Treatments & the salon
What happens during a professional facial?
Reviewed by Cassidy, aesthetic therapist · Updated · 4 min read
The short answer
A professional facial starts with a short consultation and a close look at your skin, then moves through deep cleansing, exfoliation, extractions where needed, a treatment mask and serums chosen for your skin, and finishes with moisturiser and sunscreen. At MAIÈ the whole appointment takes about an hour, with around 45 minutes of hands-on treatment.
Key points
- Every good facial begins with an assessment, because the right products depend on what your skin needs that day.
- The core steps are cleanse, exfoliate, extract (only if needed), treat, mask and protect.
- Professional products are more concentrated than most home care, which is why skin often looks brighter and more hydrated straight away.
- Most people can go straight back to their day, with little or no redness.
A professional facial is one of the most relaxing hours you can book, but it is also a proper skin treatment. Knowing what happens at each step makes it easier to get the most from it, and to know what to ask your therapist.
Why does a facial start with a consultation?
Your skin is not the same every time you walk in. Stress, hormones, the season, a new product or a few late nights all change how it looks and behaves. A good therapist starts by asking how your skin has been, what you are using at home and what you would like to improve.
At MAIÈ, every MAIÈ Facial begins with an in-person consultation and a manual skin analysis. Your therapist looks at and feels your skin under good light to check oiliness, dryness, congestion, sensitivity and pigmentation. This is what makes a facial bespoke: the products, techniques and strength of each step are chosen for your skin on the day, not taken from a fixed menu.
Tell your therapist about any medication, recent treatments, allergies or pregnancy before anything touches your skin. These details can change which products are safe to use.
What are the steps of a professional facial?
Every salon has its own style, but a results-focused facial usually follows the same order.
- Cleanse. Makeup, sunscreen and the day's oil and grime are removed, often with two rounds of cleansing so the second can properly clean the skin itself.
- Analyse. With your skin clean, your therapist can see what is really going on and confirm the plan.
- Exfoliate. Dead cells on the surface make skin look dull and stop products from absorbing well. Depending on your skin, this may be an enzyme, a gentle acid or a fine physical exfoliant.
- Steam and extractions. Warmth softens congestion so blackheads and blocked pores can be cleared by hand. Extractions are only done where they are needed, and should never be forced.
- Treatment serums. Concentrated serums are chosen for your concern, for example hydration, calming redness or brightening uneven tone.
- Massage. Facial massage relaxes the muscles of the face and is often the part clients remember most.
- Mask. A mask matched to your skin, such as hydrating, calming, clarifying or brightening, is left on to work while you rest.
- Moisturise and protect. The treatment finishes with moisturiser and a broad-spectrum sunscreen, because freshly treated skin still needs protection from the sun.
How is a professional facial different from one at home?
The biggest difference is concentration and judgement. Professional products are generally more concentrated than home care, and a trained therapist can decide how far to take each step, such as how strong an exfoliant to use or whether a blocked pore should be extracted at all. That combination is why skin often looks visibly brighter and more hydrated as you leave.
Home care still matters. A facial gives your skin a reset, and your daily routine keeps it there. Read more in professional treatments vs at-home skincare.
What does your skin look and feel like afterwards?
Most people leave with skin that feels clean, soft and hydrated. A little redness is normal, especially after extractions or exfoliation, and it usually settles within a few hours. There is typically no downtime, so you can go straight back to work or home.
If you had a lot of congestion cleared, you may notice one or two small spots over the following days as the skin settles. This is common and not a sign that anything went wrong. Our guide to what to do after a facial covers the next 48 hours.
Is a facial the right treatment for you?
A facial is a good choice if you want to maintain healthy skin, boost hydration and glow, clear congestion or simply start caring for your skin with professional guidance. If you are hoping to improve deeper concerns such as texture, acne scarring or fine lines, a chemical peel or microneedling may do more, and your facialist can plan how facials fit around them.
Questions we’re often asked
How long does a facial take?
The MAIÈ Facial takes about an hour: a short consultation and manual skin analysis, followed by a 45 minute facial treatment.
Do extractions hurt?
They can feel a little uncomfortable, but they should never be painful. We soften the skin first, only extract what is ready and stop if your skin is becoming irritated.
Can I wear makeup after a facial?
It is best to let your skin rest for the rest of the day to ensure no makeup enters your pores, allowing the products applied during the treatment to keep working.
Should I have a facial before an event?
Yes, but book it a few days before rather than on the day. That gives any redness from extractions time to settle.
Do I need to do anything before my facial?
Arrive with a clean face, and let us know about any new medication, recent treatments or if you are pregnant or breast feeding before we begin treatment.
This article is general information to help you understand your skin and your options. It isn’t a diagnosis or medical advice. If you are pregnant, on medication or have a skin condition, speak to your doctor, and always tell your therapist about your health history before a treatment.
