At Soothe, we understand how overwhelming it can be to find the correct skincare treatment that suits your unique skincare needs. That’s why we are giving you guidance on how to find an effective facial that will not damage the layers of your skin further, but help meet your skin goals over time. While these facials will not “cure” acne scars, they can be complimentary to your skincare plan set by a dermatologist and beneficial for overall relaxation.

What Are Acne Scars?

Since acne is caused by clogged pores, scars occur because your body is trying to repair itself. They’re typically left behind even after the acne itself has disappeared. It can leave behind dark spots on your skin. Causes of skin scarring in the case of acne scars are deep skin damage, picking at pimples, your body’s healing process, and even your genetics. 

With deep skin damage, all acne types can leave a lasting mark, but that’s especially prevalent if the acne goes deep into the skin. For example, nodules, which feel like hard lumps under the skin, and cysts, which are full of pus, are both capable of leaving scarring on your skin. These scars can become more prominent as you age.

There are different types of scars, and it is common for someone to have more than one type of scar. 

If you have experienced acne in the past, you may notice the following:

• Boxcar Acne Scars: Shallow or deep scars with broad, defined edges that give the skin a pitted or cratered appearance.
• Hypertrophic Acne Scars: Raised scars that form when excess collagen is produced during the healing process, creating a thick, elevated surface.
• Ice Pick Acne Scars: Deep, narrow scars that extend into the skin, resembling small holes or punctures.
• Keloid Acne Scars: Overgrown, raised scars that extend beyond the original wound area due to excessive collagen buildup.
• Perifollicular Elastolysis: Tiny, pinpoint depressions around hair follicles caused by inflammation and breakdown of elastic fibers in the skin.
• Rolling Acne Scars: Broad, uneven depressions with sloped edges that create a wave-like texture on the skin’s surface.

Tips for Looking for an Effective Acne Facial

If you’re looking to get rid of acne scars, see a dermatologist, as there are many approaches to take depending on the cause of the scars and if acne is still present to help you prevent more scars from forming.

If you have the authorization to include an acne facial as part of your wellness routine, here are some key factors to consider:

• Customizable treatments: Opting for a service that can adjust to your specific needs is a green flag, as skincare needs vary from person to person.
• Experience in extractions: You may have some acne that requires extractions. While you may want to do this for yourself, leaving this part to the professionals ensures that you are preventing further damage or scarring to the skin.
• Gentle products: what is sensitive to your skin can vary for each person, but look for non-comedogenic products that can help soothe skin irritation. If you have any known sensitivities, an esthetician should be able to accommodate your request.
• Licensed professionals: While licensing can vary by the area that you live in, a facial completed by a licensed esthetician who specializes in treating acne-prone skin can ensure that you are in good hands. 

While acne facials will not remove scars entirely, they can play a significant role in improving your skin’s texture and overall health when combined with a skincare plan that suits your needs. When in doubt on any of the above, feel free to question the spa or licensed professional to gain clarity before the appointment.

What to Expect During a Soothe Acne Facial

Soothe’s Acne Facial is crafted to target acne concerns while soothing inflammation, redness, and irritation on the skin. By using high-quality products and techniques, this treatment supports your skin’s health and improves its texture without further irritation. Here’s what happens during your session:

Your experience begins with a personalized consultation, where your licensed esthetician takes the time to understand your unique skin concerns and goals, such as scarring. This includes evaluating your skin type, discussing any specific issues such as sensitivity or recurring breakouts, and understanding your long-term skincare objectives.

This treatment starts with a gentle yet thorough cleansing to remove makeup, dirt, and excess oil, preparing your skin for the next steps. Specialized exfoliants are then applied to remove dead skin cells and unclog pores, improving the product’s ability to absorb into your skin and minimizing future breakouts.

As necessary, extractions are performed using safe and hygienic techniques to address blackheads and clogged pores without risking irritation or scarring. Following this, a calming mask is applied to soothe inflammation, reduce redness, and balance the skin.

To end the service, hydrating products tailored to your skin’s specific needs are applied to lock in moisture and support your skin’s natural barrier. 

With Soothe, professional care is brought directly to your door, making it easier to prioritize your skin’s health. Book your acne facial today and take the first step toward achieving clearer skin.

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How Do Blackheads Form?

To eliminate blackheads for good, knowing where they originate from can help you understand what options are available to tackle them.

Blackheads are small black spots on your skin that happen when your pores are clogged with a mixture of oils, dead skin cells, and/or dirt. They then turn black because the top of the clogged pore is open and exposed to the air, making it darken. Blackheads are common, not just on the face, but can appear anywhere on your body. They can be tricky to get rid of without a proper skincare routine.

