What's Covered on This Page
- How an Extraction Facial Changes Your Skin
- Who Should Get an Extraction Facial?
- How To Prepare Your Skin Before An Extraction Facial
- Step By Step: How Your Extraction Facial Treatment Session Will Go at Our Murrells Inlet Office
- What should I do to prepare for an extraction facial in Murrells Inlet?
- Does the humid coastal air in Murrells Inlet make clogged pores worse?
- Is an extraction facial safe for sensitive skin?
- How is a professional extraction facial different from doing it at home?
- What happens to my skin right after an extraction facial?
- How often should I book an extraction facial to keep my skin clear?
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How an Extraction Facial Changes Your Skin
When you come in for an extraction facial, chances are you think we're just popping your pimples. We aren't.
As you go about your daily life, your pores accumulate oil, dead skin cells, and other debris. As that material builds up, it becomes harder to remove from your pores. It forms blackheads, whiteheads, and deep clogged pores that can only be felt by touch. Our extraction facial removes all of those materials from every one of your pores manually, not via guessing.
We're not guessing. We can see exactly what needs to come out, and how deep to go without damaging your skin.
Here's what occurs during an extraction facial:
- We cleanse your skin to eliminate surface impurities and makeup.
- Next, we steam your face to open your pores, usually for ten minutes, which allows any material trapped within them to soften.
- Using sterile tools, we apply gentle pressure to each of your clogged pores to clear out the material.
- A calming treatment goes on right after to reduce redness and close pores back down.
- Finally, we apply a protective layer that prevents bacteria from infecting the pores as they heal.
Performing an extraction facial requires a trained hand. If too much pressure is placed on your face, it may bruise. And if the tools aren't placed at the correct angles, it's easy to cause scarring. This is why you should never attempt extracting your clogged pores at home in front of a bathroom mirror (we see it all the time here in Murrells Inlet, so you know it really happens).
Now, what exactly does that mean for your skin? By removing that buildup, we make your pores cleaner, which allows for better absorption from your other facial care products. The reduced congestion means that fewer future blemishes are formed. Your skin begins to immediately appear smoother and more even.
And through continued sessions, it can lead to reduced pores and an overall reduction in recurring congestion, particularly around the jawline and nose.
We have this happen to our clients all the time. They come in telling us that no matter what they've tried from home, their blemishes won't disappear. We then perform one extraction facial, and they can literally tell the difference by running their hands over their face.
However, the real benefit is that extraction facials remove trapped debris and help prevent bacterial infections and other factors which cause cystic acne. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, professional extractions done correctly lower the risk of post-inflammatory scarring. That is especially helpful if you have acne and persistent congestion.
An extraction facial is one of the esthetics and facial services at Jolie Visage in Murrells Inlet. If you are considering more than one treatment, we will help you build a plan that fits your goals.
Who Should Get an Extraction Facial?
We have different skin types, conditions, and needs. This is something we say every day to clients at our practice here in Murrells Inlet.
An extraction facial can be performed for many skin types, and certain skin types respond quickly to them.
Oily skin often sees the best and fastest results. Excess sebum clogs pores quickly in our humid coastal air, and an extraction facial can remove that buildup all at once. We see the most dramatic results with clients who have visible blackheads on the nose, chin or forehead area.
However, those aren't the only clients that benefit from our extractions treatment. These are the conditions we treat most commonly:
- Congested combination skin, with clogged pores, especially in the T-zone area, and dryness, particularly in the cheek areas.
- Milia, those tiny white bumps, that won't budge and can't be popped with at-home treatments.
- Non-inflamed acne, blackheads and closed comedones (small under-surface bumps).
- Dull, textured skin that feels rough to the touch.
- Hormonal breakouts, acne breakouts that show up along the jawline and chin and leave deep plugged pores behind.
We also find that a number of our Garden City clients think their skin is too sensitive for extractions. More often than not, we find that their skin tolerates these procedures quite well. Our approach is always to soften the pore contents before any extractions occur. Our extractions are preceded by facial steam as well as the use of enzyme solutions.
The idea here is to that we never have to "force out" anything.
Extractions may not be the best treatment option for some skin types however. For instance, inflamed skin or cystic acne breakouts should be treated differently. We won't extract inflamed pustules or deep cysts. That can cause scarring and spread bacteria.
When clients show up with a case of active, inflammatory acne, it is more advisable that we recommend that they first try an acne treatment, and then follow up with extractions when their acne becomes less severe.
