Question: What's the point of a facial that doesn't include extractions? Isn't cleaning your pores the main goal?
Answer: For younger patients with oily/combination skin, extractions may be a top priority, but there are lots of skin types for which extractions are too aggressive or unnecessary altogether. "Clients that have mature skin and are looking for firming, lifting and anti-wrinkle benefits, or clients with dry or sensitive skin, do not require them," says Liza Wong, master esthetician and founder of Elite Skin Care in San Francisco. "With the use of an exfoliant, the right skin care products and Galvanic current and microdermabrasion machines, you can dissolve sebum and smooth and clean the skin." Plus, she adds, many people get facials to relax and unwind, and extractions done by an esthetician who isn't skilled in them can do more harm than good, damaging the pores and leaving clients with an uncomfortable, unpleasant experience. At home, your best bet for tackling clogged pores before an appointment with a professional is regular use of a gentle cleansing brush and bi-weekly chemical exfoliation (we love this one by Dr. Brandt).
Alexandra Tunell is the Senior Digital Beauty Editor at Harper's BAZAAR, where she writes beauty features and covers industry news, health, fitness and wellness trends. She began her career in the Lucky beauty closet, then went on to work at Allure. When she's not testing the latest skin care treatments, the Los Angeles native is searching the city for the best Mexican food, binge-watching Bravo and escaping to the beach as often as possible.
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