Medical Facials

Reveal more youthful-looking skin.

Facials vary widely in their use of tools, which can range from an aesthetician’s hands to an array of medical devices. Techniques may leverage the power of lights, electrical currents, extractions, chemical peels, microdermabrasion, or microneedling. “Medical facials” usually include at least one of these latter steps, going beyond basic cleansing and care. The goal of such treatments is to address skin concerns while unveiling a fresher, smoother layer beneath the surface. Whether seeking a subtle refresh or deep restoration, medical facials offer a path to glowing and radiant skin.

Key Benefits of Medical Facials

Improve Your Skin’s Appearance and Health
Enhance your skin texture and tone, reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and achieve a more youthful-looking complexion.
Deeply Restore Your Skin
Go beyond the typical treatments offered at a day spa to address your specific skin concerns with powerful techniques and devices.
Boost Your Self-Image
Work with an experienced provider who can develop a customized plan that helps you walk through the world with confidence.

Less invasive medical facials, including topical treatments and manual techniques, can be used to complement more involved procedures like chemical peels and laser resurfacing. Laser resurfacing employs focused light energy to precisely remove skin layers for more dramatic results.

Medical facials can include a variety of techniques and devices. Often, two or more are combined to help your skin achieve its optimal complexion. These powerful facials can hydrate, cleanse deeply, and address specific issues such as acne or signs of aging. Here are some of the specialized treatments that a skilled practitioner may recommend:

Pore extraction involves the removal of debris, blackheads, or sebum from pores, instantly improving skin appearance and reducing visible pore size.
Chemical peels remove the top layer of skin, reducing fine lines and promoting skin renewal. Most medical facials employ light peels which are quite safe for most skin types. Deeper chemical peels can only be performed on certain skin types and require pre-treatment with a tailored skin care regimen to avoid complications such as hyperpigmentation and discolorations.
Microdermabrasion utilizes fine crystals or a diamond-tipped device to gently exfoliate the outer layer of skin, making it suitable for superficial fine lines and allowing for a quick recovery with minimal downtime.
Microneedling, which involves making tiny “micro-injuries” that trigger the body’s natural healing response and collagen production, is often combined with topical treatments such as the use of platelet-rich plasma (PRP), exosomes, or vitamin-rich serums. It can enhance the rejuvenation process by allowing deeper penetration of these substances.

Additionally, microneedling can be paired with radiofrequency (RF) therapy, allowing RF energy to be delivered through the needles in a way that further stimulates collagen production and tightens the skin. Energy-based devices such as Morpheus8™ & Sylfirm® have been shown to be safe and effective in delivering this treatment.

HydraFacial™ uses a gentler form of dermabrasion to exfoliate the skin as it introduces active ingredients that can treat a variety of skin concerns.

Seek out an experienced provider who can help determine which treatments make the most sense for you. Be sure to discuss realistic outcomes, benefits and risks.

Chemical peels are a cornerstone of cosmetic skin care, providing a way to regenerate and improve skin texture through controlled and customized depth-specific treatments. It’s crucial to work with a provider who can determine the right type for you, given your skin condition and goals. Generally, they can be categorized into superficial, medium, and deep peels.

Superficial peels are ideal for mild skin issues such as minor discolorations and acne. They gently exfoliate the epidermis with agents like lactic acid, salicylic acid, and Jessner’s solution, which are compatible with almost all skin types. These lighter peels enhance skin radiance and smoothness while requiring minimal downtime.
Medium-depth peels target more pronounced concerns like significant sun damage, fine lines and wrinkles, pigmentary changes, and superficial scars. They require one to two weeks for healing and necessitate careful sun protection post-treatment; this is especially true for those with darker skin tones, due to their heightened hyperpigmentation risks. Before a medium-depth peel, your skin should be prepped with an appropriate skincare regimen to optimize results and reduce the risk of complications.
Deep peels are reserved for severe skin conditions, including deep wrinkles and scars, offering profound rejuvenation but requiring extensive healing time and vigilant sun protection after the procedure. Potential complications, such as pigmentary changes, limit their suitability, particularly for olive-tone and darker skin types. Deep peels should only be performed by experts with extensive experience.

Before you go

Have a detailed consultation with your provider to determine which type of medical facial treatment will work best for you. Different skin types require tailored medical facials to address specific concerns, such as dryness, oiliness, or sensitivity. Your dermatologist will customize the facial treatment to suit your needs, ensuring optimal results and minimizing the risk of irritation or adverse reactions.

The Fitzpatrick skin type scale helps determine how your skin responds to medical facials, with special care needed for darker skin types (Fitzpatrick IV-VI) to prevent hyperpigmentation and scarring. For these skin types, your dermatologist may use gentler treatments and recommend specific aftercare to ensure safety and effectiveness.

Before your procedure, be diligent about sun protection; this is crucial because UV exposure can make your skin more sensitive and prone to damage during treatment. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30, wear protective clothing, and avoid direct sun exposure, especially during peak hours. These measures help maintain skin health and optimize the effectiveness of medical facials.

Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) can occur with more invasive procedures, as the skin’s natural healing process may produce excess melanin, leading to dark spots. To minimize the risk of PIH, follow the dermatologist’s aftercare instructions diligently and use recommended skin-lightening agents or sun protection.

During the procedure

Most medical facials can be performed as “lunchtime” procedures with little to no downtime. The treatments should not be painful. With deeper chemical peels you may be given topical numbing agents to minimize feelings of tingling or burning.

Medical Facial Aftercare

Post-procedure, it is crucial to follow the skincare regimen recommended by your practitioner, avoid direct sunlight and use appropriate sunscreen. Rest is not typically required, but your skin may peel or flake for up to a week. All chemical peels necessitate especially diligent sun protection post-treatment to mitigate risks.

Match With A Physician Find A Physician