Frequently Asked Questions About Liz Clapsis Skin

  • Liz Clapsis is a Master Licensed Esthetician and the founder of Liz Clapsis Skin, a private facial studio in Eastern Market on Capitol Hill. For more than 20 years, she has worked in skincare, wellness, and client care, helping people feel more confident in their skin. Her approach is highly personalized because she believes healthy skin isn't achieved through trends or quick fixes—it's built through consistency, education, and treatments that respect your skin's natural barrier.

  • Every appointment is private, personalized, and centered around your skin's individual needs. Rather than following the same facial for every client, Liz takes the time to understand your concerns, goals, and lifestyle before recommending a treatment. Her focus is helping you build healthier skin over time—not simply providing a relaxing facial for one day.

  • The Skin Consultation + Home-Care Plan is an optional 20-minute, +$55 facial add-on for clients who want dedicated time to review skin concerns, current products, routine, and product order and use. Liz helps simplify or adjust the routine where appropriate and provides personalized home-care recommendations, followed by a post-appointment recap with next steps. It goes beyond the brief check-in included with the Signature Facial.

    The Bridal Skin Prep Facial already includes its own bridal-specific consultation and planning, so brides do not need to add it separately.

  • For many clients, a facial every 6–8 weeks works well as a maintenance cadence, but there isn’t one schedule that is right for everyone. Liz considers how the skin presents, the amount of congestion or extraction work needed, the client’s skin goals, and whether they are preparing for an event such as a wedding or reunion. After the facial, she can recommend whether coming more or less often makes sense based on what she sees and what the client is working toward.

  • Healthy skin begins with a healthy skin barrier. When your barrier is functioning well, your skin is better able to retain moisture, tolerate active ingredients, and protect itself from irritation. Many skin concerns improve when care focuses on restoring the barrier rather than constantly adding stronger products or more treatments.

  • Liz begins a Signature Facial appointment with a brief check-in about the client’s skin and relevant concerns, then personalizes treatment to how the skin presents that day. Clients who want dedicated product, routine, and home-care planning may add the 20-minute Skin Consultation + Home-Care Plan.

  • New clients and anyone unsure what to book should start with the Signature Facial, a personalized 60-minute treatment. Liz selects the exfoliation and treatment steps appropriate for how the skin presents that day. Advanced Corrective Facial + Brightening Peel is a 75-minute, more exfoliation-focused facial centered on the Alchimie Forever Brightening Peel. Liz may modify or omit the peel when a more conservative approach is appropriate.

  • Yes. No two facials are exactly alike. Every treatment is tailored to your skin's condition, sensitivity, concerns, and goals. As your skin changes with the seasons, lifestyle, or life events, your treatment plan can change too.

  • Liz selects treatment steps according to how the skin presents at the appointment. At a first visit, particularly when skin appears sensitive or reactive, she may take a more conservative approach. Exfoliation and other steps may be adjusted or omitted when appropriate.

  • Dermaplaning is a gentle professional exfoliation treatment that removes dead skin cells and fine facial hair using a specialized surgical blade. It leaves skin feeling smoother, helps skincare products absorb more effectively, and creates a beautiful surface for makeup application.

    Dermaplaning is included when appropriate. Liz decides whether it makes sense based on how the skin presents that day; it is not a fixed step in every appointment.

  • No. This is one of the most common questions Liz receives. Dermaplaning does not change the thickness, color, or growth rate of your facial hair. Your hair will grow back just as it was before your treatment.

  • When possible, Liz prefers to begin 3–12 months before the wedding, and earlier is better. Starting ahead gives her time to see how the skin responds, adjust home care gradually, and refine the plan over later visits when appropriate. Clients can begin closer to the wedding, but appointment availability may be limited because Liz’s schedule often fills several weeks in advance. Booking ahead is encouraged.

  • Liz’s private studio is located in Eastern Market on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. She welcomes clients from throughout Capitol Hill, Navy Yard, Southwest DC, and the greater Washington metropolitan area. Once your appointment is confirmed, you'll receive detailed arrival instructions.

  • New clients pay a 30% deposit. Cancellations require at least 12 hours’ notice.

    New-client deposits are forfeited for cancellations made within 12 hours of the appointment or for no-shows.