A facial menu is a strange thing to shop from. The names describe the method, not the outcome, so unless you already know what microdermabrasion does, you are picking based on which word sounds most appealing.
This is the translation. What each treatment actually does, who tends to book it, and how to choose when you are not sure.
Choosing by concern
Microdermabrasion for rough texture and dullness. Dermaplaning for smoothness and fine facial hair. Hydrating facial for tightness and flaking. LED facial for tone and clarity. Retinol facial for texture in skin already using retinol. Instant glow facial before an event. Lymphatic facial for puffiness and congestion. Back and foot treatments for skin outside the face. A skin care consultation is the starting point when you are unsure.
Start Here if You Have No Idea
Book a skin care consultation. It exists for exactly this situation. Your esthetician looks at your skin as it is today, asks what bothers you, and tells you where to start. No guessing from a list of names.
If you would rather just book a treatment and get on with it, the shortcut is to pick based on the single thing that bothers you most. That is what the rest of this is organised around.
If Your Skin Feels Rough or Looks Dull
Microdermabrasion. Resurfacing work that lifts away built up dead skin. This is the one people book when their skin feels textured to the touch, looks flat in photos, or has stopped responding to their usual products. Skin generally looks brighter and feels noticeably smoother afterward.
Dermaplaning. Removes surface debris along with the fine facial hair most people call peach fuzz. The immediate difference is how smooth skin feels and how much better makeup sits. A common pick before a wedding, a shoot, or an event, and often booked as a standalone treatment.
Both suit stretches of the year with lower sun exposure particularly well, since skin has more room to recover between appointments. Our seasonal skincare guide covers how that shifts through the year.
If Your Skin Feels Tight, Flaky, or Reactive
Hydrating facial. Straightforward and effective. Focused entirely on getting moisture back into skin that has none, and calming things down. This is the treatment for winter tightness, flaking around the nose and mouth, or that stinging feeling when a product that never bothered you suddenly does.
Worth knowing: skin that feels oily and tight at the same time is usually dehydrated rather than oily. A hydrating treatment is often the right answer even when your skin looks shiny.
If You Want Tone and Clarity
LED facial. A calm, comfortable treatment with no discomfort and nothing to recover from. Often chosen to support clarity and evenness of tone, and it pairs well alongside other work rather than competing with it.
Retinol facial. A professional strength approach to texture and tone, better suited to skin that already tolerates retinol at home. If you have never used it, mention that when you book, since your esthetician will want to ease into it rather than start here.
If You Want to Look Your Best on a Specific Day
Instant glow facial. Built for the day before something. Immediate radiance, no downtime, nothing experimental. Book it three to five days ahead of an event if you have the option, or the day before if you do not. For a wedding, our bridal timeline maps out the months before.
Whatever you choose, do not book a treatment you have never had before in the final week ahead of something important. First appointments are for finding out how your skin responds, and you want that information well in advance.
If Your Skin Looks Puffy or Congested
Lymphatic facial. Gentle, drainage focused work. Frequently booked when skin looks puffy, feels heavy, or seems congested rather than actively broken out. Very low intensity, which makes it a comfortable option if you are wary of anything strong.
If the Problem Is Not Your Face
Back treatment. The back and shoulders get congested for the same reasons the face does, and they are the easiest place to ignore. This is the appointment people book before wedding season, before a holiday, or after a warm stretch, and consistently the one they wish they had booked sooner.
Foot treatment. Not a pedicure. Focused on the condition of the skin itself, particularly through the months when your feet are in boots and nobody is looking at them.
If You Want to Make an Afternoon of It
Facial and massage packages combine treatment with actual rest. Two appointments, one visit, and no second trip to organise. A common choice for birthdays, milestones, or anyone booking for two.
The Short Version
| What bothers you | Where to start |
|---|---|
| Rough texture, dullness | Microdermabrasion |
| Peach fuzz, makeup not sitting well | Dermaplaning |
| Tightness, flaking, sensitivity | Hydrating facial |
| Uneven tone, clarity | LED facial |
| Texture and tone, already using retinol | Retinol facial |
| An event in the next few days | Instant glow facial |
| Puffiness, congestion | Lymphatic facial |
| Back and shoulders | Back treatment |
| Dry, neglected feet | Foot treatment |
| No idea | Skin care consultation |
Two Things That Matter More Than Which One You Pick
Consistency beats intensity. A gentle treatment every four to six weeks does more than one aggressive appointment twice a year. Skin renews itself roughly every 28 days, and treatments timed to that cycle build on each other, which is the whole idea behind picking a booking rhythm.
Tell your esthetician everything. Medications, recent treatments, what you use at home, what reacted badly last time, what you are actually hoping for. Every treatment is adjusted to the skin in front of us, and the intake form is what makes that possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between microdermabrasion and dermaplaning?
Microdermabrasion resurfaces the skin to address built up dead cells and rough texture. Dermaplaning removes surface debris along with fine facial hair, leaving skin smoother and makeup sitting better. Both leave skin feeling smooth, but they are addressing different things.
Which facial is best for dry skin?
A hydrating facial is usually the starting point, focused on restoring moisture and calming reactivity. Dry and sensitive skin also tends to do better with slightly longer gaps between appointments.
Does peach fuzz grow back thicker after dermaplaning?
No. Hair that has been cut at the surface can feel blunter as it returns, which is where the impression comes from, but the hair itself does not change in thickness or colour.
Which facial should I book before a wedding or event?
An instant glow facial three to five days ahead is a reliable choice. Avoid booking any treatment for the first time in the week before something important.
How often should I get a facial?
Every four to six weeks for most skin types, which aligns with the skin's roughly 28 day renewal cycle. Oily or congested skin may do better on a shorter interval, while dry or sensitive skin often prefers a longer one.
What if I choose the wrong one?
It is difficult to go badly wrong, and your esthetician will adjust once she sees your skin. If a different treatment would suit you better, she will say so.
Let Someone Else Decode the Menu
You do not need to work it out on your own. Book a consultation and let someone who does this daily tell you where to start.