Facial Gone Wrong? Here’s How to Tone Down The Aftermath

There’s nothing worse than facials gone wrong. If you do experience a facial treatment horror story, special care after facial treatment becomes increasingly important.

After all, you’ve spent good money and taken time out of your day to do the right thing and take care of your skin. You should be rewarded for your decision, not regretting it!

So when you don’t get the glowing skin you’re looking for, it feels like a karmic slap in the face, both literally and metaphorically.

But the reality is that bad facial treatment stories happen. Whether the technician was inexperienced, your skin reacted poorly to the products post-treatment, or something else, the reality is that it’s bound to happen to you at one point or another. This is especially true if you have skin sensitivity issues such as acne or rosacea.

Read on for a full guide on what to do after a facial.

A facial is a skin care treatment that can be customized to meet your skin needs. The goal of a facial massage or procedure is to exfoliate the rough outer layer of your skin and remove impurities, debris, and dead skin for radiant, clear skin.

To get that post-facial glow you want, you or your esthetician may use a variety of facial treatments depending on your skin condition, from facial masks, peels, and facial massage treatments to facial extractions. When exfoliating just won’t cut it, professional facial treatments such as facial extractions can work wonders by extracting clogged pores, cystic acne, and other impurities.

Regular facials can help your skin look its best every day, regardless of skin type. Not only is a facial massage incredibly relaxing and great for your skin’s health, but facials also help increase blood circulation under the skin, decreasing fluid build-up and puffiness. Say hello to clear, radiant, beautiful skin!

Depending on your skin type, the best facials may include:

Dry Skin: A gentle exfoliation followed by an ultra-hydrating facial mask to restore moisture and create a barrier against environmental triggers that can worsen dryness.

Oily Skin: Deep cleansing with exfoliation and steaming to reduce sebum buildup, minimize pores, and help prevent acne.

Normal Skin: A mild exfoliation followed by steam treatment to remove dead skin cells and debris.

Sensitive Skin: Enzymatic peels or masques that add hydration without discomfort.

How often you should get a facial is ultimately up to you (and your skincare goals!), but for some, once every four to six weeks may be enough after the initial deep cleaning phase.

Yes, you can absolutely do facial treatments at home. Common facial masks and DIY scrubs that use gentle ingredients like oatmeal, honey, yogurt, or herbs are safe for most skin types and leave your skin feeling deeply moisturized. However, professional facial treatments like chemical peels, intense pulse light (IPL) treatments, and microdermabrasion are best left to licensed estheticians to avoid post-facial side effects.

But keep in mind it's important to remember that all facials (whether DIY or professionally done) should be accompanied by proper post-facial care instructions. You want to know what to do after a facial to protect your freshly exfoliated skin.

First-time facials can be intimidating, and it's normal for your skin to have some kind of reaction even after the first time. Whether that means drying out or becoming extra oily, mild breakouts, or redness and sensitivity—this is all part of the post-facial experience as your skin adjusts to its care. In most cases, though, these reactions should dissipate within a few days, if not sooner.

If you’re still wondering about normal post-facial effects (or not), keep scrolling. We’ll review normal skin reactions and when you should contact your dermatologist ASAP and provide some helpful guidelines on what to do after a facial.

Is it normal to break out after a facial? Yes, breakouts may happen after any facial. What’s important is to understand why and differentiate between what’s a normal breakout and what’s a problem.

Many more intense facials, like those that involve extractions or a chemical peel, tend to cause “skin purging.”

The idea here is that this is actually a good thing. The facial is meant to remove impurities that clog pores, bringing any toxins to the surface. That said, sometimes the esthetician won’t be able to get all of the excess oil out of your pores, and they shouldn’t.

Overly extracting the pores will cause unnecessary irritation. That’s why you’ll sometimes experience purging for a day or two as the pore self-cleans. This will lead to freshly cleaned pores and, ultimately, the ultra-great results of your dreams. This is normal and expected.

What’s not normal is if you have congestion or post-facial breakouts that last for two days or longer. That could be a sign that the products, chemical exfoliants, or other active ingredients used during the facial have caused clogged pores or skin barrier damage. This will happen if you have reactive skin or if the facial involves potentially irritating ingredients like exfoliators, brightening agents, or heavy oils.

Having post-facial breakouts means you have to make sure that you baby your skin until it recovers. Don’t use oily or comedogenic products - particularly if you’re acne-prone. Instead, use light, gentle serums and hydrating moisturizers that protect your skin’s natural barrier and provide adequate hydration while your skin clears.

Yes, you can use something stronger to spot and treat blemishes but try to keep it to a minimum, as your skin will already be sensitive and inflamed.

Any kind of skin exfoliation, particularly from stronger chemical exfoliants or peels, will cause a little bit of tightness and shine due to the acidic nature of the products. Even a good facial can sometimes mean that you’ll deal with some light flaking in the next few days, but keep in mind that this should be light and expected (it may even be more than light flaking if you’re doing a more intense facial or treatment involving specific active ingredients - but either way your technician should warn you that it’s coming). Your technician should also remind you about proper post-facial care.

