10 After Spa Self Care Tips to Extend Your Results

Your service is the spark; what you do afterward is the follow-through. In skincare especially, about 80% of results come from consistent homecare, with your professional treatments powering the other 20%. Whether you visited us for a facial, therapeutic massage, a specialty body treatment, or time in our infrared sauna or cold plunge, these steps help your results last.

After Spa Self Care: what really moves the needle

Think of this as your simple, repeatable playbook. You don’t need an hour-long routine—just a few smart habits right when you get home and over the next 48 hours.

1. Change your pillowcase tonight

   • Post-facial skin is freshly cleansed and prepped. Swapping in a clean pillowcase reduces contact with oil, residue, and bacteria from previous nights. If you can, keep two to three cases in rotation and change them 2–3 times a week. Side sleepers: consider a silk or satin case to minimize friction.

2. Keep it simple for 48 hours

   • Let professional products do their job. Use a gentle cleanser, a hydrating serum if recommended, and a straightforward moisturizer. Skip scrubs, strong acids, and clay masks right after a facial or body exfoliation. If you wear makeup, choose lightweight, non-comedogenic formulas and remove them thoroughly that evening.

3. Take an Epsom salt bath after massage

   • A warm (not hot) soak can feel great for muscles after therapeutic work. Use 1–2 cups of Epsom salt in a tub and soak 10–20 minutes. Rinse off, then moisturize. Good to know: skip Epsom salt baths if you’re pregnant, have uncontrolled blood pressure, kidney disease, or open skin irritations—when in doubt, ask your healthcare provider or your therapist.

4. Hydrate with purpose

   • Drink water before you feel thirsty and consider adding electrolytes—especially after thermotherapy (sauna/cold plunge) or firmer bodywork. Aim for steady sips across the day, and include water-rich foods like oranges, berries, cucumbers, and leafy greens.

5. Protect your skin

   • UV exposure is the fastest way to shorten your facial results. Use a broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher, reapply every two hours outdoors, and wear a hat or seek shade when you can. If you had a peel or advanced exfoliation, protect your skin even more diligently for the next week.

6. Pause powerful actives (briefly)

   • Press pause on retinoids, strong AHAs/BHAs, benzoyl peroxide, and at-home devices for 48–72 hours after advanced in-spa treatments, or as your esthetician advises. Then reintroduce gradually. This prevents irritation and helps preserve your professional glow.

7. Don’t pick; do clean

   • Hands off healing areas. If you feel tempted, apply a thin layer of a bland, fragrance-free moisturizer to reduce the urge. Clean your makeup brushes, sponges, and phone screen the same day as your facial to avoid transferring buildup back onto your skin.

8. Gentle movement beats full throttle

   • After massage or thermotherapy, take a 10–20 minute walk and do easy mobility work for hips, neck, and shoulders. This helps distribute fluids, reduces next-day soreness, and reinforces new range of motion. Save max-effort workouts for the following day if your session was intense.

9. Time your heat and cold wisely

   • If you enjoyed our infrared sauna or cold plunge, give your body a few hours afterward before adding more extremes at home. After deeper bodywork or vigorous exfoliation, stick with lukewarm showers the first evening. The next day, contrast showers or a brief dip in cool water can feel great—just keep sessions short and listen to your body.

10. Seal it in: moisturize body and face

    • After body treatments, apply a nourishing lotion or oil while skin is slightly damp to trap hydration. For the face, use the moisturizer suggested by your esthetician and maintain morning and evening routines. Consistency here is where the 80% homecare rule pays off.

Bonus: plan the next step now

Results stack when you do. Book your next facial based on your goals—often every 4–6 weeks, or more frequently during corrective phases. For massage, cadence depends on stressors, posture, and training load; many people feel their best on a 2–4 week rhythm. If you’re exploring thermotherapy, your therapist can suggest how sauna and cold plunge fit around workouts and recovery.

What to expect with us

At 20 Orange Spa in downtown Wilmington, NC, our team tailors aftercare to your service—Therapeutic Massage, Esthetic Services (including The Glo2 Oxygen Facial), Specialty Body Treatments, and Thermotherapy. Ask your provider for personalized notes before you leave so your After Spa Home Care plan is clear and easy to follow.

Please note: This article is intended to be educational and not given as medical advice. If you have a health condition, are pregnant, or take medications, confirm any new home care (including Epsom salt baths and thermotherapy) with your healthcare provider.