Your First Men's Facial: What to Expect at Joanna Vargas
Your First Men's Facial: What to Expect at Joanna Vargas
At a Glance
- The Gentleman's Facial is a 60-minute professional treatment designed specifically for men's skin
- No preparation required before your appointment
- Three steps: diamond-tip exfoliation, professional extractions, and a medical-grade oxygen infusion
- Zero downtime: you can return to your day immediately after
- Most first-time clients leave looking more rested than when they arrived
- Available at Joanna Vargas spas in New York, Brooklyn, and Los Angeles
Why Your First Men's Facial Is Easier Than You Think
Most men who book their first facial at Joanna Vargas are not skincare people. They are not researching ingredients or following a 10-step routine. They are showing up because someone whose opinion they trust told them to, or because they looked in the mirror and decided something needed to change.
That is exactly the right reason to book.
The Gentleman's Facial at Joanna Vargas was built for men who want results without complexity. You do not need to know anything before you arrive. The esthetician handles everything. This is what to expect from the moment you walk in to the moment you leave.
Before Your Appointment: What to Do
Do I need to prepare anything before my first men's facial?
Nothing. No preparation is required. You do not need to cleanse differently, avoid shaving, or purchase anything in advance. Arrive as you are. The treatment begins with exfoliation so whatever is on your skin when you walk in will be addressed in the first step.
Should I shave before a men's facial?
It does not matter either way. The Diamond Peel exfoliation step works on both freshly shaved and stubbled skin. If you have shaving irritation, the oxygen infusion at the end of the treatment will help calm it. If you have not shaved, the treatment is equally effective.
What should I wear to my facial appointment?
Comfortable clothes you do not mind lying down in. You will be reclined for the full 60 minutes. Leave anything tight around the neck at home.
When You Arrive: What the First Few Minutes Look Like
When you arrive at the spa, you will be greeted and taken to a private treatment room. Your esthetician will ask a few quick questions about your skin: any sensitivities, current concerns, or areas you want to focus on. This takes two to three minutes and requires no preparation on your part. Just answer honestly.
You will lie back on the treatment bed, covered with a drape, and the treatment begins. There is nothing to do except relax.
During The Gentleman's Facial: Step by Step
Step 1: Diamond Peel Microdermabrasion
What does the first step of a men's facial feel like?
The treatment opens with a Diamond Peel, physical exfoliation using a diamond-tipped wand moved gently across the skin. As Joanna describes it in her book Glow From Within, after microdermabrasion "skin is noticeably softer and more pliable, like your skin traveled back a few years in time." Most clients describe the sensation as a mild suction or light scratching. It is not uncomfortable.
This step removes the outermost layer of dead skin cells, smooths rough texture, and clears the surface so the steps that follow can work more effectively. For men, this is particularly powerful because thicker skin and post-shave buildup create a texture layer that traps congestion below the surface. Joanna includes microdermabrasion as a complimentary part of every facial at her salons because the results are immediate and visible.
Step 2: Professional Extractions
What are professional extractions and do they hurt?
After exfoliation, your esthetician will perform professional extractions: the manual clearing of deep-pore buildup that contributes to breakouts and persistent congestion. This is the step most clients are nervous about before their first facial and the step most clients say was worth it when they see the result. Some areas may feel like brief pressure. A skilled esthetician works quickly and precisely, and any discomfort is short-lived. The clarity you see in the mirror afterward is the reason this step exists.
If you have especially sensitive skin or are prone to breakouts, simply let your esthetician know at the start of the appointment. The treatment can be tailored accordingly.
Step 3: Medical-Grade Oxygen Infusion
What does the oxygen infusion feel like?
The final step is the oxygen treatment: a pure-grade oxygen blast infused with green tea, vitamins, and aloe delivered directly to the skin. Joanna writes in Glow From Within: "I do oxygen treatments after every facial in both of my salons, and I can promise you that I see massive results in all my clients."