Any signs of an allergic reaction - including itching, rash-like skin reactions, welts, swelling, or coughing - are never normal, and a clear sign that you need to contact your esthetician and seek medical attention.

How does this happen? Some people are allergic to common facial ingredients, including chamomile or other botanicals. Or, your facial treatment may have involved harsh skincare products. So remember that, if you have any adverse reactions, you should remain aware and make sure you do something about it.

Experiencing an allergic reaction to a facial can be worrisome and uncomfortable. To begin proper after-facial care in this situation, use a cold compress to soothe the affected area. Follow up with an antihistamine cream or take an oral medication like Benadryl to reduce itchiness and other symptoms of the allergic reaction.

Finally, it’s important to apply a moisturizer to help keep your skin hydrated while it recovers. By using a gentle moisturizer with ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, you can lock in moisture which will decrease discomfort and minimize the appearance of any post-facial side effects.

There are lots of facials that can cause pinkness or redness after a facial, both during and post-facial treatment. This is especially true for professional treatments geared toward stimulating the skin or clarifying it in some way, like facials with extractions. If you’re getting one of these, expect a little bit of pinkness and redness immediately after. This is completely normal and it should subside in the next few hours or days, depending on the intensity of the treatment and the sensitivity of your skin. Just make sure that you use a gentle, non-active suite of skincare products and baby your skin for the next week or so.

That said, you should not experience redness accompanied by any stinging or burning post-facial. Even if you’re getting professional treatments like a chemical peel, any burning that you experience during the facial should quickly subside once the peel is neutralized and removed.

Any extreme burning, redness or stinging is a sign that you’ve reacted negatively to something that was done: maybe harsh skincare products were used, the esthetician over-exfoliated, or the peel wasn’t properly neutralized. Either way, you should let your esthetician know right away. Know that this isn’t an expected or acceptable reaction.

To begin properly after facial care, the best way to reduce redness is to apply a cold compress directly onto your face. You can also take ibuprofen which helps reduce redness, inflammation, and any discomfort.

But, you can also use a gentle moisturizer, or natural remedies such as aloe vera or a cucumber mask to soothe the affected skin, reducing any swelling or redness. Whatever method you choose, remember not to touch your face too much!

It's normal to experience post-facial breakouts with acne scabs after getting a heavy facial extraction. This happens because of the skin purging that was meant to remove impurities that clog pores intensely. The extraction causes the skin to release the buildup of impurities, oils, and old skin cells out of the skin barrier, resulting in acne scabs.

Skin purging is a natural process that helps skin regenerate faster, which is why your skin’s health can improve and you get that post-facial glow after a facial. So while you might be overwhelmed with the acne scabs, it's important to be patient since your skin may take a while to heal.

Acne scabs are completely normal after getting a facial, and they should eventually disappear. Unfortunately, scab scarring can sometimes happen when the scabs turn into permanent scars. That's why it is important to be mindful if you already have acne scars, as an aggressive facial treatment can make scabbing worse, leading to more scarring.

A good facial is supposed to give you clearer skin, so keep your skin condition in mind when selecting your next facial. It’s always best to consult with a dermatologist or trained esthetician for the best facial treatment to ensure you get the outcome you desire.

To make sure scabs heal as quickly and painlessly as possible, the most important thing you should remember is not to pick the scab. More often than not, scabs heal naturally, given some patience and tender care.

You can also speed up the healing process by cleaning the area multiple times daily with lukewarm water and mild soap. As you perform your post-facial skincare routine, keep the area moisturized so that it doesn't dry out.

If you’re planning to wear makeup over scabs, proceed with caution. Remember that wearing makeup does not heal acne scabs, it’ll only hide it for the time being until it heals on its own.

If wearing makeup is absolutely necessary, use a small amount of thick concealer and apply it carefully to the scab area with a small makeup sponge. For best coverage, try applying multiple thin layers instead of just one thick layer, focusing on the edges of the scab. When finished, set your makeup with some powder for the best results.

A chemical burn on your face after a facial results in stinging, redness, burning or itching on the skin. Chemical burns typically result from using active ingredients such as AHAs or BHAs since these types of acids (lactic, salicylic, and glycolic) increase your skin’s sensitivity to sun exposure. They should be used with moderation, minimizing sun exposure after they are used.

Be cautious with the use of these products since severe chemical burns can cause permanent tissue damage, inflammation, and even scarring. If in doubt, see a doctor as soon as you can.

Treating a chemical burn after a facial can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks, depending on the strength of the chemical used. If it's minor, certain home treatments like applying an aloe vera gel or cold compress can help recover.

In more serious cases, though, you should seek immediate medical attention. If possible, try to determine the chemical for future reference so you can be more careful with products in case of another incident.

