How to Prepare Your Skin for Professional Treatments
Booking a professional skin treatment is exciting, but what you do before your appointment can make or break your results. Whether you’re coming in for a facial, skin needling, laser, IPL, or advanced corrective treatment, proper skin preparation helps ensure better outcomes, faster healing, and fewer side effects.
Here’s exactly how to prepare your skin like a pro.
1. Prioritise Your Skin Barrier
Healthy skin responds better to professional treatments. In the weeks leading up to your appointment, focus on hydration and barrier repair rather than aggressive exfoliation.
What to do:
Use a gentle, non-foaming cleanser
Apply a nourishing moisturiser daily
Look for ingredients like ceramides, glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and niacinamide
A compromised barrier can increase sensitivity, redness, and downtime, especially with treatments like laser or microneedling.
2. Pause Active Ingredients (When Advised)
Strong actives can overstimulate the skin before treatments. Your therapist may give you specific instructions, but as a general rule:
Common ingredients to pause 3–7 days before treatment:
Retinol and prescription vitamin A
AHAs and BHAs (glycolic, lactic, salicylic acid)
Benzoyl peroxide
Strong exfoliating scrubs
Stopping actives allows your skin to calm and reduces the risk of irritation or post-treatment reactions.
3. Avoid Sun Exposure
Sun-exposed skin is more sensitive and prone to pigmentation after treatments.
Before your appointment:
Avoid tanning and prolonged sun exposure
Wear SPF daily (even in winter or on cloudy days)
Reapply sunscreen if you’re outdoors
Sunburned or overly tanned skin may mean your treatment needs to be postponed, especially for laser or IPL.
4. Hydration Starts From Within
Well-hydrated skin heals faster and looks better post-treatment.
In the days leading up to your appointment:
Drink plenty of water
Limit alcohol and caffeine
Increase hydrating foods like fruits and vegetables
Dehydrated skin is more prone to tightness, flaking, and slower recovery.
5. Avoid New Products or DIY Treatments
Now is not the time to experiment. Introducing new products or at-home treatments right before a professional service can trigger unexpected reactions.
Avoid:
New skincare products
At-home peels or microneedling devices
Waxing or threading in the treatment area (unless instructed)
Stick to what your skin already tolerates well.
6. Come to Your Appointment With Clean Skin
On the day of your treatment:
Arrive with minimal or no makeup
Avoid heavy creams or oils unless instructed
Let your therapist see your skin in its natural state
This allows for an accurate skin assessment and safer treatment planning.
7. Be Honest During Your Consultation
Your therapist needs the full picture to tailor your treatment safely.
Always disclose:
Current skincare products
Medications or supplements
Recent sun exposure or skin reactions
Previous treatments or sensitivities
There’s no judgment, only better results when your treatment is customised correctly.
Final Thoughts
Preparing your skin properly isn’t about doing more, it’s about doing the right things. A calm, hydrated, protected skin barrier sets the foundation for glowing results and smoother recovery after professional treatments.
If you’re unsure how to prep for your specific service, always ask your skin therapist, personalised guidance makes all the difference.
Your skin will thank you for it.