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Battling with acne is frustrating. Even if you try to drink a lot of water and get enough sleep, they still erupt, sometimes on different parts of your face all at once. They also tend to get worse when your cycle is starting again.
If you’ve had acne as a teen, chances are you beat them before becoming an adult. But getting them as an adult is a different story. Your breakouts will often appear along your chin and jawline. They’d heal, only to come back again after a few days or weeks. They are unlike teen acne, which gets wiped out for good after being given a dose of a gentle but potent toner for acne-prone skin.
Topical ointments often don’t work on adult acne. For a while, isotretinoin, the first drug marketed under Accutane, showed promising results. But after people stopped using it, their acne resurfaced.
For that reason, many adults turn to facials to treat their stubborn acne. Thanks to modern dermatology, the options for acne treatments have widened. You no longer have to endure uncomfortable extractions if you don’t want to. Now, you can have your zits removed with painless procedures.
That said, here are the different facials you can get to treat your adult acne:
- Microdermabrasion
Microdermabrasion removes dead skin layers using micronized crystals. The microdermabrasion device is like a vacuum, suctioning your dead skin away. It effectively clears blackheads, whiteheads, atrophic or other depressed acne scars, and discoloration. However, it’s not recommended if you have cystic acne, inflamed acne, or raw pimples. The abrasive crystals may only hurt your skin more. Take acne medication first and wait for your skin to heal before booking your first session.
If you’re using topical retinoids, get your dermatologist’s approval first before going for microdermabrasion. Most estheticians won’t perform the procedure on you, especially if you’re their first-time client if you use topical retinoids. But in some cases, retinoids are prescribed along with microdermabrasion. Hence, consulting your dermatologist first is crucial.
- Classic or Basic Facial
If blackheads and whiteheads are your only major concerns, a classic or basic facial will suffice. The procedure involves a few standard processes. By order, it starts with cleansing, then steaming, extractions, exfoliating, massaging, and lastly, face mask application. A toner and moisturizer may also be applied.
- LED Light Therapy
This high-tech facial uses LED light wavelengths to soothe breakouts and inflammations. The LED machine emits a combination of red, white, and blue infrared lights. The white light is for improving skin tone, the red one for increasing collagen production, and the blue one for killing acne-causing bacteria. LED light therapy can show results after just a single session. ;
- Brightening Facial
Acne also makes you look haggard. To bring back your glow, a brightening facial may help. The procedure typically involves masks, enzyme peels, and acid treatments to exfoliate your dead skin. It’s not the best for removing zits and pimples, but it will brighten the discoloration they’ve caused. As a result, you’ll have a more hydrated and dewy look.
- Decongesting Facial
As the name states, a decongesting facial unclogs your pores. It tackles excess sebum, whiteheads, and blackheads. The esthetician performs extractions to remove those. Afterward, they may apply gentle acid peels on your face to take out the outer layers, and give way for smoother skin with clear pores.
This procedure, however, doesn’t target the root cause of acne, so may take multiple sessions for you to see significant results. But if you have nodules or cystic acne, decongesting facial can’t extract those. You need to take medications to treat them.
- Hydrafacial
Hydrafacial is the creme de la creme of moisturizing facials. Like the microdermabrasion device, the hydrafacial device also vacuums the gunk off your face. But at the same time, the device infuses your skin with a vitamin-packed serum.
Though there aren’t any studies highlighting the benefits of hydrafacial for acne, its similarity to microdermabrasion makes it a gentler alternative. Besides, the procedure has been proven effective in lightening acne scars and unclogging pores. As such, it’s a good way to remove blackheads and whiteheads.
Things to Consider Before Getting a Facial
Facials don’t show instant results. Often, it takes multiple sessions at specific intervals for the difference to become noticeable. You also need to follow the after-care instructions your dermatologist or esthetician gives you.
Before booking a session, disclose any medications you’re taking, as well as your skincare routine. This allows your dermatologist or esthetician to recommend the right procedure for you.
Skip a facial if you’re on your period. It’s understandably tempting to get a procedure done because periods worsen your breakouts, but it may do more harm than good. That’s because your skin is more prone to flare-ups during that time.
Other than on your red days, facials are generally safe and relaxing. Consider switching to a healthier diet and lifestyle as well to gain more benefits.
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