How Often Should You Really Get a Facial, and What Is Actually Happening During One?

Updated August 2026

Facials get talked about so casually that it is easy to assume everyone already knows what they involve and how often to book one. In reality, most people have a fairly vague idea. Is it just a fancy cleanse? Is once a year enough, or should it be monthly? Does it actually change anything long term, or is it purely a relaxing hour that wears off by the following week?

These are fair questions, and the answers matter more than most people expect. At Surface + Soul Aesthetics in Westlake Village, California, facials are one of the most requested treatments we offer, and understanding what is actually happening during one makes it much easier to know how often you should be coming in.

What Does a Professional Facial Actually Do?

A facial is not simply a deeper version of your at-home skincare routine. It is a multi-step process designed to address several layers of skin health in a single session, most of which are difficult or impossible to replicate at home.

What Steps Are Typically Involved in a Facial?

Most professional facials include cleansing, exfoliation, extractions where needed, and a treatment step tailored to your specific skin, followed by hydration and protection. The exact combination depends on the type of facial and your individual concerns, which is why not every facial looks the same from client to client.

Why Can't At-Home Skincare Replace a Professional Facial?

At-home products are formulated to be safe for repeated daily use, which generally means they work more gently and gradually than professional-grade treatments. A facial uses tools, techniques, and formulations designed for in-office use, including extractions and resurfacing methods that are simply not accessible or advisable to perform on yourself at home.

Does a Facial Help With Clogged Pores?

Yes, significantly. Extractions performed during a facial clear congestion that daily cleansing often cannot fully address, which is one of the most immediate and visible benefits of a professional treatment. If clogged pores are a persistent issue for you, our clogged pores concern page has more background on why this happens.

What Types of Facials Does Surface + Soul Offer?

Not all facials are built for the same goal, and choosing the right one depends on what your skin actually needs.

What Is the Surface + Soul Signature Facial?

Our Surface + Soul Signature Facial is a customizable treatment designed to be adapted to your specific skin concerns at the time of your visit, making it a strong choice if you want a well-rounded treatment without committing to one narrow focus.

What Is an Express Dermaplane and Mask Treatment?

For clients short on time but still wanting visible results, our Express Dermaplane + Mask treatment combines dermaplaning, which gently removes dead skin and fine facial hair, with a soothing mask to smooth texture and boost radiance in a shorter session.

How Do Hydrafacials Fit Into the Facial Category?

Hydrafacials are technically their own category of facial, using a vortex-style device to cleanse, extract, and hydrate in one step. We offer both a Super Glow Hydrafacial focused on radiance and a Anti-Aging Hydrafacial that adds firmness-focused ingredients to the same process.

How Often Should You Actually Get a Facial?

This is the question we hear most often, and the honest answer depends on your skin type, your goals, and what specific concerns you are managing.

Is a Monthly Facial Necessary?

For many people, a facial roughly every four to six weeks aligns well with the skin's natural cell turnover cycle, which is part of why this interval is commonly recommended for maintenance. That said, it is not a strict rule, and some clients do well with less frequent visits depending on their skin and lifestyle.

Does Skin Type Affect How Often You Should Book?

Yes. Oilier or more congestion-prone skin often benefits from slightly more frequent visits to stay ahead of buildup, while drier or more sensitive skin may do better with a more spaced-out schedule that avoids over-treating the skin barrier.

Can You Get a Facial Too Often?

It is possible, particularly with more intensive resurfacing steps. Overdoing professional treatments without allowing skin to fully recover between sessions can lead to irritation or a compromised barrier rather than improved results, which is why a provider's guidance on frequency matters more than a generic rule of thumb.

What Skin Concerns Do Facials Typically Address?

Facials are versatile enough to support a wide range of concerns, but they tend to be especially effective for a few in particular.

Can a Facial Help With Dullness?

Very effectively. Removing built-up dead skin and delivering targeted hydration is one of the fastest ways to restore radiance to a tired-looking complexion. Our dullness concern page covers this connection in more depth.

Can a Facial Help With Dryness?

Yes, particularly hydration-focused options like a Hydrafacial, which infuses the skin with moisture after gently clearing away anything blocking absorption. This tends to provide more noticeable relief than layering additional products onto already compromised skin.

Is a Facial a Good Starting Point If You Are New to Professional Skincare?

Absolutely. Facials are typically one of the most approachable entry points into professional skincare, offering visible results with minimal to no downtime, which makes them a comfortable way to start working with a provider before exploring more targeted treatments.

How Do You Choose the Right Facial for Your Skin?

The best way to choose is not to guess based on a treatment name alone, but to talk through your specific skin concerns with a provider who can recommend the right fit. At Surface + Soul Aesthetics, every facial is approached with your particular skin in mind rather than a fixed, identical protocol for every client. You can browse the complete treatment menu on our services page, or reach out through our contact page to ask which option makes the most sense for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a typical facial appointment take? Most facials run between 30 and 60 minutes, depending on the specific treatment and whether extractions or additional steps are included.

Is there any downtime after a facial? Generally very little to none. Most clients leave with visibly brighter, smoother skin and can return to normal activities right away.

What is the difference between a Hydrafacial and a traditional facial? A Hydrafacial uses a specific vortex-style device to cleanse, extract, and hydrate in one continuous step, while a traditional facial like the Signature Facial is typically more customizable and manually performed based on your skin's needs that day.

Can facials help prevent future skin concerns, not just treat current ones? Yes, consistent facials support healthy cell turnover and hydration over time, which can help prevent buildup, dullness, and some early texture changes from becoming more pronounced.

Do I need to prepare my skin before a facial appointment? Generally, avoid new actives or excessive sun exposure in the days leading up to your appointment, though your provider can give you guidance specific to the treatment you choose.

Consider This Your Standing Skin Appointment

A great facial is not just an hour of relaxation, it is a genuine reset for your skin's health, and understanding what it actually does makes it much easier to build a realistic routine around it. Whether you are brand new to professional skincare or simply due for your next visit, the right facial can make a noticeable difference. At Surface + Soul Aesthetics in Westlake Village, California, finding that right fit starts with a conversation about your skin. 

Visit our homepage to learn more, or explore the Surface + Soul Aesthetics services page to book your next facial.