For anyone booking their first facial, the big question is what happens once you walk through the door. What will be put on your face, how hot is the steam, do extractions hurt, will you leave with a red face? This guide walks through a 60-minute session from the welcome to the mirror, bringing together what you will feel at each step, what to tell your therapist and how to look after your skin afterwards. You will find the options and lengths on our facials page.
What is a spa facial, and how is it different from a medical treatment?
A spa facial is a cosmetic treatment designed to cleanse, hydrate and refresh the skin. Cleveland Clinic's article on facials describes a standard facial as cleansing, exfoliation, a mask chosen for your skin type, moisturiser and a light face and neck massage, with steam, blackhead and whitehead extraction and serums sometimes added.
Laser, fillers, injectables and medium or deep chemical peels belong to a different field. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) recommends seeing a dermatologist or dermatologic surgeon for a chemical peel, and notes that medium and deep peels require recovery time. These are procedures for doctors. A spa facial stays on the other side of that line: it aims to care for your skin, not to treat it. If you have acne, eczema, rosacea, an unexpected mark or a change in a mole, the right first stop is a dermatologist.
Step by step: what happens in a 60-minute facial?
Every spa and every beauty therapist has their own order; the flow below is the general outline of a classic facial. Some steps may be shortened for your skin, and some may be left out entirely.
1. Welcome and skin consultation
The session begins with a short conversation. Your therapist asks how your skin feels, which products you use, whether you have any allergies and whether you have spent time in the sun recently. These are the most important five minutes of the facial. If you use retinol, prescription retinoid creams, benzoyl peroxide or products containing acids, be sure to say so: the AAD points out that these products can make the skin more sensitive and prone to peeling. Then you lie down on the treatment bed; your hair is held back with a band and you are covered with a sheet or blanket.
2. Make-up removal and cleansing
First, eye and lip make-up is removed with a separate cleanser, then the whole face is cleansed with a product suited to your skin type. Your therapist usually does this with the fingertips, in small circular movements, and wipes it away with lukewarm water or damp cotton pads. This matches the AAD's advice on washing your face: a gentle, non-abrasive, alcohol-free cleanser, lukewarm water, and fingertips rather than scrubbing.
3. Exfoliation
Once your skin is clean, an exfoliant is applied. This may be a fine-grained scrub, or a product with a gentle enzyme or acid. The AAD recommends exfoliating gently, in small circular motions for about 30 seconds, then rinsing with lukewarm water; it stresses not to exfoliate skin that is sunburned or has an open wound. You may feel a slight tingle at this stage; if it stings or burns, say so straight away.
4. Steam
In many facials, warm steam is directed at your face for a few minutes. Steam warms the skin, prepares a soft base for the next steps and is usually a quiet, restful moment of the session. If your face flushes easily in the heat or you have rosacea, say so at the start: the UK's NHS advises people with rosacea to limit time in hot, humid environments where possible. Your therapist can then shorten the steam or skip it altogether.
5. Extractions (not part of every facial)
Clearing blackheads and whiteheads is called extraction. Cleveland Clinic lists it among the optional parts of a facial. It is not done in every session: your therapist looks at your skin and decides whether it is needed, and you are always free to say you would rather skip it. If it is done, it is brief; you may feel a little pressure around the nose and chin.
6. Face, neck and décolleté massage
This is usually the slowest, calmest part. Using oil or cream, your therapist gives a slow, rhythmic massage to the face, neck and décolleté; some also include the shoulders and scalp. This step is all about relaxation. Whether you want the pressure light or a little firmer is up to you.
7. Mask
A mask chosen for your skin type is spread over your face and left on for a while. It may be creamy, clay-based, a gel, or a peel-off mask that dries and comes away in one piece. While it is on, you close your eyes and rest; these quiet minutes are among the calmest of the session.
8. Toner, serum, moisturiser and sunscreen
Once the mask is removed, toner, serum and moisturiser are applied. For a daytime facial, the last step is sunscreen. The AAD recommends a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher. After the facial your skin feels clean and hydrated; lying still for a few minutes before you get up lets you finish the session without rushing.
How long does a facial take?
A classic spa facial is usually planned for about an hour; shorter facials skip some steps or focus on the mask. On top of the session itself, allow a few minutes for the welcome and changing. These are the facials on the Beatus menu and their lengths:
| Facial | Length | Product or focus stated on the menu |
|---|---|---|
| Classic Spa Facial | 60 min | Not stated; ask your beauty therapist |
| Tailored Facial | 60 min | Not stated; ask your beauty therapist |
| Anti-Ageing Facial | 60 min | With collagen and seaweed-based products |
| Selvert Gold Facial | 60 min | Selvert gold range |
| Express Facial | 40 min | Delicattesen range |
| Selvert Face Mask | 25 min | Peel-off mask |
Our skin and body treatments menu also includes treatments of 45 to 60 minutes. The facials differ mainly in their products and focus; when you book, describe your skin and what you are hoping for, and ask which one suits you.
Which facial should I choose?
The right choice depends on how your skin is that day, how much time you have and why you are coming. These four situations make the decision easier.
If it is your first facial
A 60-minute classic facial, where you go through every step, is the most predictable start. It shows you how your skin responds to the products and how you feel about the steam and the massage; that experience will guide your next choice.
