First-Time Facial? Here’s Everything You Need to Know Before Your Appointment

Booking your first facial? Great choice. 

But if you’ve never had one before, you might be wondering: What actually happens during a facial? Should I do anything to prep? Will I walk out glowing or red as a beet?

At the Moore Center Medical Spa in Athens, GA, we specialize in results-driven facials like the Signature Facial and the DiamondGlow® Facial—and we love making first-timers feel right at home. 

This guide will walk you through everything you need to know before your first facial, so you can show up confident and leave with your best skin yet.

Why Get a Facial?

Sure, your at-home skincare routine is important—but nothing compares to the benefits of a professional facial. A good facial does more than cleanse your skin; it deeply exfoliates, unclogs pores, hydrates, and delivers potent active ingredients that actually work.

Facials can help with:

• Uneven texture and dullness
• Acne and congestion
• Dry or dehydrated skin
• Fine lines and early signs of aging
• Sensitivity or redness
• General maintenance for healthy, glowing skin

It’s also the perfect way to hit reset if your skin has been feeling off lately.

Which Facial Should You Choose?

At The Moore Center, we offer two exceptional options:

💎 DiamondGlow® Facial

DiamondGlow® is a next-level skin resurfacing treatment that cleanses, exfoliates, and infuses the skin with medical-grade serums in one go. Great for improving texture, brightening dullness, and giving your skin that post-facial glow.

Best for: Those looking for an advanced, non-invasive treatment with visible results after one session.

✨ Signature Facial

Our Signature Facial in Athens, GA is a fully customized, spa-style facial using top-tier products and targeted techniques. This option is ideal for first-timers and those looking for a mix of skincare benefits and deep relaxation.

Best for: All skin types, especially those new to facials or looking for a more gentle, restorative experience.

What Happens During Your Diamond Glow Facial? A Step-by-Step Breakdown

Each Diamond Glow Facial is customized for your skincare needs, so it may vary a bit, but here’s the typical procedure:

1. Consultation & Skin Analysis

We’ll start with a quick conversation about your skin, concerns, and goals. Our medical aestheticians will then assess your skin type and condition under proper lighting.

2. Cleanse & Exfoliate

We begin by removing makeup, oil, and impurities with a gentle cleanser. Then we exfoliate to slough off dead skin cells and prep your skin for deeper treatment.

3. Steam & Extractions (Optional)

If your skin needs it and you’re comfortable, we’ll perform extractions to clear out clogged pores. This is especially helpful for blackheads, whiteheads, and congested areas.

4. Diamond Glow 

Using the Diamond Glow machine, we are able to exfoliate, extract, and infuse a serum in your skin to address your specific skin care needs. This noninvasive procedure aims to improve skin appearance, leaving you with a radiant complexion.

5. Custom Mask & Massage

A treatment mask is chosen based on your skin’s needs—hydrating, calming, clarifying, etc.—followed by a relaxing facial massage that stimulates circulation and eases facial tension.

6. Serums, Moisturizer, and SPF

To wrap it up, we apply targeted serums, a rich moisturizer, and sun protection so you leave glowing and guarded.

7. Optional Add-Ons

Want to level up? You can enhance your facial with dermaplaning, LED light therapy, a jelly mask, or extra massage. Just let us know in advance or during your consult.

What Happens During Your Signature Facial? A Step-by-Step Breakdown

No two facials are exactly the same—ours are personalized for your skin—but here’s the general flow:

1. Consultation & Skin Analysis

We’ll start with a quick conversation about your skin, concerns, and goals. Our medical aestheticians will then assess your skin type and condition under proper lighting.

2. Cleanse & Exfoliate

We begin by removing makeup, oil, and impurities with a gentle cleanser. Then we exfoliate to slough off dead skin cells and prep your skin for deeper treatment.

3. Steam & Extractions (Optional)

If your skin needs it and you’re comfortable, we’ll perform extractions to clear out clogged pores. This is especially helpful for blackheads, whiteheads, and congested areas.

4. Custom Mask & Massage

A treatment mask is chosen based on your skin’s needs—hydrating, calming, clarifying, etc.—followed by a relaxing facial massage that stimulates circulation and eases facial tension.

5. Serums, Moisturizer, and SPF

To wrap it up, we apply targeted serums, a rich moisturizer, and sun protection to leave you glowing and guarded.

6. Optional Add-Ons

Want to level up? You can enhance your facial with dermaplaning, LED light therapy, a jelly mask, or extra massage. Just let us know in advance or during your consult.

Before Your Facial: How to Prepare

• Hydrate. Well-hydrated skin responds better to treatment.
• Skip retinols or acids. Avoid harsh skincare products 3–5 days before your appointment.
• Limit sun exposure. No tanning or extended sun exposure beforehand.
• Don’t exfoliate the day of. We’ll take care of that for you.
• Arrive with a clean face. No makeup, no problem.
• Let us know about allergies or sensitivities. We’ll adjust products accordingly.

Aftercare: What to Expect Post-Facial

Most clients leave looking radiant and feeling refreshed. You might experience mild redness, especially if extractions were performed, but this typically fades within a few hours.

To get the best results:

• Avoid exfoliating or active ingredients for 2–3 days.
• Use gentle skincare. Stick to hydrating, soothing products.
• Stay out of the sun. Your skin will be more sensitive.
• Skip the gym or sauna for 24 hours. Sweat can irritate freshly treated skin.
• Use SPF daily. Always, but especially now.

How Often Should You Get a Facial?

If you’re serious about maintaining great skin, aim for once a month. That’s the natural cycle of skin cell turnover, and regular facials help keep that process running smoothly. 

For targeted concerns, we may recommend a customized schedule.

Common First-Timer Questions (And Our Honest Answers)