Additionally, mature skin can also show improvement from this treatment as pores enlarge over time and can become more prone to trapping debris, causing skin to look older and duller than it really is. Clearing these enlarged pores can give skin an instantly more youthful appearance. Finally, you don't need skin trouble to have an extraction treatment done, we actually find a good amount of our Murrells Inlet clients book an extraction facial to prevent future breakouts from occurring and maintain smooth, youthful looking skin in between appointments.
How To Prepare Your Skin Before An Extraction Facial
Preparing your skin in the 48 hours prior to your extraction facial can actually make a significant difference in the quality of your results as well as in the reduction of irritation in the hours and days following the treatment.
We ask all of our clients to avoid using any active ingredients on the skin two days prior to treatment (retinol, glycolic acid, vitamin C). These ingredients remove the top layers of your skin and can cause excessive irritation when we begin extractions. Ideally, your skin will be calm and relaxed by the time you sit down in our chair.
Prep Basics on The Day of
If you are able to, please arrive to your appointment with a bare face - no makeup, no sunscreen, and no heavy moisturizers. We will start out by cleansing the skin, but coming in bare-faced allows us to hit the ground running. If you are coming straight from the beach or out for a day of shopping in the Inlet, a light rinse is just enough.
Here are some additional tips for preparation:
- Drink plenty of water. Drink lots of water the day before so your skin is softer and your pores open up more easily.
- Do not pick at your skin; we see this all the time. By squeezing a spot the night before, this causes swelling which we then have to work around.
- Avoid the sun for at least 24 hours. Sunburned skin cannot tolerate extractions safely.
- Refrain from using exfoliating scrubs at least two days before. Let us do this part.
Also, if you are taking any type of acne medication, be sure and let us know in advance. There are medications like oral retinoids that affect how your skin will react to our extraction treatment. You do not want this to be a last-minute revelation so we can plan accordingly. These clients who prepare ahead have a shorter experience and much less downtime.
There is no reason this should be hard, and this is something you should do, and it won't be long. Have questions about your current skin care regimen? Do you need to do anything differently prior to your facial treatment in Murrells Inlet? Call our office.
Our Murrells Inlet team will talk you through this daily and can answer phone calls to answer any questions. We want you feeling confident and prepared.
Need help with extraction facial?
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Step By Step: How Your Extraction Facial Treatment Session Will Go at Our Murrells Inlet Office
So you made the decision. And now you're in the chair. But what now?
We always have the same protocol for our clients and knowing what to expect will make it easy. So, here is our breakdown of what your Extraction Facial Session at our Murrells Inlet office looks like:
- Cleansing and analyzing. Our aesthetician will first double cleanse your face to remove sunscreen, makeup, surface oils and other impurities. Next, we will analyze your skin by examining it under a magnifying lamp. We're looking for where your congestion is and how deep it penetrates into your pores.
- Steaming and softening. Warm steam is used to soften the skin and open the pores for about 10 minutes. Most people at this stage say that they're ready to sleep. That's okay because your skin will respond much better to treatment when it is relaxed.
- Skin prep. A lightweight enzyme solution will be applied to break up dead skin cells that are clogging your pores. This is one of the reasons why trying to extract at home is never recommended because this debris has to have proper preparation before removing.
- Extraction! Using sterile tools and gloved hands, we perform extractions in small sections of the face (nose, chin, forehead, jawline) by applying equal pressure around the follicle opening. We do not force anything, and if a blackhead or whitehead is not ready to release its contents, we will make a note of it for your next appointment.
- Cooling and protecting. Once all of the extractions are complete, a soothing serum will be used to calm any redness, followed by a hydrating mask for a few minutes to soothe and reduce inflammation.
- Finish up with an SPF treatment. After all of the previous treatments have been completed, a lightweight, broad spectrum sunscreen will be applied to protect your skin before you leave our office.
Your extraction facial will be about 60 minutes. "The extraction part doesn't hurt that much at all!" 9 out of 10 of our clients tell us this. That's why we never rush through it. Rushed extractions mean bruising, broken blood vessels, and scarring.
Our team knows all the right moves for every skin type that walks in here in Murrells Inlet. When to apply pressure, when to stop. You will look a little pink right afterwards, though this usually goes away within a few hours. By the next morning, you will notice your skin looks a bit clearer.
