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.
It's also normal to have a breakout in the form of pimples or rashes after a facial treatment. It's the skin's external way to detoxify, ridding itself of toxins and impurities to reveal a more luminous skin.
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.
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.
“A breakout from a purge is likely to show up and then disappear in about five days.” The caveat: That's if you don't touch it and let your skin heal itself. To that point…
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.
"When doing a lot of extractions to clear out bumps, sometimes not all of the lodged oil will come out and because we don't force anything that doesn't want to come out, some purging can occur a day or two after a facial as the pore does its own self-cleaning," explains Rouleau.
Acne facials should exclude steps or procedures that can further irritate the skin and worsen symptoms, including microdermabrasion, scrubs, and massage. To reduce the risk of side effects, only dermatologists or highly skilled or licensed estheticians should perform extractions, chemical peels, or light therapies.
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.
Acne extraction is the process of clearing a clogged or compacted pore with the help of special, sterile tools. They are often performed as part of a facial and can help you get rid of problem pimples. They help to clear out all of the unwanted gunk inside of your pores, including dirt, makeup, sweat, and excess sebum.
Setting those factors aside, the general recommendation is for a facial every three to four weeks or once a month. That's how long your skin's life cycle is. After three or four weeks, your skin cells grow back. Facials help this process and assure your skin always glows.
As you can see, facials have long term benefits. You will see an immediate glow and feel hydrated for 3 days. After that, your body starts to "follow-up" on the work we do together during a treatment.
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.
Patients can see changes in their appearance after just one session. Your skin will need a brief recovery period that can take up to three weeks, but once this period passes, you'll begin to notice a smoother texture and more even tone.
Although — depending on the type you sign up for — they can definitely set you back a significant chunk of change, facials restore life, buoyancy, and resilience to your skin unlike anything else, so they're worth splurging on — if not every month, at least once per season.
Skin care professionals recommend that people have a qualified facial every three or four weeks. This is how long it takes the skin to pass through the full life cycle of skin cell development and exfoliation. The facial helps the cycle along. The product should keep your skin smooth, clean and toned.
Understand that it's normal
“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.
Purging is slightly different, appearing on the skin mostly as blackheads or small skin-coloured bumps just under the surface of the skin. But it is also possible for purging to cause similar spots to a breakout, too.
The purge phase usually lasts for two to six weeks. But, it can vary depending on the skin. It can range from minor pimples to cystic acne, as well as dryness, redness, and peeling.
Skin purging is when a new skincare product causes the skin to break out, flake, or peel. Skin purging is different from a regular breakout because it will resolve in about six weeks. To ease skin purging, moisturize, wear SPF, and gradually introduce new products.
Skin purging is when your skin is adjusting to the new product. Spots appear where you frequently get them and they go away faster than a normal pimple. Purging is a sign that the product is working and you should continue with the treatment as prescribed.
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.”