Med Spa Treatments: The Best Order to Avoid Irritation

I’ve heard of problems that occur when treatments aren’t done in the right sequence. So today, I’m going to break down why the order matters and how to do it correctly. While this guide will give you a new perspective on planning your beauty treatments, I definitely recommend scheduling a consultation because this is generalized advice at the end of the day!

Why Does the Order Matter?

To put it simply.. when treatments are done in the wrong order, it could possibly (not always) lead to:

Irritation and inflammation
Increased sensitivity
Reduced effectiveness of treatments
Longer recovery times
And in some cases, even scarring

Pre-Treatment Prep

Skin Analysis

The skin analysis is arguably one of the most important steps in the whole process. This is where the experts at Aesthetic Lab really get to know your skin and its unique needs.

At our Houston med spa, we use our many years of experience and our advanced technology to analyze deep into the skin’s layers. We’re checking for things like:

Hydration levels
Oil production
Sun damage
Pigmentation issues
Fine lines and wrinkles
Skin texture and pore size

But it’s not just about the tech. You also get a chance to discuss your skincare concerns, goals, and lifestyle factors that might impact your skin health. This lets us create a personalized treatment plan that addresses your specific needs.

Cleansing and Exfoliation

Before we even think about any treatments, we need to make sure your skin is prepped and ready, aka starting with a clean slate! This means thorough cleansing and gentle exfoliation.

We always recommend starting with a deep cleanse to remove any makeup, oils, or environmental pollutants from the skin. At our med spa, we use a gentle, pH-balanced cleanser that doesn’t strip the skin of its natural oils.

After cleansing, a light exfoliation can work wonders. This step helps remove dead skin cells and allows the subsequent treatments to penetrate more effectively. However, we’re not talking about harsh scrubs here!

Pro tip: If you’re doing this at home, always be gentle! Over-exfoliating can damage your skin barrier and lead to sensitization. Once or twice a week is usually plenty for most skin types. And try to avoid any invasive exfoliation a couple days before any treatment!

Procedure Order and Guidelines

Now that we’ve got the prep work out of the way, let’s get into the main event!

Microdermabrasion/Dermaplaning

Microdermabrasion uses tiny crystals to gently buff away dead skin, while dermaplaning uses a sterile surgical scalpel to “shave” off dead skin and peach fuzz. Both treatments are relatively gentle and have minimal downtime, making them perfect first steps in the treatment sequence.

Why do these come first? Well, by removing that top layer of dead skin, we’re creating a clean canvas for the rest of our treatments. It allows everything that follows to penetrate more deeply and work more effectively.

Chemical Peels

Next up in our sequence are chemical peels. These treatments use various acids to exfoliate the skin more deeply than our initial exfoliation step.

Chemical peels do come in different strengths and formulations, so speak to an expert about the benefits of each:

Glycolic acid peels for overall skin renewal
Salicylic acid peels for acne-prone skin
Lactic acid peels for sensitive skin
Our ‘Express Peel’ to brighten up the face and tighten pores

The type and strength of peel we choose depends on your skin type, concerns, and how much downtime you’re okay with.

Peels can help to even out skin tone, improve texture, and can even stimulate collagen production. Plus, by removing more dead skin cells and debris, they allow the treatments that follow to be even more effective.

We typically wait at least two weeks after a peel before moving on to more intensive treatments like laser therapy or microneedling.

BBL

Laster treatments typically come after our exfoliation and peeling steps because we want the laser energy to penetrate as deeply and effectively as possible.

When skin is damaged by things like sun exposure, acne, wrinkles, scars… BBL can help make it look better generally!

Laser treatments are incredibly effective, but they can also be quite intense. That’s why the experts suggest performing them before any injectable treatments. The heat from the laser can potentially break down or disperse dermal fillers, so we want to avoid that!

Microneedling

Microneedling is another fantastic treatment that we typically perform after laser treatments but before injectables. This procedure uses tiny needles to create controlled micro-injuries in the skin, stimulating collagen production and enhancing product absorption.

One of the reasons we love microneedling is its versatility. We can use it to address a variety of concerns, from fine lines and wrinkles to acne scars and uneven texture. Plus, by creating those tiny channels in the skin, it allows any serums or products we apply afterward to penetrate much more deeply.

At our med spa, we often combine microneedling with PRP for even better results. The growth factors in PRP can supercharge the skin’s healing process, leading to even more collagen production and skin rejuvenation.

Injectables

Here comes the fun stuff!

Botox/Dysport

First up in our injectable sequence are neurotoxins like Botox or Dysport. These treatments work by relaxing specific muscles to reduce the appearance of dynamic wrinkles (you know, those caused by repeated facial expressions).

We always do Botox before fillers for a couple of reasons:

Botox can slightly change the shape of your face by relaxing certain muscles and we want to see how these changes settle before adding volume with fillers.
The injection technique for Botox involves multiple small injections, which can cause some swelling. We want that swelling to go down before we assess where fillers are needed.

Dermal Fillers

Once our Botox has settled, we move on to dermal fillers. These injectable gel-like substances are used to add volume, smooth out static wrinkles (those present even when your face is at rest), and enhance facial contours.

At our Houston Med Spa, we offer a variety of fillers, including:

Hyaluronic acid fillers like Juvederm and Restylane for lips, cheeks, and fine lines
Calcium hydroxylapatite fillers like Radiesse for deeper wrinkles and facial contouring
Poly-L-lactic acid fillers like Sculptra for gradual, long-lasting volume enhancement

By doing fillers after Botox, we can more accurately assess where volume is needed and achieve a more balanced overall result.

Hydration and Maintenance

Last but certainly not least, we focus on hydrating and nourishing the skin. This step is crucial for maintaining the results of all our previous treatments and ensuring your skin looks its absolute best. At our med spa, we offer a lot of Hydrating facials! Here is our full list of Med Spa Services.

Remember, hydrated skin is happy skin! Proper hydration can help reduce the appearance of fine lines, improve skin texture, and give you that coveted “glow from within” look.

Consultation with Professionals

This guide provides a general framework, but it’s important to remember that everyone’s skin is unique. That’s why we always recommend a thorough consultation with a skincare professional before starting on any treatment plan.

Remember, the goal of all these treatments is to help you feel confident and beautiful in your own skin. By following the correct order and spacing, you’re setting yourself up for the best possible results.

If you’re in the Houston area, book a consultation with us at the Aesthetic Lab. 832.810.7210

September 4, 2024