Exactly what happens in the chair, how to prepare, and what your skin needs after, from the team bringing facials to our Murrieta salon.
Facials launch August 4th in Murrieta · pre-booking is open now
Most people put off their first facial for the same quiet reason: they do not know what actually happens in that room. Will it hurt? Do I take my makeup off? What if my skin freaks out after? The treatment itself is relaxing. The mystery around it is not.
So before facials arrive at our Murrieta salon this August, here is the whole thing explained plainly, start to glow, so you can walk in on day one knowing exactly what to expect.
A professional facial is a guided series of steps, about an hour in the chair, each chosen for your skin on that day. Here is the typical flow.
Your esthetician looks at your skin up close, asks about your routine, sensitivities, and goals, and chooses products to match. Pregnancy-safe and sensitive-skin options are part of the lineup.
A thorough double cleanse, with or without the makeup you arrived in, then professional exfoliation to clear the dull surface layer your at-home scrub cannot reach.
If your skin has congestion, your esthetician can clear it safely. This is the one step that can pinch for a moment, and it is always done with your comfort checked.
A treatment mask and targeted serums chosen for your skin, whether the goal is hydration, calming, brightening, or clearing.
Moisturizer, eye care, and SPF to finish, plus honest advice on what your skin would love from you at home between visits.
No. Most of a facial is genuinely relaxing, closer to a massage for your face than a procedure. The one exception is extractions, which can pinch briefly if your skin needs them, and they are always optional and done with your comfort checked as you go.
The best thing you can do is talk. Tell your esthetician if anything feels too warm, too strong, or just uncomfortable. Adjusting is part of the job, and no good esthetician wants you silently enduring anything.
Preparation is simple: arrive as you are, skip strong exfoliants and retinoids for two or three days beforehand, and come ready to share what your skin has been up to. You can wear makeup or not, since cleansing is the first step either way.
The sharing part matters more than people expect. Mention any medications, especially prescription acne treatments, along with pregnancy, allergies, and the products you use daily. None of it is judged. All of it helps your esthetician choose what your skin will love instead of what it will fight.
Beyond that, avoid heavy sun right before your visit, and give yourself a few unhurried minutes on arrival. That is the entire checklist.
Keep it gentle for a day or two. Your skin may look slightly pink for a short while, which is normal and fades quickly. If you can, let your skin breathe without makeup for the rest of the day, hold off on strong exfoliants and retinoids for 24 to 48 hours, and be diligent about SPF, since freshly treated skin is more sun-sensitive.
If your skin was congested, a small breakout in the following days can occasionally happen as things clear. It is temporary, and your esthetician will tell you at your visit whether to expect it. Otherwise, drink water, enjoy the glow, and follow whatever home advice you were given, because the routine between facials is where lasting results are made.
Every 4 to 6 weeks is the standard professional recommendation, because it roughly matches your skin’s natural renewal cycle. A monthly rhythm keeps results building on each other instead of starting over each time.
That said, any rhythm beats none. A seasonal facial still gives your esthetician a regular look at your skin and a chance to adjust your home routine as the weather, your stress, and your skin change. Start where your schedule and budget are honest, and build from there.
Skincare joins the chair at Smith Hair Salon Murrieta on August 4th.
Facials and professional skincare treatments, built on IMAGE Skincare, the clinical line we already carry. We chose IMAGE for the same reason we chose Eufora: professional, clinical, real results. Skincare services are Murrieta only, at 40404 California Oaks Rd Suite E, while IMAGE products stay available at both our Murrieta and Temecula salons.
A tip from the hair side of the house: facials pair beautifully with a color or cut appointment. Book them back to back and walk out entirely done, one stop, more of you taken care of.
A full professional facial usually takes about an hour. Express versions can run shorter, and your esthetician will confirm timing when you book so you can plan around work or a hair appointment.
No. Most of a facial is genuinely relaxing. Extractions, if your skin needs them, can pinch for a moment, and your esthetician will check your comfort and adjust as you go. Speak up any time; that is what the conversation is for.
Yes. We carry pregnancy-safe and sensitive-skin options in the IMAGE Skincare line, and every facial starts with a skin analysis so your esthetician can choose products that suit your skin. Always mention pregnancy, sensitivities, and any medications when you arrive.
You can arrive with or without makeup, since cleansing is the first step either way. Afterward, it is best to let your skin breathe for the rest of the day if you can, and to skip strong exfoliants or retinoids for a day or two.
Every 4 to 6 weeks is the standard professional recommendation, because it roughly matches your skin’s natural renewal cycle. Monthly is ideal for steady results, and even a seasonal facial helps your esthetician keep your skin and home routine on track.
Facials launch at our Murrieta salon at 40404 California Oaks Rd Suite E on August 4th, and pre-booking is open now. Skincare services are Murrieta only, while IMAGE Skincare products are available at both our Murrieta and Temecula locations.
Now you know exactly what happens in the chair. Pre-book your facial at our Murrieta salon and be part of launch week this August.
Smith Hair Salon Murrieta · 40404 California Oaks Rd, Suite E · (951) 477-0777