Overview
Depending on the type of facial you have during your next spa visit, your sensitive skin may become red. Chemical peels and microdermabrasion are especially harsh on the skin, notes the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, sometimes leaving it red, chapped and peeling for days following. If you’ve just had a facial and your skin is red, look for remedies from around your home, in your pantry and in your medicine cabinet to help reduce redness and return your skin to its natural balance.
Step 1
Avoid direct sunlight until you know how the facial has affected your skin. Some procedures and their ingredients, such as chemical peels, can leave your skin especially sensitive to sun damage and redness. Until you know how the sun will affect you, wear a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses and a thick layer of sunscreen on your face to keep redness in check. Talk to your dermatologist to find out how long your sun sensitivity will last.
Step 2
Apply a cold compress to help reduce swelling and calm flushed skin. An especially calming cold compress involves placing chamomile or peppermint herbal tea bags in a glass of cool water. Allow two tea bags to sit in the water for five minutes, with the glass in the refrigerator. Remove the bags and apply them to the red spots on your face. The coolness of the tea bags will help calm irritation and inflammation, while the herbs soothe your sore skin.
Step 3
Use products that specifically contain oatmeal, suggests the U.S. National Library of Medicine. Oatmeal is an especially good ingredient for calming and moisturizing the skin when it’s irritated. If you don’t have any oatmeal products, try pouring a cup of oats into a basin of cool water, and allow them to soak. Then, splash the cool water on your face to replenish moisture and calm your skin.
Step 4
Take an over-the-counter pain medication, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen. Either will help to reduce some of the swelling, redness and pain that you could experience after a facial. Make sure to always follow dosing instructions located on the packaging. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons points out that your dermatologist or doctor may even prescribe a pain medication to help with the discomfort following an especially extensive facial procedure.
Step 5
Apply a calming moisturizer each day. Drugs.com recommends feverfew to help reduce inflammation and redness, so look for a moisturizer with feverfew as an ingredient. For added benefit, store your lotion in the fridge so it stays cold and works double duty each time you apply it.