Choosing the Correct Facial to Remove Blackheads

Not all skincare treatments are created equal, and the same goes for facials. Many facials promise a refreshed and cleansed appearance, and there are specific ones aimed to target blackheads. Hydration facials, Anti Stress Facials, or general exfoliation ones are examples of common facials that may not target blackheads. These will help improve your immediate appearance, but are not guaranteed to address the deeper issue of those clogged pores that occurred in the first place.

How Blackhead Extraction Facial Treatments Work

This is where blackhead extraction can become essential to the process of treatment and prevention of them. Blackhead extractions are a specialized process that clears those clogged pores of the oils, dead skin cells, and dirt that may be trapped in there. Facials that include this step, such as Acne Facials and some particular deep cleansing treatments work to dislodge these blackheads safely and minimize their recurrence. This means that the facial has to go beyond the surface to achieve clearer, smoother skin by focusing on the health of your pores. 

Some spas may promise extractions as a part of the service, or offer extractions for an extra fee to your service. When in doubt, ask the spa or esthetician before booking an appointment to gain clarity on how they can best help you meet your skincare goals.

Tips for Maintaining Clear Skin Between Facials

A dermatologist can help you identify the underlying causes of blackheads and recommend the best medical treatments for your skin. This can include suggestions for the best products and ingredients that will get you to achieve your goals. However, here are some tips that many people find effective for reducing blackhead formation and maintaining a clear complexion between facials:

1. Cleanse your skin with a gentle facial wash daily.
2. Exfoliate regularly, but not excessively. For those with sensitive skin, this step can be skipped or maintained under the supervision of an esthetician during a facial.
3. Choose non-comedogenic products for your skin.
4. Stay hydrated and moisturized.
5. Incorporate retinoids, which help enhance skin cell turnover rates and prevent dead skin cells from clogging your pores.
6. Use sunscreen, even on overcast days.
7. Keep your hands off your face.

As you can see, there are many steps that you can take to care for your skin. In addition to these tips, routine facials play a crucial role in maintaining clear, healthy skin. Regular facials can help keep your pores free of buildup. Combining these at-home steps with professional care creates an effective routine that supports your long-term skin health.

Why Soothe’s Acne Facial is the Optimal Choice

Achieving clear, radiant skin doesn’t have to be a struggle when you have facials in your routine, as many can accommodate blackhead extractions as a part of the service. Soothe’s Acne Facials, tailored for deep cleansing and targeted blackhead extractions, effectively help you reach your skincare goals. Whether you’re preparing for a big event or simply prioritizing self-care, we have you covered. For men, Soothe’s Men’s Facials also include blackhead extractions, recognizing the unique needs of male skin and providing a personalized approach to clearer, healthier skin. 

With Soothe’s convenient at-home services it’s easy to make expert skincare a seamless part of your routine. Consult with a doctor or dermatologist for serious skin concerns, and book skincare treatments with licensed estheticians (such as those on the Soothe platform). Book your next appointment with Soothe and experience the best facial for blackheads to take the next step towards smoother, better skin.

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Although they’re not a necessary part of your acne treatment routines, having regular facials done can help clear out blackheads and blocked pores. Even better, they can also complement other acne medications that you may be taking.

Each esthetician has her own style, but acne treatment facials generally follow the same basic procedure. Here’s what you can expect during your first acne treatment facial.

What is an acne facial?

Also known by “deep cleansing facial,” “decongesting facial facial,” or “deep cleaning facial,” this type of facial treatment profoundly purifies the skin and will usually include multiple rounds of extractions to unclog the pores. While a good acne facial can help clear up acne, bad cases of acne may need additional treatment options. Most people think an acne facial treatment is just for that, treating acne. However, these facial treatments will usually add and omit certain steps during the process in order to treat and prevent blemishes. 

Your basic acne facials are going to use products that have specific ingredients to target acne bacteria and break up excess dirt and oil in the pores. Those ingredients likely include salicylic acid, sulfur, benzoyl peroxide, and tea tree oil.

Every case of acne is unique, so different acne facial treatment options are available to try. For example, an esthetician may consider using LED light therapy, this can kill acne-producing bacteria. Different colored LED lights can produce different results. A blue LED light can be used to control sebum regulation and soothe the skin. A green LED light may be used to reduce hyperpigmentation and calming redness. They might also introduce a high-frequency device to target active blemishes. 

In other cases, your esthetician may decide to go light on the massage or skip it all together, this is especially true if you have breakouts that are active. This step might be avoided for those who are dealing with severe breakouts, this is because it may provide too much stimulation. In such cases, this can give your esthetician more time to focus on extractions.

What are the benefits of an acne facial?

Nearly every type of facial is going to provide a deeper clean to your face, but acne facials are unique in the fact that they offer more targeted steps to address stubborn spots. With that in mind, let’s take a look at how acne facials can be beneficial. 

