Those tiny bumps and black dots stubbornly residing on your nose, chin, and forehead – clogged pores- are a common skin concern. The urge to squeeze, peel, or scrub them away is strong, but are pore extractions actually good for you?
Let’s unclog the truth.
In theory, removing clogged pores offers several benefits:
* Improved Skin Appearance: Clearing out the buildup of sebum, dead skin cells, and debris can visibly reduce the appearance of blackheads (open comedones) and whiteheads (closed comedones), leading to a smoother and more even texture.
* Prevention of Breakouts: Clogged pores can lead to inflammatory acne. By removing the blockage, you can help prevent the trapped sebum and bacteria from escalating into infected pustules.
* Enhanced Product Absorption: When pores are clear, your skincare products have a better chance of penetrating the skin and delivering their intended benefits.
* Reduced Congestion: Removing the buildup can alleviate the feeling of congestion and roughness that often accompanies clogged pores.
The Potential Pitfalls of Improper Removal:
While the idea of clear pores is appealing, the method of removal is crucial. Improper techniques can actually do more harm than good:
* Inflammation and Redness: Aggressive squeezing or picking can irritate the skin, leading to redness, inflammation, and even broken capillaries.
* Infection: Introducing bacteria into the pore through unsanitized hands or tools can lead to infection and more significant breakouts.
* Scarring: Forcefully extracting clogged pores, especially deeper ones, can damage the surrounding tissue and potentially result in scarring and/or hyperpigmentation.
* Widened Pores: Repeated improper and aggressive squeezing can stretch the pore opening, making them appear larger over time.
So, are clogged pore extractions good for you? When done correctly, gently, and professionally, yes. A trained esthetician can perform extractions safely and effectively using sterile tools and techniques. They know how to target clogged pores without causing excessive trauma to the skin.
A deep-cleansing facial with extractions is considered the most effective method for cleaning out pores.
Here’s why:
Deep Cleansing: These facials go beyond the surface, helping to remove dirt, oil, and debris that can clog pores. Steaming helps soften the buildup and oils clogging the pores.
Exfoliation: They include exfoliation to remove dead skin cells, which contribute to the clogged pores. This can involve scrubs, enzymes, or chemical exfoliant boosts.
Extractions: This is the key step for directly addressing clogged pores. The esthetician will use specialized tools and/or manually remove blackheads, whiteheads, milia, pustules, and other impurities from your pores.
Professional advice: Leaving it to the professionals allows for proper treatment recommendation and service for your specific needs and skin type. In addition, this ensures you are placed with an esthetician experienced in performing the specific type of extraction required. In other words, some blemish types or sites may call for advanced skill and technique.
Other skin treatments that can be beneficial for treating clogged pores include:
Chemical Peels: Certain chemical peels, particularly those containing salicylic acid, can penetrate into the pores and help dissolve oil and debris.
Photo Facials: Light based treatments can help reduce inflammation and help raise and reduce deep or enlarged pores.
For immediate and noticeable results in clearing clogged pores, a deep cleansing facial with extractions is an excellent choice. Furthermore, treatments like chemical peels and photo facials can be beneficial for long-term improvement.
As if dealing with the emotional uppercut break-up thrusts your way isn’t enough, most of us will also experience changes in our physical appearance, including a decline of our skin health.
The endless nights of sobbing will leave your nose the colour of the sorrow-drowning wine you’ve guzzled. As a result, you can end up with broken capillaries in the nose area from crying.
Let us examine a common skin issue during this period.
REDNESS and BROKEN CAPILLARIES
For those of you that are prone to broken capillaries and Rosacea or Rosacea-like symptoms, your skin may flare up during this stressful period.
Soothing skin masks such as Soothing Gel Mask , are an excellent way to keep your skin calm and prevent further damage. This step will add hydration, calm redness and inflammation.
HOW-TO TIPS:
After a night of water work, try giving your skin a nice thorough cleanse with Gentle Cream Cleanser based cleanser, then follow up with soothing mask, focusing on the cheek and nose area, as these tend to be the most sensitive. You can also try storing your products in the fridge for added calming and cooling effect.
If the symptoms persist even after you broken heart has mended a great option is the ALIVIA IPL Photofacial. Not only will it help reduce the broken capillaries present in the skin from crying at the time of treatment, but it will also help reduce the severity of symptoms in the future. Book your ALIVIA IPL Photofacial .
