An extraction facial is a special kind of facial that aims at clearing clogged pores by mechanical or manual methods. Comedones, more commonly known as blackheads, are the primary targets of these facials. Most people think that blackheads are dirt set in the skin pores, but in reality they are clogged pores with dead skin cells and excess sebum. The dark color that is visible on the skin surface is oil that has darkened due to exposure to air. Pimples and pustules are also extracted during this kind of facial, however this depends on their depth and size. Since some pores may be difficult for extraction during the first facial, the process may be repeated several times before fully cleared.
What Exactly Is This Facial?
As its name suggests, it is a process of clearing obstructed or clogged pores from your face. Basically, there are two kinds of comedones that can be cleared with this process, first are the open blackheads and second are the closed whiteheads. Blackheads are oxidized sebum in the skin pores and most commonly appear in the T-zone of your face. Whiteheads are usually caused due to bacteria build-up in your pores and are often inflamed. Depending on your skin and skincare habits, both of these comedowns can appear in any part of your face. If you feel that your pores are clogged with the impurities under your skin, then it’s time to go for an extraction facial. Mostly they are detected in oily skin types that are prone to acne, but people with different types of skin should also get their face thoroughly inspected and cleansed with this process.
Preparing the Skin for an Extraction Facial
The most important component of a safe and successful extraction is proper skin prep. Steam is one of the best skin preparation methods as it heats up the skin and dislodges any debris inside your skin pores. Following that, apply a thick moisturizer that will keep your skin soft and moist, retain heat inside the skin which makes the process of removing the debris easier. A dehydrated skin tends to tighten up, due to which the process becomes harder to carry out. However, if you are suffering from eczema or rosacea, you may skip the steam and soften your face with a warm cloth.
The Process of an Extraction Facial
When you visit an aesthetician to get the facial done, they first start by cleansing your skin properly. They apply an enzyme or desencrustation fluid on your skin. If you have not steamed your skin, they will do it to soften and prepare the skin for smoother extraction. A skin scrubber or another ultrasonic device can also be used to loosen your impacted skin pores.
They often direct a bright light with magnifying lamp towards your skin, so that they can easily see the pores that need deep cleaning. They make sure that your eyes are well protected from the light by providing protective eyewear or eye pads. They wear gloves and apply light pressure around your pores to extract the contents from them. Some experts may do this using their fingers, cotton or gauze, while others use special metal tools specifically designed for the purpose.
Once your extraction facial is done, you may have redness on your face for as long as 24 hours. Most aestheticians do not extract for more than 20-30 minutes at a time to avoid skin inflammation. Sometimes there can be comedones still visible on your skin, it’s because the aesthetician must have decided to leave them alone because of high risk of inflammation. With regular exfoliation and other facial rejuvenation treatments, they may loosen up and extracted in the next few sittings.
Amelia Varley loves to write on different topics, like health, home decor, business, food, lifestyle, and much more.
