Aftercare Instructions

Aftercare matters.
To help you get the best results from your treatment and protect your skin while it heals, please follow the aftercare instructions below. Healing times can vary, so always follow any personalized guidance given during your appointment. If you experience any irritation and/or an allergic reaction after a treatment, please don't hesitate to contact me at (202) 997-5829 or thebeautykitchen@gmail.com.

General Facial Aftercare

A facial helps cleanse, exfoliate, hydrate, and rebalance the skin. After your treatment, your skin should feel refreshed, but it may also be more receptive and sensitive than usual.

For the first 24 hours:

Avoid heavy makeup if possible
Avoid touching or picking at the skin
Skip exfoliants, retinol, and harsh products unless instructed otherwise
Avoid excessive heat, steam, and intense sweating
Wear sunscreen if you’ll be outdoors

Best practices after your facial:

Drink water
Keep your routine simple and hydrating
Follow any home-care recommendations given during your appointment
Stay consistent with SPF

What to expect:

Skin may look glowy, calm, and more hydrated
If extractions were performed, you may have temporary redness or mild sensitivity

Dermaplaning Aftercare

Dermaplaning removes dead skin cells and vellus hair, leaving your skin smoother, brighter, and more product-responsive. Because your skin will be freshly exfoliated, it may be a little more sensitive than usual.

For the first 24–48 hours:

Avoid direct sun exposure and wear SPF 30 or higher daily
Do not use retinol, tretinoin, AHAs, BHAs, benzoyl peroxide, or other exfoliating products
Avoid scrubs, cleansing brushes, and harsh active ingredients
Skip excessive heat, including saunas, steam rooms, and very hot showers
Avoid intense exercise if it causes heavy sweating right after treatment
Keep skin hydrated with gentle, nourishing skincare

What to use:

Gentle cleanser
Hydrating serum
Moisturizer
Broad-spectrum sunscreen

What to expect:

Mild pinkness or sensitivity may occur temporarily
Skin should feel smoother and look more radiant within a few days

Microchanneling Aftercare

Microchanneling creates controlled micro-channels in the skin to stimulate collagen production and improve texture, tone, scarring, and overall skin health. Proper aftercare is key for healing and results.

For the first 24 hours:

Do not wash your face unless instructed otherwise
Keep hands off the treated area for 90 min. after treatment.
Avoid makeup
Avoid sweating, exercise, heat, steam, and direct sun exposure
Use only the post-care products recommended by your provider

For the first 3–7 days:

Avoid retinoids, exfoliants, acids, benzoyl peroxide, and other strong actives
Do not pick, scratch, or exfoliate flaking skin
Avoid swimming pools, hot tubs, and saunas
Avoid waxing, dermaplaning, or other aggressive treatments on the area
Stay consistent with gentle hydration and sun protection

What to use:

Gentle cleanser when advised
Healing or hydrating serum recommended by your provider
Barrier-supportive moisturizer
Mineral or gentle SPF once approved

What to expect:

Redness, tightness, dryness, and a sandpaper-like texture can happen for a few days
Mild flaking may occur
Full results develop gradually as collagen production increases over time

Chemical Peel Aftercare

Chemical peels help improve acne, discoloration, texture, fine lines, and dullness by accelerating skin cell turnover. After treatment, your skin may feel tight, dry, or begin to peel depending on the strength of the peel.

For the first 24–48 hours:

Do not pick, peel, rub, or scrub the skin
Avoid heat, sweating, steam, and direct sun exposure
Avoid makeup unless you were told otherwise
Use only gentle, hydrating products

Until skin is fully healed:

Do not use retinol, acids, scrubs, or exfoliating tools
Avoid waxing, threading, dermaplaning, and other exfoliating treatments
Wear SPF 30 or higher every day
Keep skin moisturized and protected

What to use:

Gentle cleanser
Hydrating moisturizer
Sunscreen
Any post-peel products recommended by your provider

What to expect:

Redness, tightness, dryness, and visible peeling may occur
Peeling does not always happen, and that does not mean the treatment didn’t work
Skin may feel sensitive for several days

Important:

Never pull off peeling skin. Let it shed naturally. Your face is not a scratch-off ticket.

Hydrodermabrasion Aftercare

Hydrodermabrasion deeply cleanses, exfoliates, and infuses the skin with hydrating ingredients. Your skin will typically look fresh and glowing afterward, but it may also be temporarily more sensitive.

For the first 24–48 hours:

Avoid retinol, exfoliating acids, and abrasive scrubs
Avoid excessive sun exposure and wear SPF daily
Skip saunas, steam, and very hot showers
Avoid aggressive treatments or devices on the skin
Keep the skin hydrated

What to use:

Gentle cleanser
Hydrating serum
Moisturizer
Broad-spectrum sunscreen

What to expect:

Mild pinkness may occur
Skin should look brighter, smoother, and more refreshed

Waxing & Sugaring Aftercare

Waxing and sugaring remove hair from the root, which can leave the skin temporarily sensitive. Good aftercare helps reduce irritation, ingrown hairs, and breakouts.

For the first 24–48 hours:

Avoid hot baths, saunas, steam rooms, and hot showers
Avoid excessive sweating and intense workouts
Avoid direct sun exposure and tanning
Do not use fragranced lotions, harsh scrubs, or active skincare on the treated area
Avoid touching the area with unwashed hands
Wear loose, breathable clothing if body areas were treated

To prevent irritation and ingrown hairs:

Keep the area clean and moisturized
Begin gentle exfoliation only after the skin has calmed, usually after a few days
Avoid shaving between appointments if possible

What to expect:

Mild redness, bumps, or sensitivity can happen shortly after treatment
This usually settles within 24–48 hours