How Often Should You Get a Facial in Your 20s?

October 4, 2024
Reading Time: 8 mins
a young woman in her 20's with glowing facial skin. Facial treatment at Bodytonic Medspa

Navigating your skincare routine in your 20s can be confusing. One minute you’re dealing with the last remnants of teenage breakouts, and the next you’re noticing the first signs of aging. 

It’s a decade full of changes, and knowing what your skin needs – and when it needs it – can be overwhelming. 

One of the best ways to keep your skin looking its best is by incorporating regular facials into your routine. But how often should you get a facial in your 20s, and which treatments are the best fit? 

We’ll walk you through the basic things to bear in mind about skincare in your 20s, and the best facials and other treatments that will keep you looking youthful and radiant well into your later years.

Understanding your skin in your 20s

Your 20s are a time of transition for your skin.

In your early 20s, you might still be battling regular breakouts or acne, and generally dealing with the aftermath of teenage skin troubles. Hormonal fluctuations can keep those breakouts coming, and if you have oily skin, large pores and blackheads may still be a concern. 

But as you move into your late 20s, you’ll start to notice some new issues creeping in, like fine lines around your eyes, a slightly duller complexion, and even some early signs of sun damage if you haven’t been diligent about sunscreen.

This makes your 20s one of the most important decades to start paying your skin more attention: Develop a solid skincare routine by your late 20s, and you’ll reap those rewards for many years to come. 

So what happens to our skin in our 20s? 

As we get older, our skin’s natural regeneration cycle starts to lengthen. At age 18, our skin renews itself approximately every 14-21 days, but by our 20s and 30s this extends to about 28 days, slowing further to around 45-60 days in our 40s and 50s, and 60-90 days once we hit 60+. 

This slower cell renewal process means our body’s natural production of collagen and elastin – the proteins that keep our skin firm, volumized, and supple – begins to slow down, which can lead to reduced skin elasticity (i.e. firmness) and the early formation of fine lines and wrinkles. Dead skin cells also linger on the surface longer, which can make your skin look dull and lead to clogged pores.

While this is all natural and inevitable, our 20s – when we first start to notice these changes kicking in – is the best time to start taking action, both in terms of preventative care, like hydration and sun protection, as well as targeted treatments to support extra collagen production, prevent the formation of deeper lines and wrinkles, and generally maintain a healthy, glowing complexion. Speak to a skincare expert.

How often should you get a facial in your 20s?

The general recommendation for facials is about every 4-6 weeks, aligning with your skin’s natural renewal process. This schedule helps keep your complexion clear and fresh, while also addressing any specific concerns you might have, whether it’s the remnants of acne or the first signs of aging.

However, how often you should get a facial also depends on your skin type and concerns:

  • For acne-prone skin: You may benefit from facials every 3-4 weeks, especially during periods of active breakouts. This frequency helps keep pores clear and reduces inflammation.
  • For preventative anti-aging: Starting an anti-aging skincare regimen in your late 20s can help slow down the development of fine lines and wrinkles. Facials every 4-6 weeks, with a focus on hydration and collagen stimulation, are ideal.
  • For sensitive skin: If your skin tends to react easily, aim for gentler facials every 6-8 weeks to avoid any potential irritation while still benefiting from professional care.

Of course, if you can’t or don’t want to get facials this regularly, that’s not a problem – a facial, no matter how infrequent, will always benefit your skin. But as with all things skincare, consistency and regularity will always reap the best results. 

Facial treatments offered at BodyTonic

At BodyTonic Med Spa in Cleveland, we offer a range of facials and skincare treatments tailored to different needs. 

Most of our facials and treatments are suited to people of all ages, with customizations that will take specific skin concerns, and age, into account. 

Here’s a closer look at what each treatment does and how often we recommend getting them done in an “ideal world.” 

HydraFacial

The HydraFacial is a popular choice for all ages, but it’s especially great for people in their 20s. It’s a multi-step treatment that cleanses, exfoliates, hydrates, infuses, and protects the skin using a specialized device. This facial is perfect for keeping your skin clear and glowing, with benefits that include deep cleansing, exfoliation, and hydration.

How often: Every 4-6 weeks. This is a great facial to get in your 20s if you want to keep your skin looking its best without any downtime.

Glo2Facial

The Glo2Facial, also known as the Geneo facial, is a type of oxygen facial that combines exfoliation, infusion, and oxygenation. It’s a fantastic choice if your skin is looking a little dull or uneven. The treatment helps increase oxygen levels in your skin, which can improve circulation and give you a fresh, healthy glow.

How often: Every 4 weeks. This facial is perfect if you’re looking to boost your skin’s radiance regularly and prevent signs of aging. 

Fire & Ice Facial

The iS Clinical Fire & Ice Facial is an intensive facial that alternates between a warming mask to exfoliate and a cooling mask to soothe and hydrate. It helps prevent signs of aging and keeps your skin smooth, bright, blemish-free, and brings a noticeable glow to your complexion. 

How often: Every 4-6 weeks. This facial is excellent for smoothing skin texture and giving your complexion a noticeable glow, making it ideal before a special event or as a regular part of your skincare routine.

