Four kinds of skin treatment, in plain terms
When a med spa lists skin treatments, it usually means some mix of the following. Names and menus differ from one provider to the next.
- Facials. A hands-on service built around cleansing, exfoliating and masks. Some add steam or extraction.
- Chemical peels. An acid-based solution applied and then removed. Peels come in several strengths.
- Microneedling. A pen-like device with fine needles passed over the skin, sometimes with a serum.
- Light-based treatments. Devices such as intense pulsed light or LED panels that deliver light to the skin.
A licensed provider looks at your skin and history before suggesting any of them.
Medicines, pregnancy and recent sun
Three topics come up in almost every skin treatment consultation.
Medicines. Some medicines make skin more sensitive, including acne medicine taken by mouth, vitamin A creams and some antibiotics. Bring a list, including supplements.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding. Some peels and products are usually avoided during pregnancy. Say so if you are pregnant, trying, or breastfeeding.
Sun. A recent tan, sunburn or self-tanner can change what a provider is willing to do that day, especially with peels and light-based devices.
A licensed provider weighs these together. None of this is a reason to stay away from a consultation. It helps the provider decide what fits.
Write it down before you go
Consultations can move quickly, and it is easy to forget a question once you are in the chair. Writing a few notes beforehand helps.
Start with what you want to ask about: a spot, a texture, a tone, a treatment you read about. Then add your health basics: conditions, medicines, allergies, pregnancy or breastfeeding. Finish with your questions, such as how many visits people usually have and what aftercare involves.
When you send a consultation request on this site, a short version of the first part is enough. Keep the rest for the consultation itself.
Questions about skin treatments
Which skin treatment is right for me?
That is a question for a licensed provider at a consultation. They look at your skin type and tone, your health history, your medicines and what you want to ask about, then say what is suitable, if anything. You can send a consultation request without choosing a treatment first.
Do my medicines matter?
Yes. Some medicines make skin more sensitive, including acne medicine taken by mouth, vitamin A creams and some antibiotics. Bring a full list, including supplements, to your consultation. Do not stop a prescribed medicine to prepare for a treatment unless the person who prescribed it agrees.
How many visits do skin treatments take?
It depends on the treatment, your skin and what you want to ask about. Some people have a single facial. Peels, microneedling and light-based treatments are often planned as a series. A licensed provider can tell you what is typical for a given treatment, without promising a set number.
Curious about skin, laser, injectable or body treatments? Start with a consultation request.
Start a requestMore consultation topics
Ask about injectables
Questions about wrinkle relaxers or fillers? Request a consultation with a licensed provider in or near Phoenix.
Ask about laser
Skin tone, hair color and the area all matter. A licensed provider decides what is suitable at a consultation.
Body treatment consults
A provider can explain how a non-surgical body treatment works. A licensed provider decides what is suitable for you.