She describes the experience directly: "My clients report that they love the tingly feeling of the mist on their face, and they bask in the instant hydration they get from the serum."
The science behind it is straightforward. As Joanna explains in the book: "It gives your skin a blast of 98% pure oxygen, without pollutants, and that helps you look plumper, firmer, more lifted, and with an overall glow." The oxygen also fights bacteria and toxins on the skin surface, which makes skin look cleaner, healthier, and more radiant. By the time this step is finished, the skin is calm, clear, and noticeably more rested in appearance.
After Your Appointment: What to Expect
Is there any redness or downtime after a men's facial?
There is no downtime. You can walk out of the spa and go directly to work, a dinner, or anywhere else. Some clients experience mild redness immediately after the extractions step, which typically fades within an hour. Most clients leave the spa looking more rested and clearer than when they arrived.
What should I do after my first facial?
Drink plenty of water. Avoid touching your face unnecessarily for the rest of the day. If you use a moisturizer, apply it as normal. There are no restrictions on what you can do after the appointment. One note from the book: Joanna recommends drinking lots of water after treatments to support the skin's recovery and amplify results.
When will I see results from my first men's facial?
Immediately. Improved clarity, smoother texture, and a more rested appearance are visible the same day. With monthly treatments, these results compound over time: pores appear smaller, congestion reduces, and skin maintains a consistently clearer baseline between appointments.
How often should men get a facial?
Monthly. One appointment per month is the cadence that delivers cumulative improvement. Your first facial clears what has accumulated. The second maintains and builds on that result. By the third appointment, most clients notice their skin holds its clarity for longer between visits.
What Makes The Gentleman's Facial Different From a Standard Facial
Most standard facials offer a general protocol that was designed without men's specific skin concerns in mind. The Gentleman's Facial combines three clinical steps in a specific sequence built around what men's skin actually needs: physical clearing of thicker skin and post-shave buildup, professional extraction of deeper congestion, and oxygen restoration of hydration and vitality.
With more than 20,000 facials worth of hands-on experience, Joanna Vargas developed the protocol behind this treatment for clients who want visible results without complexity. The same approach that has made her the trusted facialist for clients including Mandy Moore, Meghan Markle, and Julianne Moore is applied with equal precision to every appointment at her spas.
Frequently Asked Questions: First Men's Facial
Is it normal to be nervous about your first facial?
Yes, and it is common. Most men who book their first facial at Joanna Vargas have never had a professional skin treatment before. The estheticians at Joanna Vargas are experienced with first-time clients and will walk you through each step before it happens. There is nothing surprising in the treatment.
How long does The Gentleman's Facial take?
60 minutes from start to finish.
Is a men's facial worth it?
Professional extractions alone accomplish something no at-home routine can replicate: the physical clearing of deep-pore buildup that causes congestion, dullness, and recurring breakouts. Combined with diamond exfoliation and oxygen restoration, the result after a single appointment is immediately visible. Most clients who book once rebook within the month.
What is the best men's facial for first-time clients?
The Gentleman's Facial is the ideal entry point. It is results-driven without being aggressive, suitable for all skin types, requires no preparation, and has zero downtime. It gives a first-time client an immediate and clear sense of what professional skincare can do.
Does oxygen therapy really work on skin?
Joanna Vargas addresses this directly in Glow From Within: "Oxygen is one of the greatest life forces in the world. If your skin gets enough oxygen, it functions better, turning its cells over and producing the collagen and elastin that helps you look young." She performs oxygen treatments after every facial at both her salons and reports seeing results in all her clients.
How much does The Gentleman's Facial cost?
$250. Treatments with a Master Esthetician carry a $50 surcharge.
Where can I book The Gentleman's Facial?
At all three Joanna Vargas spa locations: Midtown New York, Brooklyn, and West Hollywood, Los Angeles.
Book Your First Appointment
The Gentleman's Facial is available now at all Joanna Vargas spa locations. No preparation required. No routine to learn. One hour, immediate results.
