Calm, comfortable skin again — treated gently.

Sensitive skin almost always traces back to a weakened skin barrier — the outer layer that keeps moisture in and irritants out. When it's compromised by over-exfoliation, harsh actives like strong retinoids or acids, aggressive cleansers, hard water, or Montreal's cold, dry climate, everyday triggers reach the nerves and vessels beneath and cause stinging, redness, tightness, and flaking. Some people are also genetically more reactive (fair, thin, or rosacea-prone skin), and conditions like eczema and rosacea, plus stress and hormonal changes, can all play a role. At your free consultation we identify your specific triggers so we can treat the cause, not just the symptoms.

There isn't one universal answer — the best treatment depends on how your sensitivity shows up. For most reactive, redness-prone skin, a Calming Sensitive Facial with LED is the ideal first step: it soothes inflammation and rebuilds the barrier with zero downtime. If puffiness and congestion are the issue, a gentle Lymphatic Drainage Facial works beautifully. And when persistent redness, flushing, or rosacea is the main concern, Laser Vascular treatment targets the broken capillaries at the source. Often the best result comes from combining a calming facial first, then refining with laser once the skin is strong. Your esthetician will recommend the right starting point at your free consultation.

Most clients feel a difference from the very first calming facial, but lasting change comes from a short series. Barrier-repairing facials are typically done as a course of 4 to 6 sessions, spaced 2 to 4 weeks apart, then maintained monthly. Vascular laser for redness and broken vessels usually takes 2 to 4 sessions, spaced about 4 weeks apart, depending on severity. Because we work conservatively to protect reactive skin, we pace your plan to your skin's response rather than rushing it. We'll map an exact, realistic schedule for you at your free consultation.

Our sensitive-skin treatments are chosen specifically to avoid irritation. Calming facials and lymphatic drainage have zero downtime — your skin simply looks calmer and less puffy afterward, and you can return to your day immediately. Vascular laser may leave mild, temporary pinkness or slight warmth for a few hours to a day, similar to a light flush, which settles quickly. We always start conservatively on reactive skin, and we never use harsh actives or aggressive exfoliation. If your skin has been burned by products before, this is a deliberately gentle, barrier-first approach.

Prevention is about protecting your barrier. Simplify your routine to a gentle, fragrance-free cleanser, a barrier-supporting moisturizer, and daily broad-spectrum SPF 30+. Stop over-exfoliating — limit acids and retinoids, especially during Montreal winters — and introduce any new active slowly. Avoid very hot water, harsh scrubs, and known triggers like fragrance, alcohol-based toners, and excessive heat. Manage stress and stay hydrated, since both affect reactivity. Your esthetician will give you a personalized, written home-care plan that supports your in-clinic results and keeps flare-ups from coming back.

It depends on the treatment and how well you protect your barrier afterward. Calming and lymphatic facials give an immediate, comfortable result that's maintained with a session every 4 to 6 weeks alongside good home care. Vascular laser results are longer-lasting — once a broken vessel is cleared it doesn't return, though rosacea-prone skin can form new vessels over time, so occasional maintenance keeps redness in check. Sensitive skin is a tendency, not a one-time fix, so the most durable results come from combining the right treatments with a gentle, consistent home routine. We'll set that up with you at your consultation.

Pause Strong Actives

Stop retinoids, AHAs/BHAs, and exfoliating scrubs for 3 to 5 days beforehand so your skin is calm and not already irritated.

Avoid Sun & Tanning

Keep skin out of direct sun and avoid tanning for at least a week before laser treatment. Sun-stressed skin reacts more easily.

Come With Bare Skin

Arrive without makeup if you can, and skip heavy products that morning so we can assess your skin's true baseline.

Tell Us Your History

Share your triggers, any rosacea or eczema, recent reactions, medications, and pregnancy — this guides the gentlest plan for you.

Keep It Simple & Gentle

Use only the soothing, fragrance-free products we recommend. Hold off on actives, scrubs, and acids until your skin is fully settled.

Apply SPF 30+ Daily

Sun protection is non-negotiable for reactive skin and is essential after laser. Reapply through the day, especially in summer.

Avoid Heat & Triggers

Skip saunas, steam, hot showers, intense workouts, alcohol, and spicy food for 24 to 48 hours to avoid flushing the treated area.

Hydrate & Be Patient

Keep skin well moisturized and let calm build over the series. Healthy, resilient skin is rebuilt gradually, not overnight.

Almost anyone with reactive skin is a good candidate — whether you sting and flush from products, deal with persistent redness or rosacea, have a barrier worn down by over-exfoliation, or simply have naturally delicate, easily-irritated skin. Our gentle protocols suit all skin types and all skin tones, and we take extra care on darker skin, where irritation can leave lingering marks. Treatments may be adjusted or postponed for active eczema flares, infections, certain medications, or pregnancy for some options — your esthetician will confirm what's safe at your free consultation.

Yes — and combining is often the best approach. We typically start with a Calming Sensitive Facial to soothe and rebuild the barrier, add Lymphatic Drainage for puffiness and congestion, and bring in Laser Vascular once the skin is strong enough to target persistent redness. Your esthetician sequences everything conservatively so the treatments complement each other rather than over-stress reactive skin.