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

Eyebrow Tint Aftercare

Eyebrow tinting enhances the brows by deepening the color for a fuller, more defined look. Proper aftercare helps the tint last longer.

For the first 24 hours:

Keep brows dry
Avoid rubbing, scrubbing, or touching the brows unnecessarily
Avoid cleansers, oils, exfoliants, and makeup removers directly on the brows
Avoid steam, saunas, and excessive sweating

To help the tint last:

Avoid oil-based products around the eyebrow area
Be gentle when cleansing the face
Limit exfoliation around the brows

What to expect:

Brows may appear darker immediately after treatment
The color will soften slightly over the next day or two

Microdermabrasion Aftercare

Microdermabrasion gently exfoliates the outermost layer of dead skin cells to help improve skin texture, brightness, congestion, and the appearance of fine lines and discoloration. Because the skin has been freshly exfoliated, it may be more sensitive and vulnerable to irritation and sun exposure immediately following your treatment.

For the first 24–48 hours:

Avoid retinol, tretinoin, AHAs, BHAs, benzoyl peroxide, exfoliating acids, and other strong active ingredients
Avoid facial scrubs, cleansing brushes, exfoliating tools, and at-home skincare devices
Avoid excessive heat, including saunas, steam rooms, and very hot showers
Avoid strenuous exercise or activities that cause excessive sweating for the remainder of the day
Avoid direct or prolonged sun exposure
Avoid waxing, dermaplaning, chemical peels, or other exfoliating treatments on the treated area
Avoid picking, rubbing, or scratching the skin
Keep your skin well hydrated

What to use:

Gentle cleanser
Hydrating serum
Barrier-supportive moisturizer
Broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher every day

What to expect:

Mild redness, pinkness, tightness, or sensitivity may occur immediately after treatment
Your skin may feel slightly dry or appear mildly flaky over the next few days
Skin should gradually feel smoother and look brighter and more refreshed
Temporary sensitivity is normal and typically improves within 24–48 hours

Important:

Daily sunscreen is especially important after microdermabrasion because freshly exfoliated skin is more susceptible to sun damage and hyperpigmentation.
Resume your regular active skincare products gradually once your skin feels completely calm and no longer sensitive. If you are unsure when to restart a product, contact The Beauty Kitchen Day Spa for guidance.

DPN Removal Aftercare

DPN removal treats dermatosis papulosa nigra lesions by targeting and removing the raised spots from the skin. Proper aftercare is essential to support healing and minimize irritation or discoloration.

Important aftercare instructions:

Do not pick, scratch, or rub the treated areas
Keep the area clean and dry
Apply any healing ointment or aftercare product exactly as directed
Avoid excessive sweating, heat, and direct sun exposure during early healing
Wear SPF daily to help protect healing skin and reduce risk of hyperpigmentation
Avoid active ingredients, exfoliants, and harsh products until the skin has healed
Do not shave, wax, or exfoliate over treated areas while healing

What to expect:

The treated spots may darken, dry out, and form small crusts or scabs
These will shed naturally over time
Mild redness or tenderness can occur
Healing times vary depending on the number and size of lesions treated

Important:

Let scabs fall off on their own. Picking can increase the risk of scarring and pigmentation changes

Cosmetic Microneedling Aftercare

Microneedling creates controlled microchannels in the skin to stimulate the skin’s natural repair process and improve the appearance of texture, acne scarring, fine lines, and overall skin quality.

Your skin will be more sensitive immediately following treatment, so proper aftercare is essential to support healing, protect the skin barrier, and achieve the best possible results.

For the first 24 hours:

Keep your skincare routine very simple and use only the post-treatment products recommended by your esthetician.
Avoid makeup for at least 24 hours.
Avoid touching your face unnecessarily. Always wash your hands before applying skincare products.
Avoid strenuous exercise, excessive sweating, saunas, steam rooms, hot tubs, and very hot showers.
Avoid swimming pools, lakes, oceans, and other activities that may expose the treated skin to bacteria or irritants.
Avoid direct sun exposure.
Do not use facial scrubs, cleansing brushes, exfoliating tools, or at-home skincare devices.
Do not pick, scratch, rub, or peel the skin.

For the next 3–5 days:

Continue treating your skin gently while the skin barrier recovers.

Avoid:

Retinol, retinal, tretinoin, adapalene, or other retinoids
AHAs and BHAs, including glycolic, lactic, mandelic, and salicylic acids
Benzoyl peroxide
Exfoliating pads, scrubs, enzymes, or peels
Strong vitamin C or other potentially irritating active ingredients
Waxing, dermaplaning, microdermabrasion, chemical peels, or other exfoliating treatments
Excessive sun exposure and heat

Do not resume active skincare simply because redness has disappeared. Your skin should feel completely calm, comfortable, and back to normal before gradually reintroducing stronger products.

What to use:

Keep your routine gentle, hydrating, and barrier supportive.

Morning

Gentle cleanser
Recommended hydrating or recovery serum
Barrier-supportive moisturizer
Broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher

Evening

Gentle cleanser
Recommended hydrating or recovery serum
Barrier-supportive moisturizer

Apply sunscreen every morning and reapply when needed, particularly when outdoors.

What to expect:

Immediately following microneedling, your skin may look and feel similar to a mild-to-moderate sunburn.

You may experience:

Redness or pinkness
Warmth
Mild swelling
Tightness
Tenderness or sensitivity
Dryness or mild flaking
A slightly rough or “sandpaper-like” texture as the skin begins to renew itself

Redness and sensitivity commonly improve over the first few days. Dermalogica notes that mild redness and irritation may persist for approximately 2–3 days following microneedling.

Important:

Do not pick or peel flaking skin. Allow it to shed naturally.
Sun protection is essential. Your skin is particularly vulnerable to UV exposure following microneedling.
Keep the skin hydrated and avoid introducing new skincare products while it is healing.
Resume exfoliants, retinoids, and other active products gradually only after your skin has fully recovered or according to your esthetician’s instructions.
Avoid scheduling other aggressive exfoliating or resurfacing treatments until your skin has completely healed.

Please contact The Beauty Kitchen Day Spa if:

You experience increasing redness, significant swelling, blistering, unusual pain, drainage, signs of infection, or any reaction that concerns you.

When in doubt about a skincare product or when to restart your regular routine, contact The Beauty Kitchen Day Spa before applying it.