What to get a facial before an event? Read this first!

What do you think of when you think of a getting a facial?

Luxury.

Relaxation.

Beauty.

Rejuvenation.

Treating ones self.

Glowing skin.

Felling your best.

All these positive adjacent characteristics is probably why we often think of facials and specialized skincare when preparing for a big event.

We want to look and feel our best for our event. People aside, there are likely going to be tons of photos taken of us at this event, so we’d like the best version of our skin memorialized. Glowing, hydrated, youthful looking skin, all traits a facial can help achieve, is quite the seller!

Not to mention that planning for a big event can be stressful! So the thought of enjoying a relaxing and rejuvenating facial (or five) sounds like pure heaven. It might even be the very argument you need to try a facial for the first time.

But how do you actually incorporate a facial, or a collection of facial treatments, into your event planning?

We’ve had brides, class reunion attendees, and other clients with big events on the horizon, call us up and want a complete skincare transformation 2 weeks before said event.

And while we empathize with wanting to look our best, and dedicated skincare can make impressive transformations happen, they don’t happen overnight. Moreover, the more intense skincare treatments that can help make those leaps in the skin rejuvenation direction, are the exact treatments you don’t want to be having so close to an important event.

So that’s exactly what we’re tackling today. Not only when to actually schedule your facial before an event, but also the side effects of facials from the various treatments they include, and how that impacts your skincare timeline.

Let’s jump right in!

When should you schedule a facial before an event?

What “big events” are we talking about?

Since we’re discussing how to optimize our skin looking its best, when we say “big events”, we’re largely talking about events where you will see many people, and/or be seen by many people. Events where you are concerned about presenting the best version of yourself. These would include, but of course are not limited to:

• Weddings

• Engagement parties

• Graduations

• TV appearances

• High School or college reunions

• Photoshoots

• Being a presented speaker

For all these types of events, we really want to be putting our best foot forward, and having a skin care plan is a great piece of accomplishing just that.

Not all facials are created equal (and shouldn’t be)

Facials can be as unique as the skin that’s being treated. In fact, they’re at their best when they are personalized for the individual. This is why personalization is one of our core focuses in our Cedar Rapids based salon for any service we provide our clients. Your skin is unique, so your skin care should be, too!

In turn, this means that facials can cause different results and side effects based on the different treatments and products used in that particular facial. All this variation stems from the varying initial goals for a facial for a specific client and their unique skin.

A facialist faced with a client with dry, mature skin with the goal of hydration, will choose a specific set of treatments and products. When that facialist is then faced with a client with young, acne-prone skin with the goal of treating existing acne, the provider will choose a completely different collection of treatments and products.

Benefits from a facial before an event

While a single facial isn’t going to completely transform your skin (we’ll talk more about achieving dramatic results for an event further on), there are some real benefits you can take away from just one or two treatments.

A very popular facial treatment for existing clients at our salon is the Micropeel, especially for weddings. It gives a “glow of youth”, makes the skin look more alive, and helps makeup go on smooth and easy. This is often a recommendation from our skincare specialist, Teresa, when she is already familiar with a client’s skin and knows it can tolerate the treatment.

Other facial treatments can help to heal existing acne, promote collagen production, and provide nourishing hydration. Plus, getting away from the chaos of event planning can help reduce stress levels, which has its own impact on our skin.

If there are specific benefits you’re looking to achieve, talk with your skincare specialist for help choosing the best personalized facial treatment for you.

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Temporary side effects of facials to consider

Since we have a variety of different facial treatments, each one will have its own collection of side effects with varying levels of severity. With the more severe corresponding to more time needed between it and your event.

If you’re getting a facial with a more intense treatment, i.e. microdermabrasion, the use of an exfoliating product, or a chemical peel, this is where you’ll see those more intense side effects. You may experience some side effects ranging from general irritation and localized pink or redness, all the way to a higher redness presence and peeling.

