It’s usually around late spring or early summer when the weather finally gets warmer and we start to notice just how strong the sun can get in some places.
Naturally, better weather always means more days under the sun, whether it’s at the park or beach, in the garden, or even seated in a comfy chair around our backyard patio. However, when it’s warm and bright outside, it’s always important to remember to apply a good sunscreen beforehand – even more so if we’re getting any facial treatments done that day.
In the following post we’ll dive into best practices for after-facial routines, focusing on how sunscreen can preserve the effects of your facial longer and keep your sensitive skin safe. We’ll even share some tips for choosing the right sunscreen!
Why do we need to wear sunscreen after a facial?
You’ve probably heard people saying that it was important to wear sunscreen after having a facial, but why is this the case? It’s certainly a question we get asked fairly often at our beauty school – and we’re always glad to answer!
Basically, when we go for any sort of facial skincare treatment, they typically involve a heavy amount of exfoliation. While exfoliation cleans up our skin, removing dead cells or any built-up dirt, it also has the effect of removing any protection those same things might have offered to our fresh skin underneath.
You’ve probably noticed that after a treatment your skin sometimes feels sensitive. This is normal, but the general sensitivity also makes it more vulnerable to the sun’s rays and the element in general. This effectively increases your chances of getting a burn when outside and, with any sunburn, that also increases the likelihood of new lines, wrinkles or skin damage forming in the long term.
One of the common myths is that we don’t need sunscreen if we spend most of our day inside or only go for short walks through parking lots and things like that. However, when the sun is up, it only takes minutes for its effects to be felt – and even less right after a treatment!
Do I need to keep wearing sunscreen all summer or just after the facial?
Even if you had your facial done a few days or a week earlier, the dangers of too much exposure to the sun don’t necessarily disappear. Because of this it’s recommended by dermatologists and well-trained estheticians that we wear sunscreen daily – and even if it’s chilly outside!
A good routine that’s usually easy to follow would be to apply sunscreen first thing in the morning, every morning. Doing so ensures it has more time to set and less chance of you forgetting or not having the time because you might be running late.
What types of sunscreen are best to use after our facials?
When it comes to choosing the best sunscreen, it often comes down to the amount of protection it provides, rather than the individual brand.
The indicator is how much SPF offers – which stands for “Sun Protection Factor.” We can tell how effective they are judging by the SPF value on the label,
For general use and protection, the magic number that we want to keep in our mind is 30 – that is, any sunscreen that is at least SPF 30. The majority of sunscreens out there are at least SPF 30 so it shouldn’t be a problem finding ones that have at least this level of protection.
The other keyword you’ll want to keep your eyes open for is “broad spectrum.” That means it protects from both UVA and UVB rays – the two different ways that the sun can damage our skin. Pairing that with an SPF 30 is even better than simply going for one or the other (and fortunately, many brands offer both in a single tube).
Of course, any sunscreen is better than no sunscreen when your skin is at its most vulnerable. If all you have is a regular old SPF 15 or the like, be generous with how much you apply before you step out and you shouldn’t have to worry as you go about your day-to-day activities.
Do I need to reapply sunscreen if I’ve only been outside for a short while?
The short answer is yes, we should reapply sunscreen multiple times throughout the day to get the most of its benefits. For instance, once in the morning is better than none, but regular top-ups will help ensure our skin stays smooth and safe.
Most sunscreens should be applied every few hours, with some dermatologists recommending we do it as often as every 2 hours of regular use. However, if we’re going swimming or sweating heavily from a jog or garden work, it might cause our sunscreen to lose its potency even sooner.
In this case, it never hurts to buy the bigger tubes, because they have a way of getting used up quickly when applied correctly!
Any other tips for taking care of our skin right after a facial?
There are all kinds of do’s and don’ts to keep in mind after getting your facial. If you’re not certain about a few things, be sure to ask your esthetician for advice!
In any case, here are two other important tips to keep in mind:
- Stay Hydrated: One important tip is to keep your skin (and yourself) well hydrated. Drinking plenty of water helps flush out toxins from your system and keep your skin feeling fresh and glowing for longer
- Exfoliate Regularly: While we don’t recommend getting another full facial the following week, you can and should still perform basic exfoliation as part of your regular skincare routine once a week. Wait a few days after the treatment, go gently, and lightly work your skin. This can help the benefits of the treatment last longer.
Are you looking to become an expert in skin care and esthetics? Mastering facial treatments and how to care for the skin is one facet of studying to become an esthetician at Modern College. Students who go through the program from start to finish gain the theoretical knowledge, hands-on spa experience, and confidence they’ve always wanted to work in the beauty industry.
To learn more about our programs, fill in the form on the right side of this page or send us an email at [email protected].
P.S. Our students also offer esthetic treatments at a discounted rate compared to what you would normally see at a salon or parlour. If interested, please review our complete list of student beauty spa services.