What skin treatments include
Skin treatments is a broad label. At most med spas it covers four kinds of service: facials, chemical peels, microneedling, and light-based skin treatments. Each one works on the skin's surface or just below it, and each comes in many versions.
A facial usually means cleansing, exfoliation, a mask and sometimes extraction. A chemical peel is a solution applied to the skin for a set time, in strengths that run from light to deeper. Microneedling uses a device with very fine needles to make tiny punctures in the outer layer. Light-based treatments use devices that send light energy into the skin.
Which of these, if any, suits you is a decision for a licensed provider at a consultation.
Medicines, pregnancy and recent sun
Three topics come up in almost every skin treatment consultation.
Medicines. Some medicines make skin more sensitive, including acne medicine taken by mouth, vitamin A creams and some antibiotics. Bring a list, including supplements.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding. Some peels and products are usually avoided during pregnancy. Say so if you are pregnant, trying, or breastfeeding.
Sun. A recent tan, sunburn or self-tanner can change what a provider is willing to do that day, especially with peels and light-based devices.
A licensed provider weighs these together. None of this is a reason to stay away from a consultation. It helps the provider decide what fits.
The week before a skin consultation
A consultation on its own usually involves no treatment, though some providers can treat at the same visit if you both agree. If that is possible, a few things are worth asking about ahead of time:
- whether to pause strong exfoliants or vitamin A creams beforehand
- whether to avoid tanning, sunburn and self-tanner
- whether to skip waxing or threading on the area
- whether to arrive without makeup
Ask the provider or their office rather than guessing. Never stop a prescribed medicine without checking with whoever prescribed it.
Questions about skin treatments
Can I have a skin treatment if I am pregnant?
Some skin treatments and products are usually avoided during pregnancy and breastfeeding, and others may still be an option. Tell the provider at the start of the consultation, and they will decide what is suitable. For questions about your pregnancy, your own doctor or midwife is the right person to ask.
How many visits do skin treatments take?
It depends on the treatment, your skin and what you want to ask about. Some people have a single facial. Peels, microneedling and light-based treatments are often planned as a series. A licensed provider can tell you what is typical for a given treatment, without promising a set number.
Should I avoid the sun before a skin treatment?
Many providers ask you to avoid tanning, sunburn and self-tanner before peels and light-based treatments, since recent sun can change what they are willing to do. Ask the office for its own instructions before your visit, and mention any recent sun at the consultation.
Have a question about a med spa treatment? Send a short consultation request to a provider in or near Spokane.
Request a consultationMore consultation topics
Injectables consults
A licensed provider can talk through wrinkle relaxers and dermal fillers with you and decide what is suitable.
Laser hair removal
Find out what a session involves, how to prepare and how to care for your skin afterward.
Body treatments
Non-surgical body treatments such as body contouring. Ask a local provider what a treatment involves and whether it may suit you.