The advances in technology have led to more and more treatments that improve active acne and the blemishes it leaves behind. Aside from the plethora of skincare and make-up products, we now also have the choice to go beauty treatments. From facials to peels to lasers to extraction, the choices are dizzying.
But just how effective are these beauty treatments at helping clear out our complexion? You might be surprised to find the truth behind some commonly-held beliefs about physical treatments.
Scrubbing is the best way to clean the skin.
A lot of physical beauty treatments offered in spas and salons focus on some form of physical rubbing to improve skin tone. It makes sense--a face clear from oil, dirt, and dead skin cells is bound to be healthier.
But there are better ways to do this. Harsh physical treatments that abrade the skin can do more harm than good. We have to remove the idea that our skin needs to be whipped into shape and punished for making us feel bad.
Dermatologists advocate for the opposite: mild products and gentle handling are the best ways to prevent zits from popping up. This stems from the fact that acne is an inflammatory disease. Any form of irritation, especially for sensitive and actively inflamed skin, is much more likely to make things worse.
Physically extracting comedones will prevent acne.
If you derive a strange sense of pleasure from watching videos of blackhead extractions, you’re not alone. There is something so satisfying about seeing a clogged pore get unclogged in one fell swoop. But this doesn’t mean that physical extraction is the best way to go.
While most of us don’t have shockingly large comedones that have developed over years, we still derive satisfaction from uprooting those slivers of oil and dead skin cells. Whether it’s through at-home pore strips and peel-off face masks, or comedone extraction at a dermatology clinic, it feels both good to see the gunk in your pores removed.
But we have to remember that physically unplugging comedones is a short-term solution. It will require one or two sessions, but the effect will last from a couple of weeks tops.
It’s also important to note that comedone extraction can irritate the skin. And further irritation could aggravate pimples.
Many dermatologists recommend the use of chemical exfoliators and non-comedolytic products to help minimize blackheads and whiteheads. It may take time before you see a significant difference, but the results are long-term with consistent use. Even people who undergo manual extraction are given products for maintenance so the comedones don’t recur.
Beauty treatments are safe for everyone.
A lot of beauty treatments are readily available in your neighborhood salon or spa. This might give you the idea that you can go anytime to get any kind of beauty treatment, but note that there are considerations that should be taken to ensure that the procedure is safe.
It is important to note that some beauty treatments are not suitable for certain skin conditions. For example, physical exfoliation is generally contraindicated for those who have had isotretinoin therapy in the last 6 months, or who suffer from diseases like rosacea, cold sores, or dermatitis, and active acne. You should also be aware of what you need to do after you get the procedure done. For example certain beauty treatments, like photodynamic therapy, will require you to stay out of the sun for two full days immediately after the session.
If not done properly, beauty treatments can result in scarring, hyperpigmentation, increasingly severe acne, among others. The best way to ensure that the beauty treatment you want won’t cause your skin any harm is to be picky about who you hire to do it. It’s best to visit a licensed dermatologist or licensed aesthetician, as they have the background and training necessary to keep your skin safe. They can tell you whether the procedure is beneficial for your skin condition, ask you relevant questions on your medical history to make sure there are no ugly surprises, and give you proper advice on how to take care of your skin post-treatment.
Regular beauty treatments are a must for glowing skin.
With the marketing that beauty treatments get, it is easy to think that regular visits to the salon or spa can make or break good skin. But this is simply not the case.
The acne solutions that dermatologists reach for are mostly those that you can do yourself at home. These involve topical products or, in more severe cases, systemic drugs. Many people experience skin clearing even without getting regular beauty treatments.
Most procedures use physical manipulation of the skin to remove impurities, which is a big no-no for those with active zits. Inflammatory acne is likely to flare up even more with rough handling. Remember: treating your skin kindly and gently is the best way to get it to behave.
That being said, people with comedonal acne (a.k.a. those who mostly suffer from blackheads and whiteheads) may benefit from beauty procedures. Same goes for those who have gotten acne under control but are now left to deal with the hyperpigmentation and uneven texture that follows.
Do your research so you have an idea about which procedures will make the most headway with your target skin problem. Then seek the advice and expertise of licensed skin care professionals who offer those services. Once you’ve made your pick, follow their post-treatment advice and reap the benefits of the innovative beauty treatments for your skin!
This content is for general information only and is not a substitute for medical advice.
Resources:
https://dermnetnz.org/topics/dermabrasion/
https://www.acne.org/is-getting-a-facial-good-for-acne.html
https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/acne/derm-treat/lasers-lights
Oon, H. H., Wong, S. N., Aw, D., Cheong, W. K., Goh, C. L., & Tan, H. H. (2019). Acne Management Guidelines by the Dermatological Society of Singapore. The Journal of clinical and aesthetic dermatology, 12(7), 34–50.
Shah M, Crane JS. Microdermabrasion. [Updated 2020 May 4]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2020 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK535383/
