From a conversation with Jiman Hana, owner of J Beauty Spa ·
How to prepare for your first facial
- Allow about 70 minutes. That’s the length of the Personalized Facial, the usual first visit.
- Tell Jiman when you book about any medication, pregnancy or skin condition (more on why below).
- Pause strong products for a day or two before: retinoids, acids and scrubs. If a doctor prescribed a cream, ask Jiman rather than stopping it on your own.
- Skip waxing, shaving or other facial hair removal for a day or two before.
- Come as you are. Light makeup is fine, because she double cleanses anyway.
- Bring the names of the products you use, or photos of the labels.
It starts with a talk
“First, I start talking with my client. If they’re a first-time client, I want to know about the history: when was the last time they had a facial, if they used any medication before.”
She also asks whether you’re using any medication now, and whether any product has ever irritated your skin. “So first we have a little talk about personal things,” as she puts it. Come with the names of the products you use. It saves time and helps her choose.
Why she asks about Accutane
Some medications change how skin reacts to treatment. Accutane (isotretinoin, a prescription acne medication) is the one Jiman names first:
“If they are on Accutane, I have to stop doing anything.”
How long after Accutane can you get a facial?
There’s no set number of weeks. It depends on how your skin has recovered, and Jiman checks that in person:
“For a gentle facial, I recommend waiting until the skin has recovered from dryness and sensitivity, with a proper skin consultation first.”
Stronger treatments, such as microneedling, need more: an individual assessment, and medical clearance when appropriate (who should not get microneedling). If you’re taking Accutane, or finished a course recently, tell her when you book. The same goes for any prescription skin cream, pregnancy, or a skin condition. She’ll tell you what’s safe to do and when.
Then she looks at your skin
“Then I start with analyzing the skin, cleansing the skin, a double cleanse if they have makeup on.”
A double cleanse means two cleanses: the first takes off makeup and sunscreen, the second cleans the skin itself. Then the treatment follows your skin. Her hydrofacial machine is a Luminous 7-in-1 with seven treatment options, and she chooses the right ones for each client. How the plan changes for dry skin and for acne-prone skin is in Best facial for dry skin vs acne-prone skin.
The Personalized Facial is the usual first visit. It covers a cleanse, steam, toner, skin analysis, exfoliation and extraction, a mask, moisturizer and SPF, and a neck and shoulder massage.
Why your first treatment is a facial
Asked whether a newcomer should start with a facial or a Green Peel, Jiman didn’t hesitate:
“Facial, definitely, because first I need to analyze their skin and know what type of skin they have, clean the skin in the first session, and go from there, and suggest the right treatment for next time and the right product.”
And the consultation isn’t a separate appointment: “Consultation, of course, is during the facial treatment.”
After your facial
Your skin may look a little pink for a few hours. That’s normal, and it settles on its own. For the rest of the day, go gently: leave out scrubs and strong products, give hot yoga and the sauna a miss, and wear SPF if you’re heading outside.
Two of her quickest answers:
- Makeup straight after a facial? “Wait.”
- A pimple: pop it or leave it? “Leave it.”
Then the part she says to every client:
“I will do my part inside the room, but I also want you to continue a home care plan at home, because it’s part of it. If I do my part, you still need to do your part at home.”
She’ll ask what you use now and suggest what your skin needs. How she layers a routine, and the mistake she sees most, are in First fine lines in your 30s.