How long it takes for these side effects to subside also depends on how intense your treatment was, and your individual skin’s reaction. And while we only offer lighter chemical peels in our salon, you still may need a week or two, or more, for your skin return to event-worthy display.

On the other side of the spectrum, there are facial treatments and products that are designed to be very gentle and nourishing on the skin. These kinds of facial options are much safer to have closer to your event date.

However, even if you’re considering a gentler facial, and don’t intend on trying out an exfoliating treatment, Teresa, our skincare specialist at Professional Image Enhancement in Cedar Rapids, recommends to never have your very first facial earlier than a month before an important event.

“A client can have reactions, and you just never know. You have to be sure. That means start your treatments way before your event.

If they’ve never had a facial before, try it a month before a big event. Then they know how their skin reacts and can have a treatment closer to their big event.”

Finally, your facialist will tell you what you should and shouldn’t expect after a specific treatment. Some amount of redness and peeling can be expected for certain treatments, but if you’re ever concerned that something is not right, always give your facialist a call.

Looking for bigger results? Start before the facial

If you’re looking for something more than just an hour of relaxation, but really making your skin look it’s absolute best, you’ll want to start far before your event date.

In order to achieve dramatic skincare results, (think healing and preventing acne or reversing aging) you will need multiple treatments spanned over many weeks. But your dedication will be rewarded!

Depending on the current state of your skin and what skincare goals you want to ultimately achieve, there can be 1-2 weeks in between treatments, which quickly ads up. For this reason, we’d recommend booking your initial skincare consultation at least 6 months before your event. This will give you enough time for a facialist to make a solid skincare treatment plan for you that can address all your concerns. And it will give your facialist plenty of time to really get to know your skin.

If you’re a veteran of facials and have a great ongoing relationship with a specific facialist or skincare specialist, booking an appointment with them well in advance of your event is still a good idea. Since they know your skin well, they can help guide you to an event-prep treatment plan that will fit all your skincare goals and get your skin event-ready.

A facialist that knows your skin well will be able to provide the utmost personalized treatments, maximizing your results. The more time you dedicate, the better results you will have.

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Schedule A skincare consultation

Getting to know your skin with a consultation is the perfect first step when you want to look your best for whatever event or celebration is on your horizon.

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Your schedule depends on your goals

The exact timeline for when to book your facial before your event ultimately depends on what kind of treatment you’ll be including in your facial and what your goals are.

Check which situation best applies to you, and see our recommendations for when to book your facial before your important event.

Looking for dramatic skincare results for your event?

Begin: 6 months - 1 year before your event

Whether you’ve ever had a facial before or not, visit a skincare specialist to discuss your long-term skincare goals leading up to your event. Together, make a skincare plan and start scheduling your treatments.

Never had a facial before and interested in trying one out specifically for your event?

Begin: At least 1 month before your event

If this is your first foray into facial treatments, schedule a skincare consultation and first facial as a trial no sooner than 1 month before your event. This will give you and your facialist time to see how you skin reacts and plan your event facial.

A facial treatment veteran looking for a polish?

Schedule: 1-2 weeks before your event

If you already have a good relationship with a facialist who knows your skin well, and depending on your skin, you could be a great candidate for a Micropeel. This treatment gives amazing benefits for an event like smooth makeup-application and a glow of youth!

Always feel free to connect with your esthetician even sooner than we’ve listed here. Remember, the more time you have, the better results you can achieve, and the better your facialist can get to know your skin and recommend the best treatment for you.

Additionally, not all treatments are appropriate for all treatment goals or skin types. So always discuss your goals and desires with your facialist or skincare specialist.

After your event

Phew! You made it through your big event! Be it a wedding, class reunion, or public speaking event, you’re likely coming down from a bit of stress, or at least adrenaline! This is a great time for a follow-up facial treatment.

Now that the event is over, one option is to focus on those more intense treatments, like a chemical peel, now that you don’t need to worry as much about their side effects.

