Are Facial Extractions Good For The Skin? | Shens Therapeutics

Pores, we all have them. As we work through our daily activities, our skin can get exposed to unwanted debris, dirt and further clogged with sebum and dead skin. For anyone who is looking to unclog their pores, there is nothing more satisfying than a good extraction.

According to HuffPost, many dermatologists agree that facial extraction can be beneficial for our skin as it helps to clear up the skin and help acne heal more quickly by extracting the gunk. This extraction process may involve special tools or sometimes using hands to apply pressure around a clogged pore to help release what’s inside.

However, many individuals still can’t agree on whether squeezing or popping the pimple filled with dead skin and oil is actually a good idea. We all know the general rule that one should never attempt to squeeze, pick, pull, prod a pimple, blackheads or whiteheads themselves as these actions could cause visible skin damage. While it may be tempting and ‘rewarding’ to make the unsightly bumps go away on your own, you should never proceed with any DIY facial extraction unless you know the correct method for your skin. Thus, you need to know which blemishes are ripe for popping and which ones should be left alone.

With the above information, you may be questioning the difference between getting it done by professionals and yourself and whether facial extraction is actually truly good for your skin? Forthwith, Shens Therapeutics is here to answer them all. Yes, we understand that this is a topic with two opposing camps and no middle ground — One person’s pinnacle of cleanliness is another’s trauma to the skin.

Before we dive head (or nose) first into the world of extractions, we first need to understand what facial extraction is.

What is facial extraction?

For those unfamiliar with the term, facial extractions involve removing dead skin cells, debris, and other gunk found in the skin, which tends to cause blemishes. In short, dermatologists, estheticians or skin experts are typically the ones that you can trust to perform the facial extractions.

Should you perform facial extraction on your own?

As a general rule of thumb, we would recommend individuals not perform facial extractions on their own. If not done right, when you squeeze the skin to extract unwanted gunk from the bump (pimple, blackhead and whitehead), you’re creating a tear in the skin that can stretch the elasticity around the pores, making the pores wider and larger. Pulling and pressing the pores weakens them. This damages the skin fibers like collagen and elastin. Once the pores are stretched out, they’ll never return to their original shape, which is irreversible damage.

According to the American Academy of Dermatology Association, do-it-yourself facial extractions can often backfire. The blackhead or pimple you are trying to extract by yourself can often pop inwards, causing more inflammation to the skin and further scarring.

Further, individuals may not correctly identify the skin problem they are facing and use the wrong technique or non-sterile instruments to extract the facial bumps. This risk of causing scars and getting an infection from the bacteria on your hands.

Get it done professionally

From pimples to blackheads, whiteheads, milia seeds and cysts, facial extraction is best carried by a trained professional to minimise chances of further inflammation or permanent scarring. It is noted by the American Academy of Dermatology Association that there are specific types of skin problems that require a variety of techniques to physically get rid of the problematic skin issue which you are currently facing.

For example, one is called acne extraction, which involves using sterile instruments to get rid of blackheads and whiteheads. At the same time, dermatologists use another technique to get rid of a deep, painful cystic acne or nodule. To do this, a dermatologist will inject the blemish with a corticosteroid (corticosteroids are a type of anti-inflammatory steroid drug). This technique can help to speed healing and reduce the risk of scarring.

Other than the above, to remove large pimples or cystic acne, the skin expert may also use a procedure called incision and drainage. It involves using a sterile needle or surgical blade to open the blemish and then removing what’s inside.

Blackheads extracted by professionals too?

While the above information covers the extraction for pimples, NetDoctor UK also agrees that one should never squeeze or extract blackheads on their own as squeezing a spot can push the inflammation deeper, and this can cause scarring of the skin.

With that, individuals can get a trained professional to extract blackheads using the ‘extractor’ tool or through procedures such as steam extraction, light chemical peels such as mandelic acid, using pore strips, and exfoliation to keep the blackheads at bay.

So, is facial extraction good for the skin?

All in all, when done correctly, facial extractions can have countless benefits for your skin in the short and long term. So yes, facial extraction can help you achieve a clearer complexion by minimising the appearance of pores and removing all the unwanted gunk to prevent future breakouts.

Here are some of the primary benefits of facial extractions.

Removes blackheads and whiteheads
Prevents future breakouts
Faster healing from breakouts
Improve product absorption
Clearer complexion

Summary

In short, facial extraction can certainly benefit you if it is done correctly. When your pores are clear from any congestion, your skin will be free from the regular buildups of sebum, dead skin cells or debris, which help your skin absorb the nutrients from the skincare products better.

Hence, if you require professional help with facial extraction, feel free to contact our customer support team at Shens Therapeutics via our hotline or WhatsApp. Our trained skin experts and therapists will be able to address your skin concerns and help you regain your natural glow.

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September 2021