Facials for acne: Do they help? Facials may help reduce the symptoms of acne in mild cases, but they can sometimes make this skin condition worse.
Warnings About Facials for Acne
Facials are not recommended for severe, inflammatory acne. Exfoliation can lead to more severe inflammation, while extraction can result in acne scars. Extractions during facials can cause severe cosmetic problems if they're done improperly.
You may experience skin purging from exfoliating acids, too. “Certain facials that involve a chemical peel component may also trigger this reaction,” Mraz Robinson says, “because again, it's all about a reaction in response to an accelerated exfoliation.” Your skin is affected by more than what you put on it.
Why do some people break out directly following a facial? During a facial, skin is well stimulated and much of what's below the surface is encouraged to come up and out. If extractions are not done well then pores and pimples may have left over debris that come to a head in the following days.
“Skin sometimes purges a day or two after because extractions cause the skin to get rid of the toxins hanging out just below the surface. When this happens, the skin can break out in whiteheads or pimples, and it can be inflamed and red,” says Liana Cutrone, skin therapist at Heyday.
If you've ever had a facial, then you know what happens within the next two to three days. Your skin will begin to purge. As your skin expedites its recovery, it pushes everything to the surface, and the end result is a healthy mix of whiteheads, pimples, and even blackheads.
As your skin goes through its renewal process, it can bring more congestion to the surface. But don't despair. This is a good thing and it means clearer skin is on the way." Essentially, it might not be that your facial is causing a breakout.
Avoid picking at your skin or use abrasive skincare products like scrubs for at least 72 hours after your treatment. It is normal to experience slight redness after a facial, or itching after an extraction. However, your therapist will apply light cream or moisturiser to calm your skin and help it heal.
Skin purging typically looks like tiny red bumps on the skin that are painful to touch. They are often accompanied by whiteheads or blackheads. It can also cause your skin to become flaky. The flare ups caused by purging have a shorter lifespan than a breakout.
If you have acne-prone skin, it's good to come in every two weeks during acne breakouts. Once your skin clears, you can wait longer periods between visits.
Stimulating the skin through massage may help promote blood circulation and reduce the appearance of acne. Specific research that provides evidence of facial massage in improving acne is limited. Some people swear by doing an olive oil massage to treat acne.
LED Facial
LED facials emit a combination of white, red, and blue infrared light. These lights work on the tone, collagen, and bacteria in your skin. The goal of this type of light therapy is meant to fight against active acne and is ideal for people with sensitive skin.
Experiencing a few more breakouts is totally normal when starting a new acne treatment. The reason is that acne medications cause rapid destruction of acne bacteria, which can cause more inflammation and sometimes result in an initial "worsening" of the condition (sometimes called a "purge").
Skin purging refers to a reaction to an active ingredient that is increasing skin cell turnover in order to improve acne. When using prescription-strength acne medications, it's reasonably common for your skin to get worse before it gets better.
Purging: Located predominantly in a defined area where you already have frequent breakouts. Skin purging also clears up much faster than a pimple or reaction. Reaction-based breakout: You're getting breakouts in new areas where you don't often get pimples.
Should you talk during a facial? This is entirely your call. “It's your time to spend it however you feel,” says Rouleau. “If you want to talk about your skin or have an aesthetician be an ear for whatever is going on in your personal life, it's up to you.
Some ingredients and procedures may worsen symptoms. For this reason, people with inflammatory or severe acne should consult a dermatologist before getting a facial. Although they are not a cure, facials are often safe for people with mild, noninflammatory acne.
Shower before getting a treatment. It opens pores and aids the body's detoxification process. After a facial, do not shower or steam. Essential oils utilized in massages, as well as serums and lotions used during facials, will be undone.
Acne treatments — especially those that contain active ingredients like benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid — are drying and a bit harsh on your skin. If you use too many treatments at the same time, your skin may become irritated, and you may actually suffer more breakouts as a result.
How to treat skin purging. “If the skin barrier is compromised when you see purging then start ingredients which help with barrier repair, such as ceramides and hyaluronic acid in a non-comedogenic formulation. If you are using a treatment or product continue with a slower approach.”
Sudden acne breakouts can be because of numerous reasons, including hormonal changes or hormonal imbalance, an unhealthy diet including lots of deep fried and junk food, release of cortisol hormones because of excessive stress, excessive production of sebum and much more.
Skin purging is a process that happens when certain skincare ingredients increase skin cell turnover. This encourages shedding of old, dead cells and growth of new, healthy ones. Unfortunately, this process often makes the skin look worse before it looks better.
According to Dr Godse, excess sebum production (seborrhea) — meaning, your skin produces an oily substance in excess mainly due to hormonal disturbances — not following a skincare routine or even a genetic predisposition could lead to the onset of recurring acne. Why Is Your Skin Oily?