This is how long facialists say you should prep your skin before a big event

A woman getting a professional facial

Credit: Getty

Skincare


This is how long facialists say you should prep your skin before a big event

By Aidan Milan

2 years ago

5 min read

When we’ve got an important event coming up in the calendar, most of us will want to look our very best. But how many of us take the time to properly prep our skin?  


While there’s not really such a thing as ‘perfect’ skin, it’s natural to want to put your best face forward at a big event.

From celebrities getting ready for awards season to members of the public getting ready for a wedding, some experts recommend that this prep take months. Kate Kerr, clinical facialist and director of Kate Kerr London, says she thinks people should see a professional “at least four months before an event” if they have skin concerns like acne, general congestion, rosacea and hyperpigmentation or enlarged pores.

 “This allows enough time to repair, correct and rejuvenate the skin,” she adds. “We would put them on a programme suitable for their skin that would include a targeted, active skincare regime and facials every skin cycle (four to six weeks). If their skin had issues that required more advanced treatment, such as acne scarring, deep hyperpigmentation, broken capillaries or skin sagging and fine lines, then we would carry out a course of advanced treatments from the 12-week mark, once the skin has stabilised and repaired. This allows for a much safer and more predictable outcome that will give far superior results. Performing advanced treatments on skin that is functioning well will give far superior results than a skin that’s impaired.”

Leading aesthetics expert Dr Barbara Sturm recommends her clients use more “high-performance technological devices” in the run-up, “including micro-needling to stimulate collagen production; the ultrasonic scrubber, which deeply cleanses and exfoliates the skin; microcurrent, which we use for firming and lifting; and LED light therapy, which can help reduce redness and inflammation and enhances hydration”.

However, if you’re coming up to a big event and haven’t spent the last few months getting your skin in perfect working order, please don’t despair. Plenty of experts think in terms of weeks and days rather than months.

Shani Darden, a dermatologist-trained aesthetician, says: “Typically, my clients come in the week of the event and occasionally the day of for a facial. Before an event, I love to give my clients my signature lactic acid peel because it’s great for all skin types and not overly harsh.”

Facialist Michaella Bolder employs what she calls The Bolder Method just over a week in advance. “Getting your glow on is all about ramping up your skincare seven to 10 days ahead of your big event,” she says. “I always book my clients in for a facial treatment around the 10-day marker to kick off a deep and intense cleanse with steam, facial massage focusing on pressure point massage to reduce puffiness, tension relief and sculpting techniques to lift and tighten the facial contours. I will incorporate a surface peel followed by my skin needling process to increase collagen supplies, stimulate a fresh vibrant skin surface and clear away any lingering dead and dull cells.”

Meanwhile, facialist and massage therapist Guendalina Gennari is a fan of getting started a fortnight before. “Most of the time I prefer to see the client a few times before the event to make sure we can target all concerns and address anything problematic,” she says. “Once a week for the two weeks before the event would be enough. If that’s not possible, I like to work on my clients the night before a big event so that they can go to sleep after that and wake up with fresh and glowy skin. I always give a few masks to apply before makeup to maintain the hydration and plumpness.”

If you’re planning something big and want to go the whole nine yards with your skin prep beforehand, here are some top tips the experts recommend…

Don’t overhaul your skincare routine

While you want to make sure you’ve got the best routine for your skin, it’s important not to overload your skin with loads of new things in the weeks before a big event.

Dr Sturm says: “In the weeks leading up to any big event, I would always recommend avoiding any new skincare. When you zig and zag between products and brands, the ingredients may work at cross purposes. And avoid products that contain dehydrating ingredients, such as mineral oils, fragrance and alcohol, and aggressive ingredients.”

Darden agrees, adding: “I also would advise people to not try any new products within a month of any big event to ensure they do not have a reaction. You always want to give your skin time to adjust and make sure the product is a good fit for your skin type.”

Always remember to double-cleanse

Bolder says: “Remember, ‘That Glow’ comes from a healthy stable skin condition. So increase the time you take to cleanse in the evenings, first removing your make-up, then go back in for a double cleanse with a balm or oil consistency to provide a generous slip to glide your massaging hands around your face.”

Book a special facial soon before

“A facial will give you immediate and noticeable skincare results so it’s a must before any special event,” says Dr Sturm. “Look for a treatment that incorporates massage techniques to boost blood and oxygen flow and stimulate lymphatic drainage, because it will give you amazing results in terms of a reduction in puffiness, defining the facial muscles and lifting the cheekbones and jawline. As an added bonus, it will also release some of the built-up tension in your facial muscles that are caused by daily stressors, reducing fine lines and wrinkles.”

But to keep your skin super-optimised, Darden suggests getting a professional facial once a month.

Or try your own at home

Bolder says: “If you can’t get to your facialist, then there are similar options, such as an at-home steamer, AHA peel and massage tools that you can perform at home to create your own professional treatment. I do not recommend micro-needling at home.”

And remember, Bolder recommended her treatments around 10 days before the event you’re prepping for.

Don’t forget to hydrate

“I always work on hydration,” says Gennari. “That’s my main concern. When we achieve a good hydration level on the skin, everything works and looks better. I will always suggest my clients use sheets masks at home and eye patches before a big event (I love the Bioeffect ones).”

Image: Getty

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