If your skin feels dry and tight
In winter, after a flight or after a few nights in an air-conditioned hotel room, skin often feels tight. A hydration-focused facial, or one where products are chosen for your skin, is a good option. Do not hesitate to ask for a gentle exfoliation; the AAD recommends milder methods for dry and sensitive skin.
If you are short on time
If you are staying at the hotel and do not have a full hour between meetings or flights, the 40-minute Express Facial or the 25-minute Selvert Face Mask makes a short break. If you would like to combine it with a hammam and massage, the Jet Lag Package (120 min) brings together 40 minutes of hammam, 40 minutes of classic massage and a short facial.
Before a special occasion
Do not leave your facial to the last day before a wedding, a graduation or an important meeting. In case your skin reacts to a new product or to exfoliation, booking a few days ahead is the more relaxed approach. It is also a good rule not to try a facial you have never had before right before a big day.
How often should you get a facial?
There is no single right interval; it depends on your skin type, the season and your routine at home. In Cleveland Clinic's article, aesthetician Amanda Kanaan says that a facial every four to six weeks is ideal because it lines up with the skin's natural renewal cycle of about 30 days. Think of this as a general guide rather than a rule; going more often at the change of seasons or before special occasions, and less often in busy periods, is perfectly normal.
More often is not always better. The AAD points out that over-exfoliating can leave skin red and irritated. If you exfoliate regularly at home or use acid-based products, take that into account when deciding how often to book a spa facial, and tell your therapist about your routine at home.
At what age can you start having facials?
There is no set age to start; what matters is need and interest, not age. In your twenties you might prefer a facial focused on cleansing and hydration, and later on choose different products. For under-18s, ask the location about its policy before booking. For teenagers with acne or other skin concerns, the first stop is a dermatologist.
Facials for men
Facials for men follow the same steps; the products and the rhythm of the massage are adjusted to the skin. A question men often ask is when to shave. Because shaving can irritate the skin a little, it is more comfortable to shave the day before rather than in a rush the same morning, or to ask your therapist and plan around their advice. When you do shave, follow the AAD's advice: wet your skin and hair to soften them, use a shaving cream or gel, and shave in the direction the hair grows.
For guests with a beard, the facial covers the open areas of the face up to the beard line; if you would rather not have products in your beard, say so at the start. For men who train and sweat a lot, the AAD recommends washing your face after sweating; putting off a hard workout on the day of your facial also gives your skin time to rest.
What to do before and after a facial
Before your facial
- Mention your products. If you use retinol, a prescription retinoid, benzoyl peroxide or acid-based products, tell your therapist. If needed, ask your doctor or therapist whether to pause them for a few days before the facial.
- Postpone if you are sunburned. As the AAD warns, skin that is sunburned or has an open wound should not be exfoliated.
- You can arrive wearing make-up. The facial begins with make-up removal, but taking off heavy eye make-up at home saves a few minutes of your session.
- Note your allergies. If you react to a particular scent or ingredient, mention it when you book.
- Mention pregnancy or any health condition. Some products and steps can be changed; if you are unsure, check with your doctor first.
After your facial
- Skip make-up for a few hours. Leaving your skin product-free for a while after the facial feels more comfortable.
- You can shower, with lukewarm water. There is no problem with showering on the same day; just protect your face from very hot water and hard rubbing. As the AAD advises, wash your face with lukewarm water and your fingertips, then pat it dry with a soft towel.
- Protect your skin from the sun. If you are going outside, use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher.
- No strong exfoliation on the same day. Pausing exfoliants and acid-based products at home for a day or two is the easiest way not to overwork your skin.
- A little pinkness is normal. Cleveland Clinic's article also notes that skin may look slightly pink after a facial, due to the massage and stimulating ingredients, and that this fades quickly during the day. If redness, burning or itching continues, see a doctor.
Can you have a facial on the same day as a hammam or massage?
Yes; you just need to get the order right. As a general rule, the heat (hammam, sauna, steam room) comes first and the facial afterwards. The reason is simple: after the products and mask of a facial, you do not want to expose your skin to intense heat and sweating again. If your hammam ritual includes a kese scrub on the face, tell your therapist when you plan a facial with exfoliation on the same day; the exfoliation step can be made gentler or skipped.
We explain the differences between the sauna, steam room and hammam, and the order in which to use them, in sauna vs steam room vs hammam. If you are getting ready for a hammam ritual, our guide to what to bring to a Turkish bath will help too. And if you are visiting a hotel spa for the first time, you will find everything from the changing room to the relaxation area in our first-time hotel spa guide.
Facials at Beatus
The Beatus menu has six facials, some of them prepared with products from the Selvert and Delicattesen ranges. When you book, ask the location which facials it offers and when. You can see all our Istanbul locations on our spas in Istanbul page; if you are looking for an option in the city centre, our Ramada Plaza location in Osmanbey is one of our locations that offers facials. For tips on preparing your skin for the change of seasons, see our article on preparing your skin for winter.
Practical tips
- Arrive 10 minutes early. That leaves time to change, tie your hair back and have a glass of water.
- You do not have to talk. If you would like to stay quiet during the session, just say so at the start.
- Mention any discomfort straight away. If the steam is too hot, a product stings or the massage pressure is not right for you, do not wait.
- Describe your routine at home. Your therapist can then suggest how to support your skin after the facial.
- Put your facial at the end of the day. If you can, avoid plans that need make-up after your facial and give your skin time to rest.
