We all want to have beautiful clean pores, am I right?! Facial extractions help clean out the gunk, such as blackheads and whiteheads to help us maintain that clean, fresh-faced look! What exactly is involved in extractions you ask? Read on to find out all the deets that you'll need to know!
Facials are a common beauty treatment designed to refresh the face and leave skin feeling and looking smooth and clean. One essential step in most facials is extractions! Facial extractions help to remove blackheads and other debris from the pores of your skin. It is a relatively simple process that is manually done with the help of an experienced esthetician.
Why Do People Get Facial Extractions?
The most common reason for facial extractions is to remove blackheads or other types of acne that can leave pores looking dirty and clogged. In fact, most people assume that dirt is the cause of blackheads, though this is not exactly true.
Blackheads are actually formed when sebum and dead skin cells build up within the pores. They become dark due to exposure to oxidized air. Facial extractions are also an effective acne treatment, helping to successfully remove stubborn and painful pustules. However, only certain kinds of acne can be safely removed without causing damage to the skin. Whether or not your esthetician can extract a pimple depends on its size and depth.
In some cases, deeper or lots of clogged pores will require multiple extractions that cannot be safely completed in a single visit. These will require some extra care and maintenance to be successfully cleared without damaging the skin.
What to Expect During Facial Extraction
Facial extractions are usually part of a larger overall facial. Before any facial, your esthetician will likely ask you about your skin type and sensitivities to get a sense of the type of products to use.
They will then move on to cleansing, which is generally completed in a few steps. These include:
Cleansing
Exfoliation
Steaming
Both the exfoliation and steaming help to soften the skin, making extractions easier. The steaming and cleansing process generally lasts no more than 10 minutes.
The Extraction Process
Generally, your esthetician will provide you with eye pads or other protective eyewear. This protects your eyes from the bright lights used to locate any clogged pores.
Your esthetician will always wear gloves to ensure bacteria does not enter the skin. Then, with a gauze-wrapped finger or facial extraction tool, they will apply gentle pressure to the skin to remove blackheads and any other congestion. The extraction process will take roughly 10 minutes. This will vary depending on the number of blackheads and the severity of congestion.
Are Facial Extractions Painful?
In general, facial extractions should not be painful. Your esthetician will only use gentle pressure when working with your skin. All facial extraction tools keep both functionality and comfort in mind during their design. The goal is to not damage the skin, in order to avoid facial scarring.
What To Do After Facial Extractions
Once your facial extractions are complete, your esthetician will apply an antibacterial or antiseptic toner to the skin. This helps to restore the skin's pH and prevent breakouts, which may occur after a facial. (see post facial blues to read more about that)
They may also use high-frequency currents to assist with:
Calming irritated skin
Healing blemishes
Reducing redness
These currents will not be used in those with heart conditions, epilepsy, or pregnant women.
How Often To Get Facial Extractions
Though everyone is different, you should be getting facials every 4 to 6 weeks to maintain optimal results. Once or twice a month, visit your esthetician to stay on top of blackheads or any type of congestion that builds up in the pores.
Getting facial extractions too frequently can irritate the skin. Be sure to talk to your esthetician about the ideal facial extraction schedule for your specific skin type.
Facial Extraction Price
There are many different price levels depending on the types of facial you want to get. Extractions are done in conjunction with more extensive facials that feature more cleansing and post-extraction care. Ultimately, choosing the right facial will depend on both your budget and your skincare needs.
In general, though, a facial session will cost anywhere from $150-$300.
Why You Should Leave Extractions to the Professionals
Our skin is able to stand up to some pretty tough stuff! But, it's still delicate and requires gentle care.
Though many people with acne tend to pick at their skin, this can make achieving clear skin incredibly difficult. In fact, picking at your skin and popping your own pimples can lead to:
Redness
Scarring
Additional breakouts
This is because your skin can contain harmful bacteria that only clog up your pores. You may also apply too much pressure or push too hard, leading to scarring and redness. However, professional extractions from skin experts take additional steps to keep your skin clean, healthy, and cared for in the most gentle manner possible.
Achieving Clear Skin Is Easy
Now that you know more about facial extractions, you're probably feeling like this skin treatment sounds like the right choice for you! Facial extractions not only help you achieve a clear complexion, less congestion, and better product absorption, but they can also boost confidence, provide stress relief, and create an overall sense of wellness.
Book an appointment today to get on the path to clean, glowing skin! Our team of expert estheticians will make sure you leave feeling pampered, healthy, and beautiful!