Acne Facial Overview
If you suffer from problematic acne, you are likely frustrated and in search of a product or “quick fix” that will help you clear up your breakouts and move on with your life. One treatment option that you should consider is the acne facial – a specially designed facial that addresses the root causes of acne and works to correct your current problems areas.
Acne facials are targeted specifically for deep cleansing of the face in order to help “heal” the acne that you have and prevent new occurrences of acne.
The Method
While there are several good acne facial cleansing masks on the market, having your acne facial in a salon is somewhat different (and likely more effective). In the salon (or oftentimes in the dermatologist’s office) an esthetician (person who does facials) will begin by using either a mask, massage or streaming treatment to cleanse the face, and will then apply the targeted acne facial. The esthetician may also use various products that benefit the skin by removing dead skin cells, providing hydrations, reducing the amount of surface oil on the skin, or to soothe the skin.
During the acne facial, the esthetician will manually unclog your pores and remove blackheads and comedones that you might have. This type of manual extraction can work to clear excess oil and debris from cells that cause acne. If you have inflamed, cystic type acne, the acne facial at a salon is not for you, and can worsen your condition. After your acne facial, your esthetician will recommend products for you to use at home that are made specifically for your type of acne.
Precautions
Before deciding on an acne facial, there are some precautions you should take. As mentioned earlier, you shouldn’t allow an esthetician to attempt to extract inflamed cystic acne lesions – this can cause a worsening of the condition and should only be done by a dermatologist. Estheticians are not qualified to undertake such a procedure. There are various acne facials that might benefit those with cystic acne.
If you are under the care of a dermatologist, you should check with your dermatologist prior to undergoing an acne facial to get his or her approval. The reason for this is that some of the medications that you may be taking/using can interact with procedures like vigorous exfoliation; as an example, Accutane, Retain A, Differin, and others. Always consult with your dermatologist before going for an acne facial.
At Home Facials – Masks, Scrubs, and Cleansers
Some people choose to do an acne facial at home, either by themselves or with the help of another person. The at home facial usually involves the use of a facial mask. Facial masks can be the peel-off variety which goes on as a “gel”, then dries with time (usually around 15-30 minutes) and is then peeled off. Other masks may be like “clay” – and go on with a creamy texture that hardens and is left on for a period of time before being washed off.
Neither of these types of masks are ideal for those who might have inflamed acne cysts or nodules; these products may worsen the acne or cause further irritation. If you have acne, it is recommended that you use these types of at home acne masks twice weekly; be careful to not use acne masks more than recommended. This can cause your condition to become more severe.
For tips on facial mask selection, please read our article, How to Pick an Acne Mask.
At home facials might also involve the use of acne facial scrubs. Facial scrubs are not masks, but are used like a cleanser to scrub your face. Unlike cleansers, however, a scrub should not be used every day. Two to three times each week is the most that an acne scrub should be used. Scrubs are not recommended for severe cases of acne – such as cystic acne or if you have a number of whiteheads.
Acne cleansers should be used twice daily in most instances (or as directed by your dermatologist or health care provider). Acne cleansers work to remove bacteria and excess oil, and can be prescription strength or over-the-counter (OTC).
We discuss finding the right cleanser for your particular acne problem in our article, How to Pick an Acne Facial Cleanser. In addition to using an acne facial cleanser or mask, you can also elect to use an at-home facial sauna steamer. These machines generate steam; you simply lean into the steam and allow it to work its magic, opening your pores for better, more effective cleansing.
