From a conversation with Jiman Hana, owner of J Beauty Spa ·
“I won’t touch her skin at the beginning”
Picture it: someone comes back from a week in the sun and her skin is a mess. Jiman’s first move is to do nothing.
“I won’t touch her skin at the beginning, because usually if she has a lot of tan, the skin is very sensitive to touch. So I will give her a week or two after vacation to use a product to moisturize her skin, to bring her skin back to the regular level and get rid of some tan, and then we’ll start the next session.”
Exfoliating or extracting skin that’s already had a lot of sun can irritate it further. Waiting protects it.
Should you get a facial before or after a beach vacation?
It’s one of the most-asked questions about holiday skin, and the answer is “after”, with a wait.
- Before you go: freshly exfoliated skin is more sensitive to the sun. If you want a facial before a trip, book it several days ahead rather than the day before, keep it gentle, and pack SPF. Ask Jiman which facial suits the timing.
- After you’re back: give your skin the week or two Jiman describes, then book. This is when a facial does the most good, because it’s working on skin that has calmed down.
Which treatments wait after a sunny trip?
Jiman decides on the day, but these are the treatments that work on the surface of the skin or below it, and they are the ones to hold back on while a tan is fresh:
- Exfoliating facials, such as dermaplaning and microdermabrasion (how the two differ)
- Peels, such as a Green Peel
- Microneedling
- Laser hair removal
Some gentle steps, such as a cleanse and hydration, are usually much easier on skin like this. Tell Jiman about your trip when you book, and she’ll tell you what fits.
Laser hair removal and a tan
This one matters if you have a laser hair removal package running. The laser finds the pigment in the hair. A tan adds pigment to the skin around it, so laser on tanned skin raises the risk of burns or colour changes. Jiman’s rule:
“I recommend waiting at least 2–4 weeks after sun exposure, and longer if needed, until the tan has completely faded and the skin has returned to its natural colour.”
Two to four weeks is the least, not the target. A deeper tan takes longer to fade, and the skin decides.
The same goes for self-tan: tell Jiman if you’re wearing it, and ask whether it should come off before your appointment.
If you’re travelling in the middle of a package, tell Jiman your dates. She can plan your sessions around the trip rather than lose one.
What to do with your skin in the meantime
- Moisturize. That’s her main instruction for the week or two after you’re back.
- Keep wearing SPF. Jiman calls it one of the most important things for protecting skin from sun damage and sunspots. Her full routine is in First fine lines in your 30s.
- Go easy. No scrubs or strong products on skin that’s peeling or tender.
- If you’re burned or blistered, tell her when you book. She’ll tell you how long to wait.
Then, the right treatment for your skin
Once your skin has settled, the session depends on what it needs:
“It depends on what her skin needs. If she is my regular client, then I know exactly what I’ve done before, and I would suggest a skin booster. A skin booster is a product that I add to the skin to bring the skin back to life.”
One of the skin boosters she offers is her new Collagen Velvet Glow Facial, which she describes as “designed to support skin rejuvenation, hydration, and overall skin appearance.” She’ll tell you which booster suits your skin.
If you’re new to J Beauty Spa, start with a Personalized Facial. Jiman will look at your skin before she suggests anything (what happens at a first visit). If your skin is dry, her usual choice is a hydrofacial: why she picks it for dry skin is in Best facial for dry skin vs acne-prone skin.