It seems like every day there’s a new reason my skin is breaking out: midterms, getting In-N-Out for the third time this week, forgetting to wash my pillowcase weekly or the new cleanser that was hyped up on TikTok. I’ve struggled with acne since I was a teenager and still get breakouts and dark spots from relentlessly picking at my skin. So when I was invited to experience Skin Laundry’s Signature Laser facial at their Brentwood location, I was thrilled to experience my first facial and get a nice break from my studying.
Skin Laundry, founded in 2013, is known for its laser facials which target acne, hyperpigmentation and builds collagen for a more even, youthful complexion. Skin Laundry has tons of locations across the U.S. and has multiple membership options depending on the client’s needs. They claim that in just 15 minutes, you can get an effective facial that has minimal downtime so I had to go see for myself.
The Prep:
On their website, Skin Laundry has a list of conditions that would make a client ineligible for the laser facials so if you’re looking into their services, make sure to take a look prior to making an appointment.
I can only speak for the Brentwood location, but the interior of the clinic was spotless, calming and had a very minimalistic approach. I was kindly greeted by CraigAnn, who guided me through the patient forms and asked questions about my skin concerns (acne and hyperpigmentation). Donning a white stretchy headband that exposed my bare face, I had three very close-up photos taken of my skin (very humbling).
Facial Time:
After going through my skincare routine and asking me about my skin concerns, my nurse Joy started on my facial. The first step includes wiping the face with an alcohol pad. Please listen when they tell you to take a DEEP breath and HOLD it; I forgot to hold my breath and felt a few nose hairs shrivel up and die as I sharply inhaled the remains of the alcohol pad.
CraigAnn said that the Signature Laser facial would be no big deal since I’ve had laser hair removal done on my legs. Joy assured me that the pain would be minimal and it would likely feel like a warm sensation. But to me, it felt like someone had found the thinnest needle and was gently pricking it all over my face. Joy explained that she was going to do four passes across my entire face. I would say the first pass hurt the most (a 4/10 on the pain scale) but as my face got progressively warmer, the rest of the passes hurt less. Overall, a very manageable pain, especially if it’s helping my skin. I would say the actual laser process took about five minutes.
Aftercare:
Knowing that my skin tends to be super reactive, I was stressed about how red my skin would look, especially since I could feel my skin getting hot. However, Joy wiped my skin with a toner, patted in a hyaluronic acid serum and some mineral sunscreen to calm my skin. Within a couple of minutes, my skin went from looking red to having a rosy glow. She explained that Skin Laundry has five serums that they use on their clients, depending on their skin type and facial, including vitamin A, tranexamic acid, vitamin C, hyaluronic acid and brightening serum.
As they claim on their website, I experienced no downtime and was ready to get on with my day right after my facial. Joy advised that I follow these simple recommendations for the rest of the day:
- Reapply sunscreen every two hours
- Avoid wearing makeup
- Use a gentle cleanser at nighttime
- Don’t introduce new skincare products
- No physical or chemical exfoliants such as face scrubs
Final thoughts:
In terms of convenience, location and customer experience, I think that Skin Laundry has a lot of advantages.
Who do I think Skin Laundry is perfect for? It seems ideal for the person with a packed schedule since sessions only take 15 minutes. If you join the Laundry Club, you can get the facials at any of the locations. I can see this being a huge perk for people traveling often or living between multiple cities since you can keep up with your facials regardless of where you are.
What does the pricing look like? CraigAnn let me know that they’re running a special for a membership ($250 per month) that allows clients to come in for the Signature Laser facial for a total of four facials a month. While I would say that this is a great affordable-ish option for Skin Laundry fans and facial lovers, it is a big investment for many college students.
What if I can’t make my facials for a couple of months? If you choose to become a Laundry Club member, you can freeze your membership for a total of three months. Instead of paying the typical monthly membership fee, you pay $25 per month when your membership is on a “freeze.”
Who can get these facials? The minimum age requirement is 13 years old. Acne, rosacea, hyperpigmentation, melasma and dullness seem to be some of the most common reasons people choose to become members.
While I can’t afford to fund my facials on a monthly membership basis, I think that Skin Laundry is absolutely worth a try for anyone looking to improve their skin texture. It’s important to remember results take multiple sessions and consistency. Make sure to check out Skin Laundry’s first-time offer if you’re interested!