Post-Care Instructions · Hydrafacial
Hydrafacial aftercare
A Hydrafacial has no downtime — you can head straight back to your day. But a few small choices in the first 48 hours decide how long the glow lasts and whether your skin stays calm. Here's exactly what to do, and what to hold off on.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Nokuthula Msimanga, MD — Medical Director, Majspa Medspa & Aesthetics. Last reviewed .
Your Hydrafacial cleansed, exfoliated, extracted, and infused your skin with serums in a single session. Because the treatment includes real exfoliation (glycolic and salicylic acids) and vacuum extraction, your skin is temporarily more receptive — which is exactly why the serums work so well, and also why layering harsh products on top in the first day or two is the fastest way to undo the result.
What's normal — and when to call us
Before anything else, here's how to tell an ordinary reaction from a reason to reach out.
Normal & expected
- An immediate glow and plumper, smoother-feeling skin
- Mild pinkness for a few hours, especially after extractions
- Slight tenderness where congestion was cleared
- A small "purge" of a few surface breakouts in the days after — uncommon, but not a bad sign
- Skin feeling more hydrated for several days
Call us right away
- Redness that lasts beyond 24 hours
- Swelling, an itchy rash, or hives — possible reaction to a serum
- Burning or stinging that doesn't settle
- Any reaction that feels like more than mild sensitivity
Reactions are uncommon with a Hydrafacial — it's one of the gentlest treatments we offer. But if something feels off, call us at (470) 748-9797 — we would always rather hear from you.
Your aftercare, step by step
The rest of your day
First ~6 hours
- Go bare-faced if you can. Makeup the same day is perfectly fine — there's no downtime — but giving the infused serums about 6 hours to absorb gets you a noticeably better glow.
- Don't wash your face right away. Let the serums stay on the skin; wait until your evening routine.
- Keep hands off. No touching, picking, or examining extraction spots in the mirror.
- Drink water. Hydration from the inside genuinely helps the result hold.
Keep it simple
First 24–48 hours
- Pause all exfoliation. No retinoids, AHAs, BHAs, or physical scrubs for 24–48 hours. Your skin was just exfoliated — doubling up is the most common cause of post-Hydrafacial irritation.
- Skip the workout for 24 hours, along with saunas, steam rooms, hot tubs, and hot yoga.
- Cleanse gently with a mild, non-foaming cleanser and lukewarm water.
- No waxing, threading, or other facial treatments for about 48–72 hours.
- Wear SPF 30+ daily. Freshly exfoliated skin burns more easily than usual.
Making the glow last
The following weeks
- Resume your routine after 48 hours — reintroduce retinoids and acids one at a time rather than all at once.
- Keep skin hydrated with a hyaluronic acid serum and moisturizer to extend the plumping effect.
- Book on a rhythm. Every 4 weeks for active goals like texture, congestion, or dullness; every 6–8 weeks for maintenance.
- Timing before an event: 3–5 days ahead is ideal — full glow, with buffer in case of a brief purge.
What to avoid after your Hydrafacial
- Exfoliating actives — retinoids, AHAs, BHAs, and scrubs for 24–48 hours.
- Heat and heavy sweat — workouts, saunas, steam rooms, and hot yoga for 24 hours.
- Waxing and other facial treatments — for about 48–72 hours.
- Unprotected sun and tanning — SPF 30+ daily, no tanning beds.
- Picking at extraction spots — let them settle on their own.
When to contact Majspa Medspa & Aesthetics
Reach out if redness lasts beyond 24 hours, or if you notice swelling, an itchy rash, hives, or persistent burning. Reactions are uncommon with a Hydrafacial — and we would always rather answer a question than have you wait and worry.