You’ve just gotten out of your facial, your skin feeling soft and glowing. But here’s the question that keeps coming up once you get home: “Can I go exercise now?” or “I have a date tonight, is it okay if I wear makeup?”
What really happens after a facial
After a facial, your skin isn’t in its normal state. It’s just undergone (in a good way) a whole process: deep cleansing, stimulation, exfoliation, drainage, masks, massages… It’s as if it just came out of a workout.
Your pores are dilated, your blood circulation is boosted, and your skin is more permeable than usual. This is exactly what we’re looking for during the treatment—it allows the active ingredients to penetrate better, but it also means it’s temporarily more fragile.
And sometimes, for some clients, we notice a slight redness that can last from 30 minutes to a few hours depending on sensitivity. This is normal, it’s even a good sign! It shows that circulation has been boosted.
So, exercising after a facial: not forbidden, but not ideal
So, exercising right after a facial massage? It’s not the end of the world, but it’s not ideal either.
When you sweat, your pores naturally drain. The thing is, after a treatment, they’re still a little dilated and your skin is more receptive. Perspiration can therefore reduce the benefits of the treatment you just received.
Plus, during exercise, we tend to dry our face. With skin that’s just been pampered, it’s a bit of a shame to mistreat it right afterward.
And let’s be honest: you’ve just invested time and money in your skin. You might as well make the most of it! Our advice: If you can wait 4-6 hours, it’s better. But if you absolutely need to move around, it’s not a big deal.
Going out after a facial: yes, but with a few recommendations
Of course, you can definitely go out after a facial; we’re even quite happy to show off our glow, but you should take a few precautions.
First step: sunscreen is mandatory, even in winter, even in the evening. Your skin is more sensitive to UV rays during the 24 hours following a treatment. We apply a minimum of SPF 30. As with every treatment at Maison Ysaé, we systematically apply SPF; it’s not an option!
Second point: avoid touching your face. We know, it’s tempting when your skin is so soft, but your hands carry bacteria that can cause reactions on sensitized skin.
As for makeup, you can reapply it, but wait at least 2 hours after the treatment. And opt for lightweight products: BB cream rather than full-coverage foundation, mascara rather than a heavy smoky eye. The goal is to cover the skin’s pores as little as possible to let them breathe and recover.
Little things to avoid after a facial massage
First point: going to the pool or sauna in the hours following the treatment. The chlorine in the pool on freshly treated skin isn’t great. And the intense heat can make redness last.
Another trick we often see: scheduling your facial for the morning of an important event. Even if everything goes well, there may be a slight redness that takes a few hours to disappear.
That’s why we recommend doing your treatment 1 or 2 days beforehand, but it’s not an absolute requirement; you know your skin and its reactions!
Last thing: use strong active products the same evening. Your skin has already had its fill during the treatment. It’s best to leave it alone so it can benefit from it! The facialists at Maison Ysaé will tell you which skincare products they used during the treatment and will make recommendations on the best beauty routine to adopt.
Getting your skin used to it: the key to easier aftercare
Here’s something we notice all the time at Maison Ysaé: clients who have a regular skincare routine and practice self-massage have much simpler aftercare.
Why? Because their skin is used to being manipulated, deeply cleansed, and receiving active ingredients.
Those who regularly massage their faces at home—with a gua sha, ridoki, or even just their fingers—have skin that responds better. It’s already accustomed to the stimulation and its circulation is more fluid.
The same goes for those who have a proper routine: cleansing, serum, cream, sunscreen. Their skin is already familiar with the active ingredients; it’s not “shocked” by the professional treatment.
The result? Less redness, faster recovery, and they can often return to their activities sooner than others.
So if you want a cooler facial after-effect, start by pampering your skin every day!
Post-facial Reflexes after a facial massage
To maximize the benefits of your treatment, here’s what we recommend:
The first 4 hours: Rest your skin. No exercise, no products, just thermal spring water if needed to soothe.
The first day: Gentle cleansing, light moisturizing, and sunscreen. Avoid heavy makeup and active products.
The following 48 hours: You can resume your usual routine, but gradually increase it with stronger active ingredients (retinol, AHA, BHA, etc.).
Enhanced hydration: Your skin needs more hydration for a few days. Don’t hesitate to reapply if it feels tight.
Special cases depending on the treatment type
Not all facials are created equal in terms of after-effects.
Classic moisturizing treatment: you can do almost everything normally after 2-3 hours.
Treatment with exfoliation: here, you need to be more careful. The extraction areas may remain sensitive for 24-48 hours. Avoid exercise and heavy makeup for at least one day.
Peeling or microdermabrasion: your skin has been deeply exfoliated. Allow 48-72 hours before resuming exercise and active products. Increased sun protection for one week.
Intensive anti-aging treatment: often with concentrated active ingredients. Beware of delayed reactions that can appear 24-48 hours later.
Optimizing long-term results
A facial is an investment in your skin. To reap the full benefits, you need to adjust your lifestyle for a few days.
Quality sleep: your skin regenerates at night. After a treatment, it’s even more important to get a good night’s sleep to maximize cellular repair.
Diet: Avoid alcohol and overly fatty or sugary foods for 24-48 hours. These can cause inflammation that counteracts the treatment’s effects.
Internal hydration: Drink more water than usual to help your skin eliminate toxins released during the treatment.
After a facial massage : Your recap
Going out after a facial is no problem. Exercising isn’t ideal, but it’s not a big deal either. Your skin has just received a little boost, so make the most of it!
We know that life doesn’t stop after a treatment, quite the opposite. Sometimes we have our constraints, our schedules, our desires. The important thing is to do your best without worrying too much. A facial is, above all, a pleasure. There’s no need to stress over a few details, but adapt your routine to maintain optimal effects 🙂
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