When it comes to facials, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. The optimal frequency depends on various factors, including your skin type, age, lifestyle and environment. But how often should you really be booking a luxe facial treatment? The answer may depend on your skin type, concerns and personal preferences. Here, we’ll explore the recommended frequency for facials and provide some tips to help you determine the optimal schedule for your unique skin.
Featured Experts
- Samantha Proano is an aesthetician and BABOR expert educator
- Shiri Sarfarti is a licensed aesthetician and Repêchage Skin Care partner
- Tammy Fender is a holistic skin-care expert and founder of her eponymous skin-care brand, based in Palm Beach, FL
- Rachael Gallo is a licensed aesthetician and COO of Silver Mirror Facial Bar in Coral Gables, FL
Monthly Maintenance
For many, monthly facials are the sweet spot for maintaining skin health. Shiri Sarfati, a licensed aesthetician and Repêchage Skin Care partner, recommends this routine, noting, “I always suggest monthly facials for maintenance purposes. If you’re addressing specific skin concerns, then weekly facials might be beneficial.” By seeing a professional regularly, you can keep your skin on track and adapt to changing conditions, whether they be seasonal, hormonal or lifestyle-related.
Addressing Specific Concerns
If you’re dealing with issues like acne, hyperpigmentation or premature aging, a more frequent approach may be necessary. “We want to help clients get the best results quickly,” explains Sarfati. “For targeted treatments, weekly facials are ideal. We also set them up with a consistent skin-care routine to maximize the benefits of in-spa treatments.”
Aesthetician and BABOR educator Samantha Proano echoes this, emphasizing the importance of a detailed skin analysis and consultation to determine the best frequency. “Each individual’s skin type and concern determine how often they should get a facial,” she says. “Some people need more frequent facials to reset and treat their skin, especially those in harsh environments like extreme heat or cold.”
The Holistic Approach
Holistic practitioner and aesthetician Tammy Fender emphasizes the role of lifestyle factors in achieving glowing skin. “A good way to evaluate your skin’s needs is by considering that skin renews itself every four to six weeks,” she explains. “Monthly treatments work for many, but if you’re addressing a specific concern, shorter protocols with weekly facials can be beneficial.”
Fender also notes that maintaining healthy skin involves more than just facials. “Using botanical formulas that extend and enhance professional treatments makes a difference, as does a healthy, nutrient-dense diet, great sleep and low stress,” she says. “The post-facial glow is only amplified by great self-care.”
A Daily Routine
Keeping your skin in top shape requires more than just regular facials. “The best thing you can do for optimal skin health is to work with your aesthetician on a daily skin-care routine,” says Sarfati. She highlights the importance of layering products that are designed to work together and advises against “cherry-picking” from different lines, which can counteract each other.
Proano recommends that clients follow an at-home skin-care regimen designed by their aesthetician. “An aesthetician can recommend the most appropriate products after performing a facial and analyzing your skin,” she says. “This helps maintain the benefits of the treatment.”
Regular Facials Help With Contour
Regular facials offer more than just immediate results—they can have lasting benefits for your skin. Sarfati points out that facials not only provide deep pore cleansing but also include facial massage, which enhances skin elasticity and increases circulation. “There are 43 muscles in the face,” she notes. “Facial massage can make a huge difference in appearance.”
Fender agrees, emphasizing that regular facials can impact the overall resiliency of the skin. “Consistent holistic habits lead to firmer, more radiant skin over time,” she says.
Avoiding Over-Exfoliation
While facials are beneficial, it’s possible to overdo them, leading to over-exfoliation or irritation. Both Proano and Sarfati stress the importance of consulting a licensed professional to avoid this. “Your skin naturally sheds every 28 days,” Sarfati explains. “A good aesthetician should guide the exfoliation process without overdoing it. At home, exfoliate two to three times per week depending on your skin type.”
Proano advises clients to follow their aesthetician’s recommendations for facial frequency and at-home care. This helps prevent irritation and supports long-term skin health.
Finding Your Facial Frequency
At Silver Mirror Facial Bar in Coral Gables, FL, licensed aesthetician and COO Rachael Gallo says make note of the time of year when planning your facial calendar. “We recommend adjusting your frequency per season based on climate changes. In the winter, it is beneficial to increase facials to every two weeks with a focus on hydrating exfoliation treatments in between regular facials, such as adding in microchanneling, Hydrafacial, or dermaplaning, all of which work to slough off dead skin, open facial channels, and allow better absorption and moisturization. In the summer, sticking to a 28-day regimen will keep your oil levels balanced and help prevent sun damage.”
Ultimately, the ideal frequency for facials depends on your unique skin needs and lifestyle. Whether you choose monthly treatments for maintenance or weekly sessions to target specific concerns, working with a skilled aesthetician can help you achieve the radiant skin you desire. Remember, consistency is key.
