I wanted to touch on something Colleen mentioned in her most recent entry about clogged pores and exfoliating. One of my aunts came in last Saturday, and I gave her an anti-aging facial that’s good for drier skin.She had this facial the last time she was here because her skin was more dry, but she really needed extractions on her nose. I was having a hard time getting them out so I suggested the next time she comes in, I would try a stronger exfoliant.
She came in last Saturday, and I tried a stronger exfoliant on her. I could see the blackheads on the tip of her nose, but I could not get them out. She had some whiteheads on the sides of her nose and those came out a little easier. I felt really bad that I was unable to get most of them. I’m not the best at extractions, but I am really trying, so part of me thinks maybe it’s me.
I forgot to look at my aunt in the skin scope, but the last time she was in, her skin was more on the dry side, but when I look at her under the Wood’s lamp, I see that her nose is oily. Maybe I’m doing the wrong facial on her and using the wrong products for her needs.
Because she needs extractions and I’m having a hard time getting them out, should I try a more oxygenating facial? Or should I do the same anti-aging facial for drier skin, but try a stronger exfoliant? She’s coming back in a few weeks and I’d really like to help with her extractions. What would you suggest I try?
August 26th, 2008 at 5:50 am
I find that clients come back to me for extractions because im gentle and i get them out. I never use my fingers because it disturbs the glands around the blackhead and makes them break out. I use an extractor but i will most always use a lancet under a lamp to open the blakhead. With my extractor i slightly wiggle the black head out because as we all know sebacious glands are never a straight tube. let me know if this works for you.
August 27th, 2008 at 3:06 pm
April: Unfortunately at school we don’t learn to use any tools and estheticians aren’t supposed to use lancets here in Illinois so I’m left with my fingers……or Q-tips. I find it so awkward and it frustrates me. I watch other people do extractions and they make it look so easy. I’m going to keep trying though. I’ll eventually get the technique down! :) Thanks for the advice!
August 31st, 2008 at 12:42 am
Try cleasing her face with the steamer for 10-15 minutes. mix some baking soda and tap water together, and spread it on the troubled area. let steam for 10 min, wipe with a gauze and start extracting with the extractor… let me know how this works…
August 31st, 2008 at 1:56 pm
I find that a good steam, using enzymes makes extractions loosen up much easier.
Usually, the older the individual is, the more expanded the pores are. Making extractions, sometimes a bit easier to get out.
Extractions are tricky, lol. Find a good experienced esthetician in your area, and ask her to show you how she does it, kind of like an “Extraction Mentor”. Tell her you are a student. She may show you a good technique.
You’ll get the hang of it. Good Luck!
September 5th, 2008 at 6:31 pm
I have really good luck using a product called Detox Deep Pore treatment by PCA SKIN. Massage with stam into area of blackheads for 5 min and it basically loosens and dissolves the sebum on its own. Makes getting the rest out very easy with no trauma to the tissue. I use q-tips or my covered fingertips.
September 10th, 2008 at 11:54 am
Blackheads are black because they have have risen to the surface and have been exposed to air. Therefore, I have the best luck with the more abrasive products, like scrubs, Clarisonic, or Skin Spatula. If the skin is prepped properly before using one of these, blackheads can be super easy to remove.
September 11th, 2008 at 9:52 am
If they’re really stubborn but she is excessively oily, you should be treating the dehydration in addition to using an AHA.
The AHA will work along the pore wall to loosen the congestion. It will also make her hydrating products work more effectively.
I am a huge fan of the Skinceuticals Clarifying Clay mask in my treatment room.
After cleansing, I do a gommage and then steam with the clay mask.
When I go to do the extractions, they are often part way out of the pore.
At home she should be using some type of leave-on product with AHA in addition to a hydrating mask a few nights per week.
My favorite is Phytomer Relaxing Moisturizing mask left on overnight (intead of moisturizer) a few nights per week.
September 16th, 2008 at 8:09 pm
Ok! if her blackheads are not comming out try a 10% gycolic peel to loosen up the black heads ,then have her to come back in a week to do a disincrustation that should do the trick
September 22nd, 2008 at 3:37 pm
Thanks everyone for the helpful tips and advice. My aunt hasn’t had a chance to come back in and this is my last week of school. Hopefully once I’m working she’ll come and see me.
September 23rd, 2008 at 8:50 pm
You should try to put a good disincrustation formula on her nose while she is under steam. this will help loosen up the sebum in the pores. Before trying to extract just pull apart and push together the skin on the nose and manipulate the pores. Then you can use an extractor and slide it over the area. The blackheads should slide right out.
October 8th, 2008 at 10:41 am
She’s dehydrated, the peel or whatever exfoliant you’re using could be making it worse. You need to use a product on her skin under the steam specifically for loosening blackheads. Tell her to up her water intake & watch the caffeine.
October 24th, 2008 at 12:38 am
Sandra,
If you struggle with extractions not to worry just keep working at it. This was a hard area for me to but now I love it and clients fall asleep during the process, your success is soon to come.
If you aunt has really dry skin sometimes making sure her homecare routine gives her the hydration she needs this will also help when she comes in for a facial & extractions. You may want to consider a good pre-extraction blend to help along with either a warm compress or a little steam, not to mention a facial massage with warm facial massage lotion plus they love it.
If you have access to a good microderabration and shes not so dry she is sensitive this can work good to exfo. then extract, its different for everyone.
Good Luck!
Jeanne
November 10th, 2008 at 9:18 pm
What really works for me is steaming for 10-15 minutes with a disincrustation fluid. You put the fluid on the skin after the removal of the exfoliant. Works great for me. I hope this works for you.
November 17th, 2008 at 3:16 pm
Thanks everyone for the advice! I get so frustrated sometimes. I’m told my pressure isn’t enough. I know I need to keep working on doing extractions or I’m never going to get good at doing them.
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