What is retinol?
If you want to put something on your skin after an extraction, the best ingredients and formulas are something that is lightweight and rich in hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid or niacinamide.
For most extractions, expect 1 to 3 weeks for the wound to heal. Keep in mind that this is the healing time for extractions that do not involve lasers or require sutures. You may find that it takes longer to heal because the skin will have some changes in your skin tone. By this I mean that it may take longer for your skin tone to become more even and for the wound to heal.
If you have questions about the healing of an extraction or are unsure about what skin ingredients to apply to your skin, ask your doctor or dermatologist for help right away.
What should you not do after a facial?
If you have just had a facial, there are some things you should avoid. Here are some examples of things you should avoid to prevent skin damage.
Avoid steam baths
While steam baths may be relaxing, exposing your freshly extracted skin to more steam can cause skin irritation, redness, and inflammation. Therefore, any form of exercise or any activity that causes you to sweat should be avoided for 24 hours after a facial.
Avoid Sun Exposure
Since your facial uses professional ingredients, sunbathing or using tanning beds is a definite no-no. The skin becomes more susceptible to sun damage, which can lead to a host of issues, from fine lines and wrinkles to dark spots caused by sun damage.
Avoid Shaving, Waxing or Laser Hair Removal
Many facials involve deep exfoliation treatments, especially if you have had a professional exfoliation. Any form of hair removal also requires some form of exfoliation. This can be too much for the skin and can cause irritation, redness, and sometimes even burning. To avoid this, try to split your facial and hair removal treatments on different days if possible.
Avoid Strong Retinols and At-Home Peels
Before using at-home peels or applying any form of retinol to your skin, make sure you allow enough time between professional extractions or facials. This is because overusing retinol on skin that has had extractions or facials can lead to it being stripped of important sebum and needed moisture, leaving the skin irritated.
How Often Should You Have Facial Extractions?
This largely depends on the requirements of your skin. People who are prone to oiliness and acne need extractions every four to six weeks to maintain a healthy skin barrier. For those who don’t breakout often, a facial once or twice a month may be enough to maintain skin clarity without causing irritation, dryness, redness, or other reactions.
What Should You Put on Your Face After Blackhead Removal?
You’ll notice that your pores will appear smaller after blackhead removal because dirt and oil are removed and the pores become less noticeable. To keep your pores clear, you should use an exfoliating toner after blackhead removal, especially one that’s rich in antibacterial ingredients like salicylic acid, as this will remove bacteria, dirt, and debris that remain on the surface of the skin.
Avoid contact with your skin as much as possible to allow the skin to rebalance over 24 hours, or use nourishing and soothing ingredients like hyaluronic acid to soothe inflammation.
Now you have a better understanding of how to use retinol after extractions. If you have any additional questions, you can find me on Procoal’s Instagram.
