What To Expect from an Acne Treatment Facial
Updated May 19, 2014.
Written or reviewed by a board-certified physician. See About.com's Medical Review Board.
You'll see them at on the menu at nearly every skin spa and medi-spa. They're also a common offering at the dermatology office and acne clinic. But what exactly is an acne facial? And will acne facials help to clear your skin?
Acne facials are professional treatments that deeply cleanse and exfoliate the skin while clearing out breakout-causing debris from the pores. Your facial will be done by an esthetician (or skin care therapists).
Exactly what your facial treatment entails will vary, depending on where you have your treatment done, but most acne facials include the following steps:
Some acne facial treatments also incorporate other procedures like chemical peels, microdermabrasion, laser resurfacing and light treatments.
Depending on where you go, an acne facial treatment can vary widely. Facials done at the dermatologist's office or acne treatment clinic are generally no-frills, more therapeutic than luxurious.
In-office facials are done by a trained therapist under the supervision of a dermatologist, and utilize pharmeceutical-grade treatments rather than the cosmetic products available at the skin spa. Here you can have done stronger chemical peels, light and laser treatments, and other procedures that fall outside the realm of what an esthetician alone can do.
During an in-office or clinic facial, a strong focus is put on extracting breakout-causing debris from the pores, deep exfoliation, and reducing inflammation.
In-office facial treatments are appropriate for all types of acne, but especially for severe acne or cystic breakouts.
Acne facials done at the skin spa or day spa are decidedly more pampering. You'll get the total spa experience -- soft music, scented candles, fluffy robes, and a neck massage to boot.
During your day spa facial, you'll also get pore-cleansing extractions done, along with deep cleansing and exfoliation treatments. While an esthetician working at a day spa is precluded from performing medical treatments, she can do light-duty chemical peels, microdermabrasion, photo facials and other superficial skin care procedures.
At the day spa, you can also opt for add-on treatments for both your face and body. If a massage, body wrap, or salt glow strikes your fancy, you can have that done along with your acne facial.
Day spa facials are most appropriate if you have mild acne or blackheads, although if your esthetician is skilled you may also see an improvement in moderate breakouts.
No matter where you get your facial done, you need to have realistic expectations on what an acne facial can do. They won't clear up acne in just one or two sessions.
In fact, unless your acne is fairly minor, acne facials alone won't clear up your skin. Acne facial can be used in conjunction with your regular acne treatment, but they shouldn't be your only acne treatment.
Make sure you tell your therapist about every medication you're using before your treatment begins. Your esthetician will ask prior to treatment anyway, but it's a good idea to make a mental note of everything that you're using before you head to the salon.
And, if you're seeing a dermatologist, always get the OK before you book your facial.
Enjoy your facial treatment!
Next Steps: Want to learn more? Before you book your first facial appointment, make sure to check out the articles and videos below.
Do Acne Facials Really Work?
Treating Acne at the Medi-Spa
Video: Watch What Happens During a Facial
Video: Watch Extractions Being Performed
Facial Treatment Basics
Source: Gerson, Joel; Ph.D.. Standard Textbook for Professional Estheticians. 8th edition. Albany, NY: Milady Publishing, 1999.
Written or reviewed by a board-certified physician. See About.com's Medical Review Board.
You'll see them at on the menu at nearly every skin spa and medi-spa. They're also a common offering at the dermatology office and acne clinic. But what exactly is an acne facial? And will acne facials help to clear your skin?
Acne facials are professional treatments that deeply cleanse and exfoliate the skin while clearing out breakout-causing debris from the pores. Your facial will be done by an esthetician (or skin care therapists).
Exactly what your facial treatment entails will vary, depending on where you have your treatment done, but most acne facials include the following steps:
- Cleansing
- Exfoliation
- Steaming of the face
- Extractions
- Facial mask
- Toner
- Finish with a light moisturizer
Some acne facial treatments also incorporate other procedures like chemical peels, microdermabrasion, laser resurfacing and light treatments.
Depending on where you go, an acne facial treatment can vary widely. Facials done at the dermatologist's office or acne treatment clinic are generally no-frills, more therapeutic than luxurious.
In-office facials are done by a trained therapist under the supervision of a dermatologist, and utilize pharmeceutical-grade treatments rather than the cosmetic products available at the skin spa. Here you can have done stronger chemical peels, light and laser treatments, and other procedures that fall outside the realm of what an esthetician alone can do.
During an in-office or clinic facial, a strong focus is put on extracting breakout-causing debris from the pores, deep exfoliation, and reducing inflammation.
In-office facial treatments are appropriate for all types of acne, but especially for severe acne or cystic breakouts.
Acne facials done at the skin spa or day spa are decidedly more pampering. You'll get the total spa experience -- soft music, scented candles, fluffy robes, and a neck massage to boot.
During your day spa facial, you'll also get pore-cleansing extractions done, along with deep cleansing and exfoliation treatments. While an esthetician working at a day spa is precluded from performing medical treatments, she can do light-duty chemical peels, microdermabrasion, photo facials and other superficial skin care procedures.
At the day spa, you can also opt for add-on treatments for both your face and body. If a massage, body wrap, or salt glow strikes your fancy, you can have that done along with your acne facial.
Day spa facials are most appropriate if you have mild acne or blackheads, although if your esthetician is skilled you may also see an improvement in moderate breakouts.
No matter where you get your facial done, you need to have realistic expectations on what an acne facial can do. They won't clear up acne in just one or two sessions.
In fact, unless your acne is fairly minor, acne facials alone won't clear up your skin. Acne facial can be used in conjunction with your regular acne treatment, but they shouldn't be your only acne treatment.
Make sure you tell your therapist about every medication you're using before your treatment begins. Your esthetician will ask prior to treatment anyway, but it's a good idea to make a mental note of everything that you're using before you head to the salon.
And, if you're seeing a dermatologist, always get the OK before you book your facial.
Enjoy your facial treatment!
Next Steps: Want to learn more? Before you book your first facial appointment, make sure to check out the articles and videos below.
Do Acne Facials Really Work?
Treating Acne at the Medi-Spa
Video: Watch What Happens During a Facial
Video: Watch Extractions Being Performed
Facial Treatment Basics
Source: Gerson, Joel; Ph.D.. Standard Textbook for Professional Estheticians. 8th edition. Albany, NY: Milady Publishing, 1999.
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