Whether you’ve struggled with acne once in your life or consistently throughout the month, it’s a real knock to your self-confidence.
Waking up to a new breakout each day may have you pulling your hair out in frustration. How many more face washes and creams can you possibly try?
While you may be racking your brain as to what could be causing your acne, the answer is not always external.
All-too-often, the source of your breakouts may have nothing to do with your cleansing routine. This begs the question, are facials for acne all that useful?
Find all you need to know about facials for acne in this blog.
Are Facials for Acne Your Answer to Clear Skin?
You may have heard that consistent facials are a great way to achieving clear, flawless skin. And while this may be the answer for some, it all depends on the type of acne you suffer from.
But first things first, what exactly is a facial and how are they performed in order to reduce the appearance of acne?
The Basics of a Facial
A facial is a group of procedures used to remove layers of dead skin cells and unclog pores on the face. They also help to smooth out the appearance of fine lines and overall skin tone.
Performed by a trained aesthetician, a facial usually involves the following steps:
1. Cleansing
The aesthetician will cleanse your skin of excess sebum (oil) and dirt with either a sponge or cotton pad. They will then analyze your skin with a magnifying instrument to assess your level of acne, sun damage, dehydration etc.
2. Skin Exfoliation
In this step the top layer of your skin is usually removed with some form of exfoliant, depending on your skin type. The aesthetician will either use a mechanical or chemical exfoliant.
A mechanical exfoliant involves a rough scrub which works to remove dead skin cells, while a chemical exfoliant uses acids and enzymes to do the same.
3. Pore Extractions
This involves the unclogging of your pores as and when you need it. This is an aggressive procedure and is not always necessary.
The aesthetician uses an extractor tool around clogged pores or acne lesions to remove pus, bacteria, and blood from the clogged follicle.
Facials for Comedonal Acne
As we mentioned previously, the effectiveness of facials for acne is largely dependent on the type of acne you suffer from.
If you suffer from mild, inflammatory acne characterized by whiteheads and blackheads, also known as comedonal acne, facials may be beneficial.
Comedonal acne occurs when pores become clogged with excess oil and dead skin cells, causing an infection in the pore.
Facial exfoliation helps to remove the top layer of the skin, thus removing this excess oil and dirt from the pores.
From here, sebum is then able to flow naturally through skin follicles, helping to reduce instances of breakouts.
The training and skill of your facial aesthetician also play a large part in the improvements you see in your acne. This is why it’s important to do your research on aestheticians who specialize in treating acne-prone skin.
Although facials may help reduce the instances of breakouts, they won’t stop them forming in the first place. Most forms of acne are caused by hormones, diet and stress levels.
This is why you should maintain a good skin care routine with suitable acne products or prescription medications in-between facial treatments.
Facials for Severe Acne
While those with mild acne may benefit from regular facials, people suffering from more severe forms of acne are quite the opposite.
Severe forms of acne characterized by deep cysts and nodules are not recommended to seek the help of facials in treating their acne.
If anything, facial treatments may only exacerbate the appearance of acne and further irritate the skin. Extractions are a no-go for deep, cystic acne as this can cause damage to the follicle and leave you with permanent scarring.
Any good aesthetician will be able to recognize instances of severe acne and should refer you to a dermatologist to help manage your skin.
However, this isn’t to say that you can’t enjoy a facial now and then if you suffer from more severe acne.
Just make sure your aesthetician uses a treatment which complements your doctor’s recommended skin care regime.
Controlling Your Acne
Sure, facials are a great way to indulge your skin is some of the best exfoliants and creams on the market. But it’s important to note that they aren’t always the best option for clear skin.
The cause of your acne is not always topical, so it’s simple, topical treatments are not always going to do the trick.
Much of the acne most people experience is caused by internal factors. For women, it’s largely based on hormonal fluctuations, diet and stress levels.
If you suffer from consistent breakouts, even with regular facial treatments, it may be time to take a look at what’s happening inside your body.
Visiting with a dermatologist is your answer to properly managing the appearance of your skin. They will likely prescribe acne medications, give you useful diet advice and recommend the best skin care products.
This being said, facial treatments are always going to be beneficial for the skin.
With the removal of dead skin cells and excess oil, they leave your skin feeling and looking both softer and smoother.
But instead of fully relying on facials to manage your acne, use them only as a complementary treatment in this process.
Remember to ask your dermatologist about the best facial treatments for your skin and let your aesthetician know you are under a dermatologist’s care.
Rejuvenate Your Skin
Based in Carlsbad, California, Rejeuvine Medical Spa specializes in bringing skin back to life with cutting-edge technology and treatments.
Whether you’re looking for facials for acne, photo rejuvenation or laser therapy, we offer the best treatments on the market today.
We partner with a board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Michael J. Brucker, to provide our clientele with the best possible skin solutions.
Get in touch to book your appointment today.