We’d encourage you to consider other treatments as well.

As stated earlier, you’re likely coming down from some stress and adrenaline, and that can definitely impact our skin. Time in a calm and relaxing facial treatment can help treat your stress itself. Soft music, low lighting, gentle massage… Can you feel your stress melting away already?

As for the effect of stress on the skin its self, many people experience stress-related acne which can be partly caused by stress-triggered excess oil production. So post-event, you may experience some lingering acne. A facial focusing on treating oily skin and acne is a great option if this is the reality for you.

If your event was outside, maybe in the hot, humid, and sticky Iowa summer weather, where your skin was exposed to pollution, sweat, and sun, your skin could wildly benefit from a deep cleansing facial.

And of course, as we’re constantly saying all over this blog, take some time to speak with your skincare professional of choice. They’ll take a closer look at your skin and how you specifically are reacting to coming down from your big event, and can recommend the best treatment for you.

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Meet your Cedar Rapids Skincare & Electrolysis Specialist:

Teresa Dove

Teresa is the proud owner and operator of Professional Image Enhancement. She is a Licensed Cosmetologist (L.C.) and Licensed Electrologist (L.E.) based in Cedar Rapids and has been providing professional skin care and permanent hair removal to her clients from all over Eastern Iowa for over 25 years. She regularly attends the International Esthetics, Cosmetics & Spa Conference for continuing education and to stay on top of the industry.

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How to prepare for a facial

A facial feels like such a luxury. I remember being so excited to get my first facial treatment as a teenager, finally old enough to start playing in this world of skincare. Lucky for me, Teresa — skincare specialist, esthetician, and owner & operator of Professional Image Enhancement, is my mother. So I’ve been enjoying the spoils of regular facials throughout my adolescence and adulthood (when I happen to be home for a visit). They almost feel like second nature to me now.

Many of our clients have also been regular patrons of the salon, but not everyone has been previously introduced to this area of skincare, and trying to break into the world of facial treatments can be daunting.

So today we’re talking about facial prep! While chatting with Teresa about this topic, I gleaned these 5 steps to take to prepare for your first, or next, facial.

How to prepare for a facial

Step 1: Define your skincare goals

Before diving into all the fun of skincare products, ingredients, and finding yourself an esthetician, we need to cover our basics.

“The most important knowledge are the goals a client has.”

So ask yourself what is inspiring you to seek out a facial in the first place, and even skincare in general. Here are some goals you can consider:

• Repairing past damage to skin

• Preventing further damage from the sun and pollution

• Managing dry skin and increasing hydration

• Healing existing acne

• Managing and preventing future acne

• Reducing the appearance of acne scarring

• Treating fine lines and aging skin

• Preparing for aging skin

• Evening skin tone

It’s when we have a clear picture of your skincare goals, that you and your esthetician can be on the same page and work together in the same direction.

Step 2: Become familiar with your current skincare products

In order for a facialist to create an effective facial treatment for you, they need to get to know your skin. One big way they do this is via a window into your at-home skincare routine. Of course this means you need to get familiar with what you’re actually using in your routine.

“The client has to be knowledgeable about what they’re using, to be open to share their routine, and what they might react to or that their skin doesn’t like. That will give me an idea of what kind of skin they have.”

First, it’s good to also make note of the types of products you’re using (cleansers, toners, serums, creams, etc), and what the product is aimed to do: an acne-fighting cleanser, an anti-aging moisturizer, an under-eye serum for dark circles. This further informs the aesthetician on your skincare goals, and they may have a good idea of what type of ingredients are likely to be a in particular type of product aimed at a particular focus.

Take some time to dig through your medicine cabinet, and take mental notes (or actual ones) of the key ingredients in the products you’re using and how often. Some ingredients to keep an eye out for are salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, and retinol.

Finally, keep in mind the products and ingredients that tend to give you bad reactions. Do acne products always leave your skin red and irritated? Do you tend to stay away from salicylic acid? Is there anything you know you’re allergic to?

