ALA facial aftercare: ALA (13%) Facial w/ Blue LED week-long plan
By Charmin The Wax Whisperer | July 19, 2026
$80 ALA (13%) Facial w/ Blue LED, focused on mild to moderate acne and reducing oil in the pores.
If you remember one rule after your ALA (13%) Facial w/ Blue LED, make it this: protect your skin from sun and bright light for the first 48 to 72 hours. In Knoxville, that matters even more because heat and humidity can turn a “quick errand” into sweat and irritation fast. Keep things calm, keep it gentle, and let the treatment do its job for your acne and oily pores.
Your first 24 to 48 hours: the “don’t poke the bear” window
Right after ALA plus Blue LED, your skin can act a little reactive. Redness, warmth, tightness, and some tenderness are common. The goal is simple: reduce heat, friction, and anything that stings.
48-hour basics: skip direct sun, avoid heavy sweating, keep water lukewarm, wear no makeup, and don’t use exfoliating acids or scrubs.
Do this
- Cleanse gently with a fragrance-free cleanser and cool to lukewarm water. Pat dry, don’t rub.
- Moisturize with a simple, fragrance-free moisturizer. If it stings, it’s probably too active right now.
- Use SPF 30+ every morning. If you’re going outdoors, reapply. Hats and shade count too.
- Plan around the heat: Ball Camp and North Knoxville clients often do best with early morning or evening plans so you’re not out in the midday sun.
Avoid this
- Makeup the same day. Give your pores a break.
- Hot showers, steaming your face, saunas, and hot yoga.
- Hard workouts and anything that leaves you dripping. Sweat plus heat can ramp up irritation.
- Actives like retinoids, benzoyl peroxide, AHA/BHA acids, scrubs, cleansing brushes, and peels.
Days 3 to 7: keep the calm, manage peeling the right way
A lot of people feel “pretty normal” by day 3, then get tempted to jump back into actives or a full makeup routine. This is the week where patience pays off. Light flaking or peeling can show up, and that’s not a failure. It’s your skin cycling through.
Knoxville reality check: our summers are hot and humid. For 2 to 3 days after treatment, try to avoid outdoor chores, long school pickup lines in the sun, and anything that turns into a sweaty face.
If you peel, do this instead of picking
- Moisturize a little more often and keep cleansing gentle.
- Let flakes lift on their own. Picking can leave dark marks and prolong healing.
- Avoid waxing, threading, or any hair removal over treated skin until everything looks settled.
When can you return to workouts?
We generally recommend waiting at least 48 to 72 hours before exercising, especially if you’re someone who sweats a lot or gets flushed. If you do go back, start with something lighter, keep your face clean, and don’t let sweat sit on your skin for long.
Safe products after ALA 13%: what to use, what to pause
This part keeps it simple. For the first few days, think “boring skincare.” Boring heals well.
Use: fragrance-free cleanser, fragrance-free moisturizer, and broad-spectrum SPF 30+.
If your skin feels tight, add an extra layer of moisturizer instead of reaching for actives.
Pause: retinoids, acids (AHA/BHA), benzoyl peroxide, scrubs, masks that tingle, and anything heavily scented.
If you’re not sure if something counts as “active, ” send us the name of the product and we’ll help you sort it out.
And sunscreen is non-negotiable. If you’re in Knoxville, Powell, Halls, Fountain City, Corryton, or Karns, you’re getting sun just walking to the car. Apply it daily, even if you swear you’re “only out for a minute.”
Why we’re strict about aftercare (and what better results usually look like)
ALA plus Blue LED is chosen because it’s a solid option for mild to moderate acne and oily pores. The people who get the best results are usually the ones who keep things calm for that first week. Less heat. Less friction. Less experimenting.
Our team tends to see the same pattern: when someone skips workouts for a couple days, stays out of direct sun, and avoids actives, their skin settles faster. When someone “tests” a new product or picks at flakes, they stay red longer and can end up with irritation that didn’t need to happen.
"Amazing services!! Always made sure everything was to my liking. Extremely helpful on after care as well"
one of our regulars
When to reach out to us in Knoxville (normal vs not normal)
Some redness, tenderness, and light peeling can be normal after this type of treatment. What we don’t want is worsening irritation that keeps climbing day after day.
Reach out if you notice
- Pain that’s getting worse instead of better
- Oozing, crusting that looks infected, or spreading swelling
- A strong reaction after sun exposure or a new product
We’re big on listening and explaining, especially when your skin is acting unpredictable. One client put it plainly: “She is patient in listening to my needs as a client.” That’s the energy you’ll get if you call with a question. If you want to keep momentum going after your skin calms down, we’ll help you plan the next visit based on what your acne and oil are actually doing.
Quick reminder for busy schedules: If you’re doing school runs or commuting around I-75 and I-640, plan your first 2 to 3 days as “low heat, low sun.” Your skin will thank you.