Extracting Breakouts
Do we extract pimples or not? Let’s talk extractions!
Do we extract breakouts or not?
Firstly, the answer depends on the type of breakout.
Examples of something we CAN extract:
Blackheads (comedones)
Closed comedones
Whiteheads (with a small visible head that looks very superficial)
Secondly, yes—if done correctly and hygienically, extractions can help heal the breakout faster. Oxygen calms acne, speeds up wound healing, and may kill certain bacteria, as long as you’re not spreading more. Proper hygiene is essential when washing your hands and skin beforehand. Oxygen facials can also help calm acne and eliminate Propionibacterium acnes, also known as P. acne cells, which cause specific types of acne.
You can either wait for your three-weekly facial for extractions or, if necessary, do it at home. If you choose the latter, please follow these steps:
Wash and disinfect your hands!
Double cleanse and exfoliate your skin.
Ensure your pores are supple and open (preferably after a shower).
Use tissue-wrapped fingers or cotton tips. Avoid using sharp, unclean nails, as these can cause scars.
This is the crucial part: once you extract sebum or bacteria, stop here. Apply a serum and moisturiser, then leave it. Most people cause scarring or scabbing by not stopping at this point. After oil or bacteria is released, a clear substance may follow, then blood. This is what leads to scarring—the difference is just 0.2 seconds of continued pressure instead of stopping before this point.
What not to extract?
Papules (blind, red, sore, deep breakouts with no whitehead): treat these with retinol to speed up cell turnover and bring them to the surface quicker.
Cystic pustules: these are too large and can cause too much pain and trauma to the skin, leading to scarring; treat these with peels.
Sebaceous filaments: often confused with blackheads/enlarged pores; these shouldn’t be extracted.
Worried you don’t have the self-control? Leave it to the professionals. Book a peel or any facial, which includes complimentary extractions. We use Chlorhexidine to ensure no cross-contamination or bacteria spread occurs.
At our skin clinic, we offer some of the best-priced, comprehensive skin needling packages in Christchurch. Skin penetration is an amazing treatment that must be performed correctly, hygienically, and safely. For the most affordable yet precise skin needling treatments near Christchurch, Belle Amour Studio has award-winning success in needling, right on your doorstep.
WANT TO TRY a facial?
In addition to our skin needling services, we specialise in a range of facial treatments designed to address various skin concerns. Our acne facials in Christchurch are specifically formulated to treat acne-prone skin, helping to reduce breakouts and improve overall skin texture. These facials incorporate deep cleansing, exfoliation, and targeted treatments to soothe inflammation and clear congestion.
Whether you’re looking for a rejuvenating facial or targeted acne treatments, our experienced team is here to help you achieve your skincare goals. Discover the benefits of professional facial treatments and experience a radiant, clearer complexion. Book your appointment today at Belle Amour Studio and take the first step towards healthier skin!
Back it up at home… Want to maintain these results at home?
Why invest in the process of monthly facials and not maintain the results? Adding the Aspect Retinol Brulee to your skincare routine will refine and invigorate the skin to achieve a visibly reduce breakouts, speed up the cellular turnover to get rid of them faster, help reduce those pores by clearing them out. How? by speeding up your skin’s cellular turnover. Formulated with two forms of Vitamin A including Retinol and Retinyl Palmitate that assist with retexturising and smoothing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, while brightening and decongesting your skin.
Exfoliation
Any of the Aspect skincare exfoliants will help clear and reduce congestion. Our favourites are the:
Aspect Illuminating Polish (a scrub used x1 weekly, containing Enzymatic, Chemical and Physical exfoliants in it.
And the Aspect Exfol-L serum, this can be used everyday and it amazing at smoothing the skin, evening skin tone and decongesting without drying the skin out.
Afterpay available and receive a discount with “FIRST10” code.