some steps need to be adjusted or left out, and in some cases we will suggest speaking to your GP or a dermatologist first. We do not diagnose or treat skin conditions.
Facials & Skincare
Where a time is shown it is the time booked in the diary, not an estimate.
| Treatment | Price |
|---|---|
| Deep facial cleansing with golden collagen mask45 minutes | £30 |
| Blackhead removal and facial cleansing45 minutes | £30 |
| Dermaplaning, including deep facial cleansing1 hour | £50 |
| Treatment | Price |
|---|---|
| Dermaplaning with chemical peel1 hour | £85 |
| Microneedling | £85 |
Why clients choose it
What facials offers
01
A deeper cleanse than at home
Professional cleansing and exfoliation reach further than a two-minute routine at the sink, particularly around the nose and jawline.
02
Adapted on the day
Products and steps are chosen for how your skin looks and feels at the appointment, not booked in advance from a menu.
03
Face, neck and shoulder massage
The massage element is a substantial part of the treatment, and the part most people say they leave feeling best from.
04
Straightforward advice
An honest view on your routine, including what you could reasonably stop doing.
Your appointment
What to expect
A short consultation about your skin, your current routine and anything you have noticed recently.
Your hair is secured away from your face and you settle back on the treatment couch.
A double cleanse, followed by exfoliation where it is appropriate for your skin that day.
A treatment mask, during which the massage through the shoulders, neck, face and scalp usually takes place.
Moisturiser and sun protection are applied, and we talk through anything worth adjusting at home.
How to prepare
- Come without make-up if it is convenient, though it is genuinely not a problem if you cannot.
- Avoid strong exfoliating acids or retinoids for two to three days beforehand.
- Do not book a facial immediately before an important event. Leave a few days in case skin needs to settle.
- Tell us about any prescribed skin treatments, recent injectables or recent sun exposure when you book.
Aftercare
- Leave the skin alone for the rest of the day where you can, and ideally skip make-up.
- Use sun protection the following day, as skin is often more light-sensitive after exfoliation.
- Hold off on strong actives such as retinoids and acid exfoliants for two to three days.
- Avoid saunas, steam rooms and hot yoga for 24 hours.
- Mild pinkness is normal and short-lived. If anything persists or worsens, contact us or seek medical advice.
Questions
Frequently asked
How often should I have a facial?
Every four to six weeks suits most people, which roughly follows the skin’s natural renewal cycle. That said, three or four well-spaced facials a year is far better than none, and there is no need to commit to a schedule you will not keep. Our guide on facial frequency goes into this in more detail.
Will my skin break out afterwards?
Some people notice small blemishes in the days after a first facial, particularly if the skin was congested. It usually settles quickly. Tell us if you are prone to this and we will keep the treatment gentler.
Can I have a facial before a wedding or event?
Yes, but not the day before. Around a week ahead is a sensible margin, and if it is your first facial with us, book an earlier one too so you know how your skin responds.
Should I have a facial if I have sensitive skin?
Often yes, provided the treatment is adapted. Tell us what your skin reacts to and we will leave out exfoliation, choose fragrance-free products where possible, and keep things gentle.
Do I need to book a course of treatments?
No. You are welcome to book a single facial and leave it there. If you would like a rhythm we can suggest one, but we will not press you into a package.
Further reading
Related advice
Longer answers to the questions people ask us most about this treatment.
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