Acne Facials
Do Acne Facials Really Work?

ACNE FACIALS - ARE THEY THE CURE ALL?

The short answer is, "No." Unfortunately, an acne facial is not a magical procedure where a person lays down on a facial bed for an hour or so and emerges with a clear complexion. The ultimate result that a person will experience is dependent upon several factors.

First of all, the severity of the acne must be considered. Are there a few whiteheads and blackheads, or is there inflammation and the face has numerous clusters of pustules - pimples full of pus.

If the expectation of having one professional facial done is that clear skin will emerge, then think again. A professional facial for acne skin certainly has its place in the elimination of acne, however, if this procedure isn't going to be repeated on a regular basis, then invest the money in good acne-fighting products instead.

Also, the skill and ability of the esthetician performing the facial, selecting the proper products, using equipment to facilitate deep pore cleansing, and performing extractions in a gentle, yet effective fashion are also factors that play into the end result.

Last and most important is the home skin care regime. Is it a hit and miss proposition or are all the products and procedures being followed religiously.


TO FACIAL OR NOT TO FACIAL, THAT IS THE QUESTION

If a person has Grade I acne, which consists of minor breakouts of blackheads, whiteheads, pimples, and a few small pimples with a little bit of pus, then professional facials would be a great addition to an acne-fighting program.

If an individual is suffering from Grade II acne, which consists of all of the above types of acne, but on a greater scale, this person could also experience a good result working with an esthetician on a regular basis.

When considering acne facials for a person with Grade III or Grade IV acne, an esthetician needs to work in concert with the recommendations of a dermatologist. Most often, Grade IV acne requires powerful medications that preclude facials from being done.

Grade III acne is considered a severe form of acne. The basic difference between Grade II and Grade III is the increase of inflammation , along with the ruptures of red, inflamed, pimples and pustules (pimples full of pus) being more rampant.

Grade IV acne has all of the above types of acne, along with the addition of nodules and cysts. The inflammation is quite pronounced. Scarring generally follows. This type of acne is hard to control and treatment definitely needs to be done under the care of a dermatologist.


FACIALS FOR ACNE GENERAL PROCEDURE

Most of the facial will focus upon deep cleansing and extracting the impactions in the hair follicles. Depending upon a person's needs and treatment goals, the following procedure might be employed for a professional facial acne treatment.

• An acne facial will start with a thorough cleansing of the skin.

• An enzyme peel, exfoliating mask, or an AHA/BHA peel would then be applied to exfoliate the skin.

• Steam could be done before or after the exfoliation.

• Disincrustation might be done. This is a process used to soften the oil, blackheads and whiteheads in the hair follicles for easy removal.

• Extractions would then be done using tissue-wrapped fingers, Q-tips, or a lancet, depending upon where a person lives. Lancets are not legal for estheticians to use in all 50 states.

• High frequency is another option to consider adding on to acne facials. This is one of my favorite tools. It is a mushroom-shaped electrode that is used with gauze to spark the acne in order to kill bacteria and heal the lesions.

• A clay or soothing mask is then applied.

• Benzyl peroxide is applied to blemishes and the facial finishes with a light hydrating gel.

If you're in a position where you need to calm and get rid of acne quickly, opting for an acne mask is a great choice. Be sure to avoid masks which contain harsh ingredients like alcohol. Some ingredients in facials for acne will help ease painful lesions, lessen inflammation and redness, while soothing acneic skin. For example, aloe vera is a wonderful natural ingredient that soothes, calms, and heals the skin. The following acne facial masks are a few options to consider:

Aspirin Mask - Basic recipe for an aspirin face mask to help reduce inflammation.

Aspirin Face Mask - Recipes for several easy DIY anti-inflammatory acne face mask options for an aspirin face mask.

Homemade Acne Facials - To help draw out the impurities from the pores, remove dead skin cells, and dry up te excess oil, check out these homemade facials.

Facials For Acne - Does an acne face mask really work? Will facials for acne truly get rid of pimples? Find the answers to these questions and more.

Face Mask For Acne - If you're thinking of adding an acne face mask to your arsenal, find out what to look for in that mask.

Acne Face Mask - Check out acne face mask options for acneic skin, along with ingredient information to factor into your acne mask and acne treatment choices.

Professional Facial For Acne - Discover what you can expect from a professional facial, the impact it will have upon your acneic skin, and the steps involved.

Acne No More

If you're looking for a quick fix for your acne, this is not it. However, if you are willing to put forth some effort, expend a little time and energy, make a few lifestyle changes, you can get rid of your acne permanently. Click on the book to the left to learn more. You will soon discover how you can achieve acne freedom and a clear and radiant complexion.