Your pores will appear smaller and your skin texture will be smoother. A good cleanser cannot clean your pores like the extraction facial can!
What does your skin look like after the treatment and how soon will the results show up? To be completely honest, you're going to look a little red after the extraction facial. It's very common and it does fade fast. Most of our Murrells Inlet clients go home with skin that appears to be flushed or like they've just gotten sunburned, but not for a long time.
Depending on how extensive the extractions are, there may be tiny red spots on some areas of your face. This will usually go away by the next morning and within 48 hours you will begin to notice the difference. We hear this time and time again, give the facial a few hours! The best results you will have is after 24-48 hours, but if you do the treatment every month or so, the results will only continue getting better with each session:
- First 1-6 hours: mild redness and swelling, skin feels a bit sensitive and cleaned out
- Day 1-2: Skin looks less red and pores seem less visible, skin feels less oily to the touch.
- Day 3-5: Small extractions start to disappear, a healthy, natural glow appears
- Week 2: Many clients say this is when their skin looks the best for months!
The results may not be as noticeable right away depending on the type of congestion in your skin. For example, if you've been having the same issues on the chin or jawline for months and months, that is a lot to treat with one session. However, a few sessions every 4 weeks will get you results. But if your main concern is blackheads and clogged pores on your face, especially from being outside near the MarshWalk, then you will likely see big results from one session!
One tip we always remind our clients is not to touch your skin! It's going to do it's thing, so just let it. Don't wear makeup the first 24 hours. Wear SPF every day this week!
After a facial treatment, especially a deep pore cleaning with extractions, the skin will be more sensitive to the sun and need extra protection for several days. Finally, many of our clients tell us that the best part of an extraction facial is that their skin looks and feels less rough than it did before the treatment. Not only will the pores appear to be smaller and cleaner but the skin feels softer. The products you're using will absorb better after this, and your foundation will go on much smoother!
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about extraction facial services in Murrells Inlet
What should I do to prepare for an extraction facial in Murrells Inlet?
Stop using retinol, glycolic acid, and vitamin C serums at least 48 hours before your appointment. These thin your skin and make extractions more irritating. Show up with a clean, bare face if you can. Skip exfoliating scrubs and avoid sun exposure the day before. If you've been out on the water or running errands around the Inlet, just rinse with water before you come in. That simple prep makes a real difference in your results and recovery time.
Does the humid coastal air in Murrells Inlet make clogged pores worse?
Yes, it absolutely does. The humidity along the coast speeds up oil production and traps more debris in your pores. That's why so many people in Murrells Inlet deal with persistent blackheads and congestion even when they wash their face regularly. Regular extraction facials help manage that buildup before it hardens and turns into stubborn breakouts. Monthly sessions work well for most clients who live or spend a lot of time near the water.
Is an extraction facial safe for sensitive skin?
Yes, sensitive skin can handle extractions when the skin is prepped correctly first. We soften pore contents with steam and enzyme solutions before applying any pressure. That way nothing gets forced. Most clients who come in worried about sensitivity do just fine. The key is telling us about your skin before we start so we can adjust the pressure and tools we use. Properly done extractions should not tear, bruise, or scar your skin.
How is a professional extraction facial different from doing it at home?
A professional uses sterile tools, the right angle, and controlled pressure so your skin doesn't get damaged. At home, you're guessing. Too much pressure bruises the tissue. The wrong angle can cause scarring. We also use steam to open pores first, which makes the contents release cleanly instead of being forced out. We regularly see clients who have made breakouts worse trying to extract at home. One professional session usually clears more than weeks of DIY attempts.
What happens to my skin right after an extraction facial?
Some redness and minor sensitivity are normal for a few hours after your session. We apply a calming treatment right after extractions to reduce irritation and close pores back down. Most people look and feel noticeably clearer by the next morning. Avoid makeup, heavy creams, and sun exposure for at least 24 hours after your appointment. Don't pick at your skin during that window either. Your pores are open and healing, and keeping them clean gives you the best results.
How often should I book an extraction facial to keep my skin clear?
Most people in Murrells Inlet see the best results coming in once a month. That's about how long it takes for new buildup to form and harden in your pores. If your skin is oily or you deal with frequent breakouts, monthly sessions keep congestion from getting ahead of you. If your skin is more balanced, every six to eight weeks may be enough. We'll tell you after your first session what schedule makes the most sense for your skin.