Getting a facial can be a great way to pamper yourself, but it's important to take a few precautions before adding facials to your skincare routine. Though facials come with some amazing benefits, such as nourishing the skin or reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, it's important to remember that if done incorrectly, they can cause nasty reactions. Some of these include redness, irritation, swelling, breakouts, and sun exposure sensitivity. Depending on the procedure, you can be left with the following reactions.

A hydrafacial treatment combines the benefits of gentle exfoliation and deep hydration to make your skin cells function effectively, giving you a glowing complexion. While it can be great for many people, it’s not so great for those with sensitive skin, rosacea, or heavy acne. A hydrafacial treatment can cause post-facial breakouts on sensitive skin.

Depending on your skin condition, hydrafacial treatments have been reported to cause the following side effects: skin thinning, uneven skin pigmentation, and age spots. Always consult with your dermatologist or beauty professional to determine the best treatment for your skin.

Having your skin professionally extracted is an essential must-do for your skin’s health, but not all technicians are equally qualified to do it. In general–whether you choose simple spa facials or major professional treatments–choosing someone unskilled or improperly trained in the procedure could potentially cause serious skin barrier damage that can't be reversed.

From mild irritation and lingering redness to possible scarring, the risk isn't worth taking if you're not sure about the proficiency of the person doing the job. Although it may cost more, choosing certified professionals with years of experience in facial extractions will ensure no long-term negative effects come out of your visit.

Microdermabrasion is a facial procedure that can result in younger-looking skin. It helps reduce wrinkles, acne, scars, and other issues by stimulating the production of new, healthy skin cells. But while it is an effective way to rejuvenate your complexion, it's important to know that, like all treatments, there is a certain amount of risk involved.

If not done correctly, microdermabrasion can lead to lasting damage to the skin, such as hyperpigmentation or thinning of the epidermis, which may require additional procedures to repair.

Dermaplaning is one of the more complex professional facial treatments where dead skin is physically removed from the skin using a scalpel. It’s known for its effectiveness in creating smoother, brighter-looking skin while encouraging cell rejuvenation and skin barrier repair.

But, it does come with risks – particularly when performed by an untrained technician or in non-hygienic settings. Using the scalpel incorrectly, such as with the blunt side of it, can damage the skin’s healthy tissue. This can cause bruising, irritation, or scratches if used too harshly. Dermaplaning has also been known to cause minor cuts, inflammation, and acne breakouts.

Not sure what to do after a facial? Need an alternative instead? No worries. Here at Eight Saints, we’ve got you covered with our all-natural ingredients and skin care products that’ll benefit your skin.

Before you start, wash your face with a gentle cleanser like our Down to Earth Gel Cleanser. Cleaning your skin before any treatment is necessary to prep; it allows you to assess it and determine what type of treatment you need.

Our Down to Earth Gel Cleanser is perfect for this job, quickly dissolving makeup, oil, and impurities without irritating or drying out your skin.

A facial’s main goal is to exfoliate by scrubbing away dead skin, impurities, and debris. This is an important step allowing new skin cells to surface for a youthful, radiant glow. After cleansing, use our Soulmate Brightening Treatment to start the exfoliation process.

Formulated with hyaluronic and glycolic acids, this two-in-one exfoliating treatment will help your skin shed dead skin cells faster while keeping it deeply moisturized.

After removing dead skin and impurities, follow up with a face mask to enrich your skin. Using our No Plans Clay Mask, apply an even layer to your face and allow it to soak up and replenish essential vitamins, minerals, natural oils, and antioxidants for healthy skin.

This clay mask also pulls any remaining impurities out, leaving you with soft and smooth skin. Perfect for use after exfoliating.

After taking some time to pamper and treat your skin with a DIY facial, the last important step is to follow up with a hydrating moisturizer and vitamin-rich serum like our Pep Rally Face Serum.

An extra dose of moisturizing helps to restore any hydration lost through the facial process while serum helps restore natural balance. Then continue with your usual skincare routine. Don’t forget these essential steps for optimal healthy-looking skin!

Post-facial care is an important step in getting the full benefits of any facial, whether it's a DIY spa day or a professional salon treatment. To avoid post-treatment side effects and make sure you preserve your skin’s health, you should skip the toner for a while, as well as avoid wearing makeup, getting massages on your face, using scrubs, and any extra treatments.

It's also important that you’re minimizing sun exposure and protecting your skin from UV damage by wearing sunscreen especially after a facial. Give your skin some time to settle down and rest. Taking good after facial care can ensure you get the most out of every session!

If you've never had a facial treatment before, it's normal to be apprehensive about the treatment. Will it hurt? Will my skin react badly? And perhaps most importantly, will my skin look worse afterward? While it's true that your skin may undergo some changes after a facial, as long as you know what to do after a facial, there's no need to worry.

When doing at-home facials, it's also important to be careful with product selection and use if you've had reactions in the past. When getting salon facials, always research the esthetician or facialist beforehand to ensure they're someone you trust.