What actually happens when you get a professional facial?
If you have never had one before, you may be wondering whether you need to know your skin type, which facial to choose, what products will be used, or even what you are supposed to do once you arrive.
You do not need to have all of that figured out before coming to Kiwi Spa.
At our facial spa in Pacific Beach, the experience starts with getting to know your skin. We talk about what you use at home, what has been bothering you lately, and what you would like to improve. From there, your esthetician can personalize your treatment instead of expecting you to diagnose your own skin from a spa menu.
And because Kiwi Spa's skincare line is all natural, vegan, cruelty free, and made locally with love in San Diego, the products used during your experience are part of what makes a Kiwi facial feel distinctly ours.
Here is what you can expect from the moment you arrive.
What Happens When You Arrive at Kiwi Spa?
Your facial does not begin the second you walk through the door.
We actually want you to have a little time to stop thinking about traffic, work, errands, and whatever you were doing five minutes earlier.
Your experience begins in our VIP lounge, where you can settle in before your treatment.
Guests can enjoy a complimentary champagne welcome, relax in our Zero Gravity Massage Chairs, and take photos at the Red Rose Photo Zone.
It is one of the reasons a facial at Kiwi Spa feels different from a quick skincare appointment.
We want the relaxation to be part of the experience too.
Guests relaxing in our zero-gravity massage chair at Kiwi Spa, Pacific Beach, San Diego
Your Facial Starts With a Skin Consultation
Once it is time for your facial, we start by talking.
Your esthetician will ask about your current skincare routine, your main concerns, sensitivity, products you use at home, and what you would like your skin to look and feel like.
This conversation matters.
A person who says, “My skin is dry,” may actually mean that it feels tight after cleansing.
Another person may have oily skin that still feels dehydrated.
Someone else may think they need stronger exfoliation because their complexion looks dull, when their skin is already sensitive from products they are using at home.
Those details change what we choose to do.
You also do not need to know the professional terminology for what is happening with your skin. Just tell us what you notice.
“My makeup has started looking patchy.”
“My cheeks feel tight.”
“My pores look clogged.”
“I keep getting breakouts around my chin.”
“My skin just does not look as fresh lately.”
That gives us somewhere useful to start.
What Happens During a Facial at Kiwi Spa?
After the consultation, your esthetician can customize the facial according to the treatment you booked and what is appropriate for your skin.
Depending on your facial, the experience may include professional cleansing, exfoliation, extractions when appropriate, hydration, masks, facial massage, and professional skincare technologies.
But we do not believe every client needs every possible step.
If your skin is sensitive, we take that into account.
If you are already using strong exfoliating products at home, tell us.
If congestion is your main concern, your esthetician may focus differently than she would for someone whose biggest concern is dehydration.
Professional skincare should make sense for the skin in front of us.
Esthetician performing a facial at Kiwi Spa in Pacific Beach, San Diego
What Makes Kiwi Spa a Vegan Spa in San Diego?
If you are specifically searching for a vegan spa in San Diego, the products being used on your skin probably matter to you.
At Kiwi Spa, our skincare products are all natural, vegan, cruelty free, and made locally with love in San Diego.
That is important to us because professional skincare is not only about the equipment or technique being used during the appointment.
It is also about what is being applied to your skin.
Our approach is to combine those products with professional skincare techniques and customize the experience according to the individual client.
You can enjoy a luxurious facial experience while choosing skincare that aligns with a vegan and cruelty free approach.
What Is JetPeel and Why Do We Use It?
JetPeel is one of the professional skincare technologies used in many Kiwi Spa facial experiences.
It uses a high velocity stream of air and liquid to work across the skin without needles.
At Kiwi Spa, we use JetPeel as part of a broader facial experience rather than treating it as the entire facial.
We also believe preparation matters.
Professional exfoliation beforehand can help remove surface buildup and prepare the complexion before the infusion portion of the treatment.
For clients comparing JetPeel with a HydraFacial in San Diego, it is important to understand that they are different technologies.
Kiwi Spa does not offer HydraFacial. JetPeel is the advanced alternative we use in our facial experiences, combined with professional exfoliation and personalized skincare based on the client's needs.
What Does a Facial Feel Like?
This is one of those questions first time facial clients sometimes feel funny asking.
You should not.
A facial is supposed to be an enjoyable experience.
You may feel the texture of different cleansers, masks, serums, massage techniques, or professional devices depending on the treatment you receive.
Some steps may feel cool. Some may feel warm. Massage can feel deeply relaxing. Exfoliation may feel different depending on the technique being used.
If anything feels uncomfortable, tell your esthetician.
You are not supposed to lie there silently wondering whether something is normal.
We would much rather know what you are feeling so we can adjust when necessary.
What Should You Expect After Your Facial?
Your skin may look and feel refreshed after your appointment, but what happens next matters too.
Before you leave, your esthetician can talk with you about caring for your skin at home.
This does not mean sending you home with an unnecessarily complicated routine.
We want you to understand what your skin actually needs.
That might mean changing how often you exfoliate, adding more hydration, simplifying the number of products you use, or being more consistent with the routine you already have.
If you use retinol, acids, scrubs, or other stronger active products, your esthetician can also discuss when it makes sense to return to them after your particular facial.
The goal is for your professional facial and your home routine to work together.
Why Your Skin Can Feel Different in San Diego
Living in San Diego sounds like a dream for your skin.
Sunshine, ocean air, beaches.
But your complexion experiences quite a lot here.
If you spend time at Pacific Beach or Mission Beach, salt water and wind can leave your skin feeling tight.
Outdoor workouts can mean sweat mixed with layers of sunscreen.
Santa Ana conditions can bring very dry air.
Then you walk indoors and spend hours in air conditioning.
Your skin can move between oiliness, dehydration, congestion, and sensitivity depending on your routine and the weather.
That is why we do not assume that every San Diego client needs the same facial just because they live in the same climate.
We look at what your skin is doing now.
Is a Vegan Facial Good for Sensitive Skin?
Choosing vegan skincare does not automatically tell us whether a product is appropriate for sensitive skin.
Your individual sensitivity still matters.
If you are searching for a facial for sensitive skin in San Diego, tell your esthetician about previous reactions, allergies, irritation, and the active products you currently use.
We can then take that information into account when planning your experience.
“Vegan” and “gentle” are not interchangeable words, and we would rather evaluate your actual skin than make that assumption.
Questions First Time Facial Clients Ask Us
Do I Need to Know My Skin Type Before My Facial?
No.
You can tell us what you notice about your skin and what concerns you. Your consultation is there to help us understand the rest.
Should I Come to My Facial Without Makeup?
You can arrive with makeup on. Professional cleansing is part of the facial experience when appropriate for your treatment.
If there is anything special you need to do before the facial you booked, Kiwi Spa can let you know beforehand.
How Often Should I Get a Professional Facial?
For many people, approximately every four to six weeks can be a useful starting point, but there is no schedule that fits everyone.
Your skin, sensitivity, home products, goals, and the type of facial you receive should all be considered.
Ready to Experience a Kiwi Spa Facial?
If you are looking for a luxury vegan facial in San Diego, the Kiwi Spa Platinum Custom Facial Experience gives us the flexibility to personalize your treatment around your skin concerns.
Regular Price: $299
SALE
New Clients: $179, 40% OFF
Returning Clients: $209, 30% OFF
Kiwi Spa
1919 Grand Ave, Suite 1H
Pacific Beach, San Diego
Open daily from 8am to 9pm