All of this information is going to be very helpful for your aesthetician.

Step 3: Find a facialist

Now comes the exciting, yet daunting task of choosing a facialist. Searching “facial” for Cedar Rapids, Iowa alone, returns well over 50 businesses!

After narrowing it down by personal recommendations or those that are most conveniently located for you, there are some qualities you want to look for.

Besides being sure they have adequate education for their field, you’ll really benefit from finding a provider who focuses on personalization. If the aesthetician talks about taking the time to get to know your skin and catering their services to you and your skincare goals, then you’re in really good hands.

“They have to search for someone who is going to customize the facial for them. No book or training will train them to do that. I’m going to try and meet the needs of your skin according to what I see and what you describe to me. If you have a little acne, I will do a little to treat it.”

A combination of foundational education and a lot of experience is what culminates to provide a truly personalized facial experience.

“The bottom line is finding someone who will customize their treatment and knows the biology and anatomy of the skin to do it correctly. That is what I recommend to everybody.”

That’s exactly what Teresa has done for 30 years!

Step 4: Don’t schedule your first facial right before an event

When it comes time to schedule your appointment, avoid anything very soon before a big event: wedding, prom, photoshoot, etc. Particularly if you’ve never had a facial before. Right before an important event is the last time you want to try anything new with your face.

If you have facials regularly and enjoy a history with a facialist or aesthetician that knows your skin well, they can be more specific about the type of treatments that would be a safe choice closer to one of those big events

“Never have your first facial right before an event because you never know. If I know their skin, if they’re an existing client, we will see what kind of facial they can have before the event. This is not the time to try anything.”

Step 5: Come as you are

If in advance, you’ve spoken with your chosen aesthetician in more detail about a particular treatment, follow any instructions for products or ingredients to avoid. Otherwise you can follow your routine as normal, just be sure to include that routine in what you share during your consultation so it can be taken into consideration for your treatment.

You don’t need to worry about leaving off your makeup that day, as your facialist will take care of any makeup removal before your treatment. You’ll also be changing into a facial-appropriate robe or wrap, so your outfit is also something you don’t need to be too concerned about.

Finally, some clients are a bit nervous about sharing their skincare routine, or lack of a routine, with a professional. But rest assured your aesthetician is simply concerned with being well informed in order to provide you the best service. No judgment found here!

We hope these steps are leaving you feeling confident for your first, or next, facial treatment! Teresa at our skincare salon in Cedar Rapids would be happy to see you whether you’re a facial novice or veteran. If you’d like to get on our schedule, give us a call at (319) 373-9596 or request an appointment online.

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Facial prep FAQ

We’re sure you’ve still got some questions! Here are some common ones we get about prepping for facials. If you still have facial questions of your own, schedule a skin care consultation at our salon in Cedar Rapids by calling (319) 373-9596 or by requesting an appointment online.

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Do I need to remove my makeup before a facial?

If you have a previous engagement before your facial and would like to wear makeup, that’s perfectly fine. You don’t need to go to the trouble of avoiding it or removing it before your appointment. Your aesthetician will take care of that for you as prep for your treatment. What you can wear on your face after your facial of course depends on the type of treatment you receive. Be sure to ask your facialist about this after your appointment.

What should I avoid before a facial?

If you are planning on a treatment that is on the aggressive side, ie. a microdermabrasion or chemical peel, you want to be gentle on your skin for the week leading up to your appointment. This would involve avoiding your harsher ingredients like retinol or benzoyl peroxide. Also be sure to wear your sunscreen and protect your face from those UVBs.

If you’re having your very first facial, the aesthetician will likely want to start gentle regardless in order to start learning about your skin and to see how it reacts.

Regardless of what you’re using at home, a knowledgable aesthetician can put together a facial treatment that will be a compliment. The bottom line is to be very clear about what you’re already using so your facialist can plan accordingly, and always talk with your specific treatment provider about any details.

