How to prepare for a skin treatment: a simple checklist
TL;DR
Knowing how to prepare for a skin treatment helps you get better results and avoid irritation. Book a consultation first, tell us about medication and skin conditions, pause retinol and exfoliating acids for a few days beforehand, avoid tanning and hair removal on the area, and arrive with clean skin. We'll give you exact timings for your treatment.
Knowing how to prepare for a skin treatment makes a real difference, especially if it's your first peel, microneedling session or advanced facial. A little preparation reduces the chance of irritation, helps the treatment work evenly and makes your recovery smoother.
This guide covers what to tell us beforehand, which products to pause, what to avoid in the days before, what to expect on the day and how to plan around events. Gina has over 10 years' experience in the beauty industry and specialises in skincare, and these are the steps we talk every new client through at our Sutton Coldfield salon.
Quick facts
- First step
- a free skin consultation to choose the right treatment
- Tell us about
- medication, skin conditions, pregnancy, cold sores and recent treatments
- Pause
- retinol, exfoliating acids and scrubs for a few days beforehand
- Avoid
- sunbathing, sunbeds, self-tan and waxing or threading on the area
- On the day
- arrive with clean skin and no heavy makeup if you can
- Events
- leave at least one to two weeks after resurfacing treatments
- Aftercare
- SPF 30 or higher every day afterwards
How to prepare for a skin treatment: start with a consultation
The best way to prepare for a skin treatment is to start with a consultation. It lets us look at your skin, talk through your goals, check you're suitable and recommend the right treatment, whether that's a chemical peel, microneedling, dermaplaning or a SKINSTORM facial. Our skin consultation is free and there's no obligation to book.
It's also your chance to ask about downtime, cost and how many sessions you might need, so there are no surprises later.
What should you tell us before treatment?
Tell us about any medication you take, any skin conditions and anything that might affect how your skin heals. Some medicines and conditions mean a treatment needs to be adjusted or delayed, so honesty here keeps you safe.
- Prescription skincare, such as tretinoin, or recent isotretinoin (Roaccutane).
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding.
- A history of cold sores, as some treatments can trigger a flare.
- Skin conditions such as rosacea, eczema, psoriasis or melasma.
- Blood thinners or a bleeding disorder, especially before microneedling.
- Recent cosmetic treatments, including injectables or laser.
Gina's tip: Write down everything you put on your skin and any medication you take, and bring the list with you. It saves guesswork and helps us choose the safest treatment for you.
Which products should you stop before a treatment?
Pause retinol, retinoids, exfoliating acids such as AHAs and BHAs, and scrubs for a few days before a peel, microneedling or dermaplaning. These products already thin the outer layer of skin, so using them right before treatment can make your skin more reactive. We'll tell you exactly how long to pause them for your specific treatment.
Keep the rest of your routine simple: a gentle cleanser, a good moisturiser and SPF. Avoid trying new products in the week before, so if your skin reacts, we know why.
What should you avoid in the days before?
Avoid sunbathing, sunbeds and self-tan, and don't wax, thread or use hair removal cream on the treatment area for a few days beforehand. Tanned or freshly waxed skin is more sensitive and more likely to react, and a tan can affect how evenly a peel works.
The American Academy of Dermatology's guidance on preparing for a chemical peel covers similar steps, including telling your practitioner about medicines and past cold sores.
What should you expect on the day?
Arrive with clean skin if you can, without heavy makeup. We'll cleanse and prep your skin before starting, talk you through what you'll feel, and make sure you're comfortable. Most of our skin treatments take around 30 minutes, and a SKINSTORM facial takes around 60 to 75 minutes.
Before you leave, we'll explain your aftercare. You can read our guides to chemical peel aftercare, microneedling aftercare and dermaplaning aftercare in advance if you'd like to plan ahead.
How should you plan around events?
If you have a wedding, holiday or big event coming up, leave at least one to two weeks after a peel or microneedling, so any redness or flaking has settled. Dermaplaning has no downtime, so it can be booked closer to the day for an instant glow.
Plan to wear SPF 30 or higher every day after any treatment. The NHS sun safety advice is a helpful guide to choosing a sunscreen. If you're unsure about anything, the NHS also has useful advice on what to check before any cosmetic procedure.
About the author
Gina is the owner of Gina Rose Beauty in Sutton Coldfield and has over 10 years' experience in the beauty industry. She specialises in advanced skincare and runs a fully accredited training academy for aspiring beauty professionals. Meet Gina and the team. Last reviewed: October 2026.
Book a free skin consultation in Sutton Coldfield
Booking your first treatment? Start with a free, no-obligation consultation and we'll explain how to prepare for a skin treatment that's right for you. Book your free skin consultation on Fresha
You can also read more about what happens at a skin consultation, or explore all our skincare treatments.
Frequently asked questions
How do I prepare for a skin treatment?
Here's how to prepare for a skin treatment: book a consultation, tell us about medication and skin conditions, pause retinol and acids for a few days, avoid tanning and waxing on the area, and arrive with clean skin.
Should I stop retinol before a skin treatment?
Yes. Knowing how to prepare for a skin treatment includes pausing retinol, exfoliating acids and scrubs for a few days beforehand. We'll tell you the exact timing for your treatment.
Can I wear makeup to my appointment?
It's best to arrive with clean skin or light makeup. We'll cleanse your skin before starting either way.
Can I wax before a chemical peel?
Avoid waxing, threading or hair removal cream on the treatment area for a few days before a peel, as it makes skin more sensitive.
Can I have a skin treatment if I have a tan?
It's best to wait until a tan has faded, as tanned skin is more reactive and can affect how evenly a peel works.
How long before an event should I book?
Leave at least one to two weeks after a peel or microneedling. Dermaplaning can be booked closer to the day.
Is the skin consultation free?
Yes. Our skin consultation is free and there's no obligation to book a treatment.