Does crying contribute to wrinkles? The endless nights of sobbing will leave your eyeballs and under-eyes feeling like a bad rug burn. Your skin feels as tender as the heart that’s been shattered. Now take a moment, dry those tears and listen up!
Think of your skin as a reflection of the emotional storm brewing inside your body, it too is suffering with you and needs a little extra TLC. During times of distress we tend to stray away from our daily self-care routine as this drops down the list of priorities.
Let us examine a common skin issue during this period.
SENSITIVITY OR DRY SKIN AROUND THE EYES
The constant flow of tears, friction, and pressure on your eyes leaves your skin feeling tender and looking tired. This fragile skin is easily irritated and can become puffy or sunken, magnifying fine lines and wrinkles.
It is important to protect and nourish your eye area by using proper eye care products and application.
HOW-TO TIPS:
If you already using eye care, add an extra dab after applying moisturizer for added barrier. When applying, ensure you are only applying on the ocular bone using your ring fingers in a dabbing motion. Use day and night before applying your moisturizer, and possibly once in between if your eyes are feeling really dry.
Keep products in a cool dark cupboard or fridge for added soothing effects. Once products are cool give yourself a gentle eye massage. This should help keep wrinkles away after some heavy crying.
For those of you going through this emotional rollercoaster, you may find tyou may find that sometimes breakups cause acne. Your complexion starts to resemble the pepperoni pizza you’ve been stuffing your face with. We may not be able to mend a broken heart, but we sure can help you mend a broken complexion…
Poor diet, skin hygiene, lack of sleep, constant crying, and nervous habits take control of your skin, so what can you do to help your skin through this time? Let us examine a common skin issue during this period.
ACNE or BLEMISHES
This can be one of the worst things that can happen to your skin during this period. Not only does it take a toll on your self-esteem, but it can leave you scarred for weeks. Diet can play a role in this department, so if you know there are certain foods or food groups that cause you to break out; this is the time to AVOID them.
If your skin has already taken a turn for the worst, you can help reduce and heal the damage by following a regular skin care routine.
HOW-TO TIPS:
Start off with a fresh cleanse using the Purifying Gel Cleanser in the morning, and finish your day with a double cleanse in the evening.
If you normally have a normal or combination skin, use Purifying Gel Cleanser for your evening wash only.
Spot treatment are also great for a quick fix, just be sure to stick only to the areas affected as these products have a higher concentration of active ingredients and can have an extremely drying effect on the skin. Take a small amount of the Daily Polishing Cleanser and rub into a paste, leave on overnight. The salicylic acid will help banish blemish!
A relaxing facial will treat your skin and mind to a much needed “me time”. Your skin will feel refreshed and nurtured after having been purged of the impurities, build-up, and infused with nutrients.
Waxing is great because you get a smooth finish that lasts for weeks. Knowing how to prep for your Brazilian wax will minimize anxiety and discomfort. We have some tips on making your bikini wax as pleasant as can be.
How to prep for your brazilian wax
What to wear? We recommend wearing loose fitted bottoms including pants and underwear. Breathable fabrics, for example, cotton, help sooth after your service. Avoid items like thongs or g-strings, bring on the granny panties.
What to do? Gently exfoliate the area 24 hours prior to your appointment. Exfoliation is important in preventing ingrown hairs, so make sure you are doing so at least twice a week. This is specially great for those prone to ingrown hairs or major irritation.
Does it hurt? Most clients are able to get through their appointment just fine, however, waxing can be painful in sensitive areas. You may take an anti-inflammatory 30 minutes prior to your appointment to reduce discomfort and inflammation following your visit.
Waxing requires 24 hours downtime, therefore, we recommend booking your appointment accordingly- no swimming, sweating, fragranced products, or sun exposure.
Booking your appointment at just the right length
Ensure your pubic hair is at least ¼ inch long prior to your brazilian wax service . Even though waxing is a common esthetics service, it is not without contraindications.
If your hair is longer than ¼ inch , we recommend trimming your hair down to ¼ inch to lessen discomfort during your waxing appointment.
Your esthetician will review your health history prior to starting your service. This will reveal any health conditions, medications, products, or allergies that may present safety concerns with the delivery of the service.