How should I wear my hair for a facial?

At your facial, your aesthetician will use a cloth or paper headband to wrap all the way around your hairline. You’ll also be laying on your back. So, well-involved updo’s will likely be inconvenient, and if you’ve spent time slaving over a curling iron, you may be disappointed after laying on your hairstyle for 45+ minutes. Casual is better here. Hair down or in a low ponytail will be just fine.

What should I wear to a facial?

After your initial consultation and it comes time for your actual treatment, you will be provided a towel, robe, or wrap to change into. So the clothes you wear to your appointment aren’t particularly important. But perhaps opt for something that’s easier to get in and out of. This may be the time to pass over the full lace-up boots or that dress with a zipper in the back that you can’t quite reach.

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Meet your Cedar Rapids Skincare & Electrolysis Specialist:

Teresa Dove

Teresa is the proud owner and operator of Professional Image Enhancement. She is a Licensed Cosmetologist (L.C.) and Licensed Electrologist (L.E.) based in Cedar Rapids and has been providing professional skin care and permanent hair removal to her clients from all over Eastern Iowa for over 25 years. She regularly attends the International Esthetics, Cosmetics & Spa Conference for continuing education and to stay on top of the industry.

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6 easy steps you need to take before your electrolysis appointment

You've done research on permanent hair removal, and perhaps you've even tried other treatments, like laser hair removal. Now you've made the decision to embark on electrolysis as your permanent hair removal solution. Now the question becomes, "How do I prepare for my electrolysis appointment?" Each salon may have different preparation suggestions, so these are the steps we tell our clients to take before their appointment.

How to Prepare for your Electrolysis Treatment

1. Come for a consultation:

   The very first step in the electrolysis journey is an electrolysis consultation. It's at this consultation where we'll discuss the process of the electrolysis treatment in depth, and how exactly it works to permanently remove hair. We'll discuss any concerns you may have and answer any lingering questions. Our electrolysis consultations in our Cedar Rapids salon are absolutely free and last 15-30 minutes. If you'd like to schedule yours, request an appointment online, or call our salon at (319) 373-9596.
   

2. Drink up:

   Well-hydrated skin can help the treatment be more comfortable. It's also better at conducting the electrical currents used in treatment. So drink plenty of water the week leading up to, and especially the day before your appointment. Try to avoid things that will dehydrate your skin, such as caffeine and alcohol.
   

3. Stop the pluck: 

   Refrain from short-term hair removal methods leading up to your appointment. Avoid plucking or waxing for 2-3 weeks before, and avoid shaving for 3-5 days before your electrolysis appointment. In order for the needle to follow the hair follicle and more easily remove the hair, there needs to be at least 1/8th of an inch of hair above the surface of the skin. 
   

4. Come as you are:

   Don't worry about coming with naked skin (no makeup, deodorants, lotions, or creams); Teresa will do all necessary skin prep for the treatment. The only products you should avoid before your appointment would be anything with strong ingredients that might cause irritation during the treatment, such as a prescription retinol. Tell us what products you're using, and we'll let you know if irritation might be a concern.
   

5. Prep for the pain:

   Yes, electrolysis can be a little uncomfortable. Everyone has their own reaction to pain and has different levels of pain tolerance. The sensation from electrolysis is often compared to that of plucking the hair or a small pinching feeling. If you know you have a lower tolerance for pain and are worried about feeling pain during your treatment, we recommend taking an anti-inflammatory pain reliever about 30 minutes to an hour before your appointment. Before the treatment we also treat the area with a mild numbing agent to help manage any other pain. We'll do everything we can to make the process as comfortable as possible, so please let us know what you're feeling throughout the treatment.
   

6. Have open communication: 

   Finally, if you need to cancel or reschedule, remember to call or email us at least 24 hours ahead of time so someone else may have the opportunity to take your slot 😉

Now you're prepped, ready, and (hopefully) excited for your electrolysis appointment! Of course if you have any additional questions or concerns, please give us a call - (319) 373-9596. We hope to see you soon!