Dermaplaning

It isn’t a facial in the traditional sense, but Dermaplaning combines amazingly with lots of other facials, and is a treatment that is highly beneficial to do in your 20s. It involves using a surgical scalpel to gently scrape off dead skin cells and peach fuzz, essentially giving a deep exfoliation and leaving your skin incredibly smooth and allowing for better absorption of skincare products.

How often: Every 4-6 weeks, or as needed when your skin feels rough or congested. It’s a quick, effective way to keep your skin looking polished and fresh.

Chemical peels

Chemical peels can help with a variety of skin concerns, from acne to pigmentation and texture issues. They work by removing the top layer of damaged skin, promoting new cell growth and revealing a smoother, clearer complexion underneath. In your 20s you’ll generally only need lighter peels, but your skin will already be showing signs of damage, and treating it now helps prevent that from building up. 

How often: Light peels can be done every 4-6 weeks, while stronger peels should be spaced out every few months. Your esthetician will guide you on what’s best for your skin.

LED light therapy

LED light therapy uses different wavelengths of light to address issues like acne and aging. Blue light helps kill acne-causing bacteria, while red light reduces inflammation and stimulates collagen production. It’s a super gentle treatment that results in healthier, calmer, more radiant skin, and combines brilliantly with most other treatments. This is a great one to start doing regularly from your 20s onwards. 

How often: You can do LED therapy as often as once a week, or add it to your regular facials for enhanced results.

Microneedling

Microneedling uses tiny needles to create micro-injuries in the skin, which stimulates your body’s natural healing process and boosts collagen production. It’s excellent for reducing the appearance of acne scars, boosting collagen production, and improving skin texture. At BodyTonic we use the SkinPen for standard microneedling, and VirtueRF for more advanced radio-frequency microneedling

How often: Every 4-6 weeks for a series of treatments, then maintenance sessions as needed. It’s an effective way to rejuvenate your skin and tackle specific concerns.

Laser treatments: Moxi, BBL Hero, CoolPeel CO2

These advanced laser skin resurfacing treatments target various skin concerns like pigmentation, redness, and texture issues and are a great option for anyone looking to prevent (or reverse!) signs of aging.  

  • Moxi: The ideal laser facial to get in your 20s, it’s known for its “prejuvenation” – addressing and preventing early signs of sun damage and maintaining a healthy and youthful glow. Recommended every 4-6 weeks for optimal results.
  • BBL Hero: Targets pigmentation, loss of firmness, wrinkles, and more. Ideal for uneven skin tone and clarity. Typically done every 4-8 weeks.
  • CoolPeel CO2: Provides deep skin resurfacing with minimal downtime. Best for fine lines, wrinkles, and acne scars. Recommended every 4-6 weeks based on your skin’s response.

Skincare routine for late 20s

In addition to in-office treatments, your at-home skincare routine is a vital part of looking after your skin. 

By your late 20s, your skincare routine should include a mix of products that target your current or specific skin concerns (e.g. breakouts, oily skin, etc), and the early signs of aging. 

If at all possible, opt for medical-grade skincare ranges such as SkinBetter Science, Neocutis, or iS Clinical. They’re more expensive than over-the-counter products, but they are far and above the best when it comes to truly caring for and protecting your skin. 

And remember that keeping your skin healthy isn’t only about the products you use – it’s also about your overall lifestyle. 

Here’s a simple yet effective routine and other tips to keep in mind:

  • Follow a simple but thorough skincare routine: Cleanse morning and night, exfoliate regularly, treat your specific concerns, moisturize daily, and always use SPF.
  • Adapt your skincare routines by season: They shouldn’t need to change drastically, but having a winter skincare routine and summer skincare routine is usually beneficial. 
  • Stay consistent: Always stick to your skincare routine, even on busy days.
  • Never sleep with make-up on: It’s a fast track to breakouts and enlarged pores.
  • Hydrate: Drink plenty of water and use hydrating products to keep your skin plump.
  • Protect your skin: Always wear high-SPF sunscreen, even on cloudy days or when indoors.
  • Use anti-aging products and ingredients: The younger you start, the better the impact. Vitamin C or other antioxidants are a good starting point, while ingredients such as retinol, glycolic acid, and hyaluronic acid are powerhouses when it comes to slowing down the aging process. 
  • Get regular facials: This is the best way to deeply protect and repair your skin from within. 
  • Eat well: A balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats can make a big difference in your skin’s health.
  • Get plenty of sleep: Beauty sleep is a very real thing
  • Get professional advice: Whether for specific skin concerns or general advice, professionals will be able to advise you on how best to care for your skin, and at med spas like BodyTonic you’ll get lots of personalized advice all as part of your free consultation. Take advantage! 

Start getting regular facials in your 20s at BodyTonic Cleveland

Figuring out your skincare routine in your 20s can be a challenge, but with the right combination of professional treatments, at-home care, and expert advice, you can keep your skin looking its best – not just throughout your 20s, but long into your future. 

There’s no fixed rule on how often you should get a facial in your 20s, but whether you’re dealing with acne or other breakouts, want to start addressing and preventing the early signs of aging, or just want to maintain a healthy glow, regular facials and a consistent skincare routine are key. So, if you’re ready to take your skincare game to the next level, contact BodyTonic Med Spa today to schedule your completely free, no-obligation consultation, and find out the best treatments and skincare regime to see you through your 20s and beyond!

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