What If I Get Excited During a Facial? And 11 Other Questions Guys Don't Ask

Most guys have questions about facials. Most of those questions get googled at one in the morning, in an incognito tab. Then the tab gets closed, and the facial doesn't get booked.

I've heard every one of these. Usually not out loud. Usually a guy is lying on my table, and I can tell he wants to ask something, and then he just doesn't. So I made a video answering all of them. If you'd rather watch than read, it's right here. The written version is below.

1. Do other guys actually get facials?

Yes. You will not be the only guy in a robe surrounded by cucumbers. Most of my clients are men, and they're all kinds of guys. A lot of them were sent the first time by a girlfriend, a wife, an aunt. Then they keep coming back on their own. You're not the first. You're probably not even the first that day.

2. Do I need to shave first?

No. Come however you normally look. If you really want to shave, do it the night before, not in the parking lot five minutes before. Freshly shaved skin is more sensitive.

If you have a beard, a good esthetician asks before touching it. You may have spent three years growing that thing. I'm not about to start fixing it.

3. Do I have to take my shirt off?

No. Taking it off just means I can work on the neck and shoulders too, and you're draped the whole time, so only the neck and shoulders show. If you'd rather keep it on, say "I'd rather not." We skip those areas. That's the whole conversation, and nobody is offended.

4. My skin is really bad. Is that embarrassing?

That's like cleaning your house before the cleaner comes. The bad skin is the reason you're there. I've seen pores that haven't been touched since college. I'm not going to gasp. If anything, I'm a little excited, which is my problem, not yours.

5. One that actually matters: prescriptions

If you're on medication, or using anything prescription on your face, like a retinoid or Accutane, tell your esthetician before the facial. It changes what we can safely do. It's not a judgment thing. It's an I-don't-want-to-hurt-you thing.

6. Do I have to make conversation?

No. Some guys talk the entire hour. Some say hi, close their eyes, and that's it. Both are great. If you want it quiet, say "I'm going to zone out," and honestly, I'll be thrilled.

7. Will it hurt?

For the most part, no. The only part that might be uncomfortable is extractions, when clogged pores and blackheads get cleared out, and that feels more like pressure than pain.

My very first male client told me his facial was "good," then disappeared for three years. When he came back, he said the extractions had been too rough. He just didn't know how to say it, so he didn't. Great feedback to get three years later.

8. What if I fall asleep?

Please do. Snoring is even better. It means I'm doing my job. I've had guys fall asleep in the middle of their own sentence. I don't take it personally.

9. The one you've been waiting for

What if you get an erection? It happens. It's a reflex. You're lying down, you're warm, you're under a blanket, and you're probably relaxed for the first time all month. Your body is just doing body things.

It doesn't mean anything, and anyone who does this for a living knows that. I'm very busy with your pores. Nobody has to say anything. It goes away, and the facial keeps going.

10. What if I don't like something?

Say it. The product stings, the steam is too hot, you hate the music. That's not you being difficult. That's you giving me information. A facial is not an endurance test. Nobody hands you a medal at the end for not complaining.

11. Am I going to be red after?

You might be a little pink, mostly where we did extractions, and it's usually gone in a few hours. You can go back to work. Nobody will know unless you tell them, which please do. I need the referrals.

The one caution: don't book your very first facial the morning of your wedding, your headshots, or anything like that. Give it a few days, just in case.

12. Will I get pressured to buy products?

I think a lot of guys don't come back because of the last ten minutes, not the facial. You're relaxed, your face feels great, and suddenly you're standing in front of a shelf holding a $90 serum, not sure how you got there.

You're allowed to say no. "I'm good for now" is a complete sentence. Or ask, "What's the one thing I actually need?" A good esthetician will give you a straight answer, and sometimes that answer is that the face wash you already have is fine.

For home, three things are usually enough: cleanse, moisturize, sunscreen. Three, not twelve. If I give you twelve, you'll do zero.

And the last two, quickly

• Tipping. It depends on the place, so ask when you book. It's a normal question, and nobody thinks you're cheap for asking.
• How often to come back. Most people come every four to six weeks. The first facial mostly cleans everything up. The ones after that are where it starts getting good. It's like the gym: one workout is nice, but the point is you keep showing up.

The one thing to remember

You're allowed to talk during a facial. If something hurts, say so. If you don't want to buy something, say so. And if you have a question that feels weird, ask it anyway. I've probably heard it this week. Probably twice.

If this would be your first facial, the studio is in Old Town Pasadena. Bring the questions. I'd rather answer all of them than have you lie there wondering.