Ready for your next electrolysis session? Request your appointment at our Cedar Rapids salon on our website, or by calling us at (319) 373-9596.

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MEET YOUR CEDAR RAPIDS SKINCARE & ELECTROLYSIS SPECIALIST:

Teresa Dove

Teresa is the proud owner and operator of Professional Image Enhancement. She is a Licensed Cosmetologist (L.C.) and Licensed Electrologist (L.E.) based in Cedar Rapids and has been providing professional skin care and permanent hair removal to her clients from all over Eastern Iowa for over 25 years. She regularly attends the International Esthetics, Cosmetics & Spa Conference for continuing education and to stay on top of the industry.

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7 Prom Prep Skincare Tips

It's prom time! Like any big event, you want to look your best. Between the dresses, tuxes, flowers, dinner, and everything else, you might easily forget about your most important accessory -  your skin! So to make sure this accessory doesn't end up lack-luster, we put together 7 indispensable prom prep skin care tips from our Week of Prom Prep.

#1: Get to know your skin!

A good place to start is getting a personalized facial complete with a skin care consultation. A skin care professional will discuss with you your skin type and what treatments will be most beneficial to you. Plus, a facial is a great way to clean up your skin and give you a fresh, glowing, complexion. You'll want to make sure your facial is for at least 2 weeks before the big night, as to avoid any unexpected reactions your skin might have to something new. If you're looking for something more DIY, we recently came across this handy step by step guide to finding out your skin type at home. You can find it here. After you know your skin type, you can more easily find products that are tailored to your skin type to give your skin what it needs to be at its best.

#2: Problem skin? Avoid heavy makeup

If you have problem skin, you'll want to go lighter on the make-up to avoid clogging your pores. When picking a foundation, look for one that's non-comedogenic. From our shelves, we suggest Mark Lees Hydramatte Foundation. These foundations won't clog your pores or cause more problems than they cover up.

 

#3: SCHEDULE YOUR EXTRACTIONS THE WEEK BEFORE

If black heads are your arch nemesis and you're planning a facial to deal with them, this is something you don't want to procrastinate. Extractions can cause inflammation and the extractions points themselves can take a week to heal. To allow everything to heal and avoid redness and inflammation on your prom day, get your facial with extractions done the week before.

#4: Don't wait to wax your eyebrows

Waxing in general irritates the skin, so when you mix that with the more sensitive skin near your eyebrows, you'll want some time for it to calm back down. This is particularly true if you happen to use a daily face wash with an exfoliant as that can cause peeling on the newly waxed surface. To stay on the safe side, get your eyebrows done a week ahead of time.

#5: Exfoliate before your spray tan

Spray tans are a great alternative to UV tanning, which, we all know by now, is not worth it. However, sometimes a spray tan can come out blotchy and uneven in places. This can be caused by the buildup of dead skin cells. So to avoid spots and general unevenness,  exfoliate your whole body before you fake bake.

#6: Caution with the conditioner

This isn't perfectly skincare or facial related, but we thought it worth to include regardless! Up-do's are quite popular for formal events, and we often spend a pretty penny to get them done and we want them to last all night. To help keep your style in place, avoid using too much conditioner when washing your hair, and focus on the ends of your hair. Hair that's too conditioned can be oily or greasy and find it difficult to hold a style, particularly an up-do.

#7: Wash your face at the end of the night!

It has been a very long day of getting ready, taking pictures in and outside, grand march, getting in and out of cars, having dinner, more pictures, and finally dancing (and sweating) the night away. You may also have applied a little more product and makeup than you might normally do. All this can add up to clogged pores and ultimately -the dreaded- acne! Your skin will be just as exhausted as you are and needs to rest. So even if you fall asleep in your dress or tux, make sure you at least wash your face! We of course can help you pick the right face wash for your skin type, so just let us know!