• Hydrating the skin: Anytime that you’re treating acne, the last thing you want to do is overwhelm the skin with peels and extractions, as the skin might overproduce oil to compensate, leading to even more breakouts. “The goal is to remove the excess surface sebum, dead skin cells, and buildup in pores while eliminating bacteria without inducing a sebum response,” says board-certified dermatologist Ava Shamban, M.D., founder of SKINFIVE. So your esthetician will likely throw some hydration into the mix, like a cooling mask to soothe inflammation. 
• Treatment for active blemishes: Extractions are great for treating comedonal acne (which includes blackheads and whiteheads), this is because esthetician will manually squeeze out all the excess gunk from the pores. If you have inflamed acne, you may want to consider using high-frequency devices. High-frequency machines or wands are used to treat and prevent problematic acne, decrease the appearance of pore size, and kill bacteria.
• Prevents future breakouts: Acne facials will generally include exfoliating cleansers or peels, these will usually contain ingredients like salicylic acid or glycolic acid. These ingredients are used to speed up cell turnover, unclog pores, and help you contain future breakouts from forming.

Who should get one?

If you’re someone that is dealing with active breakouts or congested skin, you may benefit from an acne facial. Women and men that struggle with mild to moderate acne (blackheads, whiteheads, clogged pores) would make for a good candidate. 

If you have severe, highly inflammatory acne (this could include cystic or nodular bumps), you may want to consult with a dermatologist before you book a facial. Your dermatologist will review your unique scenario and come up with a plan of attack. You can still seek out an esthetician if you wish.

How do acne facials work?

It’s important to note, every esthetician has their own styles and processes. You’re going to find out that not all acne facials follow the same exact form. With that being said, here’s what you can expect during your facial:

1. Cleanse: This is your typical first step with any facial. You always want to start with a clean face. During an acne facial, an esthetician is going to cleanse your skin to remove all traces of buildup. It’s possible you may need 1-2 additional cleanses.
2. Exfoliate: In order to prepare the skin for extractions, the esthetician will likely exfoliate your skin, this may include a vibrating scrubber to manually remove congestion, gentle peel, or a tea-tree-oil-infused toner. The goal here is to penetrate the pores to break up built-up oil, this will make your extractions easier.
3. Extract: With your cleanse and exfoliation done, it’s now time for your extractions. The esthetician will likely use one of two strategies here, either by using the finger method or a they may use a comedone extractor tool to gently remove blackheads and whiteheads. If a specific area looks too deep or angry to extract, don’t be surprised if it’s skipped.
4. Treat: High-frequency devices are used to eliminate leftover bacteria on the surface, it can also decrease inflammation of painful cystic acne. During this stage, your esthetician may also introduce LED light therapy to calm the skin and prevent future breakouts from forming. 
5. Moisturize & calm: It’s important that acne-prone skin is properly hydrated. Hyaluronic serums used at the end of an acne facial help to keep the skin hydrated and protected. Algae-infused mask may be added to calm the skin and give your face much needed nutrients. The facial will then end with a moisturizer and SPF, leaving your skin feeling clean and refreshed. 

What are the best facials for acne?

Now that you more about acne facials, which facials are going to be best for acne? While there is no one-cure-fits-all when it comes to acne, facials are known for calming the effects and conditions that come with it. Below are a few different facials that you could consider to help treat your problems with acne. However, a professional esthetician will know what your specific skin type needs after an individualized consultation.

(1) Classic Facial

Your typical classic facial comes with a deep cleansing, extractions of whiteheads and blackheads, a head and neck massage, and relaxation. The goal after a classic facial is to wake up looking and feeling rested and refreshed. There’s no question about it, a classic facial can help with acne.

(2) LED Facial

As we discussed earlier, LED lights are a common treatment for acne. LED facials use a combination of white, red, and blue infrared light that can work on your tone, collagen, and skin bacteria.. The goal of LED light therapy is meant to fight against active acne and is ideal for anyone that may have sensitive skin.

(3) Microdermabrasion Facial

This non-invasive cosmetic treatment is one of the fastest ways to get a healthy glow, involving a handheld device used to buff away the top layers of dead skin. Depressed scars and discoloration can improve with this facial. The goal after a microdermabrasion is brighter, smoother, more evenly toned skin.

(4) Brightening Facial

This acne facial treatment can include a variety of different things, such as different acid peels, masks, and serums. Brightening facials target dark marks, these are also commonly called hyperpigmentation. The goal of a brightening facial is to reduce the discoloration left over from previous acne problems.

(5) Decongesting Facial

This facial treatment is essentially like professional pore-digging to remove minor breakouts. The goal of a decongesting facial is to clear blocked pores and to help dissolve the outer layers of skin for resurfacing, which can also help keep your pores clean.

Book Your Acne Facial With Soothe

Soothe is now offering acne facials in select locations. Book your acne facial here.

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