Nervous About Your First Ultimate Unfiltered Facial? Here's How It Goes

I hear first-appointment nerves all the time, and I get it. People tell me our team is “so friendly and makes you feel special, ” and that tone matters when you’re trying something new. The Ultimate Unfiltered Facial is straightforward: I’ll take a close look at your skin, cleanse, exfoliate thoughtfully, do extractions if you want them, then finish with hydrating serums and a mask, plus diamond-tip microdermabrasion and red light therapy. Plan on about 90 minutes, and if we do extractions you might have some short-lived redness. Most people leave looking immediately more hydrated with minimal downtime, which is huge in Sioux Falls when the weather flips colder and drier.

A simple 3 to 5 day prep plan for your Ultimate Unfiltered Facial

If you do just a few things before you come in, your skin usually behaves better during exfoliation and extractions. Here’s what I generally recommend for a first time Ultimate Unfiltered Facial.

If you’re unsure about a product in your routine, bring a photo of the label on your phone. I’d rather look at what you’re actually using than guess. Also, if you’re booking in October or winter in South Dakota, let me know if your skin has been stinging after cleansing or feeling tight by midday. That tells me your barrier is struggling, and I’ll plan your facial around calming and hydration first.

Your 90-minute Ultimate Unfiltered Facial, step by step (no surprises)

I work with a lot of first-timers who tell me they’re nervous because they don’t know what’s going to happen once they’re on the bed. So here’s the real timeline. You’ll be in a private treatment room, and I’ll check in with you the whole time. If anything feels too spicy, too warm, or just not your thing, tell me. I can adjust the pace or swap a step.

1) Check-in and skin analysis (first 10 minutes)

I’ll ask what you’re noticing right now, dryness, congestion, breakouts, dullness, sensitivity, and what you want to see improve. I also want to know what you’re using at home and if you’ve had any recent procedures. Think of this as the part where we set a plan, not a quiz.

2) Cleanse and prep (10 to 20 minutes)

You’ll feel warm towels, gentle cleansing, and that “finally, my face can breathe” feeling. If you’re coming straight from work or errands on the Western Avenue corridor near 62nd Street, don’t stress about arriving perfectly bare-faced. I’m going to cleanse thoroughly.

3) Exfoliation and diamond-tip microdermabrasion (20 to 45 minutes)

This is where the “unfiltered” part starts to show. Diamond-tip microdermabrasion is a controlled, physical exfoliation. It tends to feel like a firm, scratchy polish, not painful. If your skin is sensitive or you’re acne-prone, I’ll keep this conservative. I can also do a quick patch-test area if you’re anxious about reactivity.

4) Extractions if needed (about 5 to 15 minutes)

Extractions are always a conversation, not a surprise. If you’ve got congestion that’s ready to come out, we’ll handle it gently and strategically. If your skin is inflamed or you’re feeling sensitive, I may skip or limit extractions so you don’t leave looking blotchy.

"I went in very nervous about eyelash extensions. Kylee made me feel so welcome and relaxed. The salon is so cute and comfy. Everyone was so friendly and the experience was way better than I was thinking it was going to be!"

, a first-time client

5) Mask, serums, and red light therapy (final 30 minutes)

Then we shift into hydration and calm. I’ll apply targeted serums and a mask, and we’ll finish with red light therapy. Most people drift here, especially when the rest of life is loud. You’ll leave with moisturizer and sunscreen, plus a short plan for the next couple days so you don’t accidentally undo the work in the first 24 hours.

After your Ultimate Unfiltered Facial: redness, glow, and the first 48 hours

Right after your facial, your skin usually looks plumper and more even. If we did extractions or your skin flushes easily, mild redness can hang around for a few hours. That’s normal. What I don’t want is you going straight into heat, friction, and active ingredients.

For Sioux Falls winters, hydration is not just a nice-to-have. Cold air plus indoor heat can rough up your barrier fast. I’ll usually point you toward a heavier moisturizer for nighttime and a simpler routine for a week, just so your skin can hold onto the results. If you love the look, most people rebook every 4 to 6 weeks, but I’ll base that on your goals and how your skin responds.

Sensitive, acne-prone, or “I react to everything”: what I change on the spot

If your skin is sensitive, you’re not a “difficult” appointment. You just need a slower approach. Tell me what has irritated you in the past, and what your skin does when it’s unhappy. Burning, itching, tightness, bumps, all of that helps.

Depending on what I see, I’ll do things like a small patch-test area before we commit, keep microdermabrasion lighter, limit extractions, and focus the back half of the facial on calming hydration. And if you’re acne-prone, I’ll still prioritize gentle work. Aggressive scrubbing usually backfires.

A few insider tips before you book on Western Ave near 62nd

Here’s the little thing people don’t think about: plan your facial when you can leave your skin alone afterward. No big event makeup right after, no steamy workout class, no new product testing that night. Give your skin one calm evening and you’ll usually see a better glow the next day.

If you’re brand new, ask us about the complimentary 15-minute skin consultation. It’s a low-pressure way to meet us and talk through goals before you commit to your first full service. Our team has been here for years, and people stick with us because we show up, we listen, and we care about the quality of the work. That’s the same energy I bring into facials.

Address: 6217 S Western Ave, Sioux Falls, SD 57108