Unpopular opinion: I stopped pushing extractions on every client and my results got way better

I mean, for years I was taught that a facial wasn't complete without a full manual extraction, right? I'd spend 20 minutes on it sometimes, and clients would leave red and sore. About six months ago, I had a client with persistent rosacea who just couldn't handle it. I skipped the extractions entirely, focused on calming treatments and a really gentle enzyme peel instead. I saw her again last week after three months of this new plan, and the difference was crazy. Her skin was calmer, less inflamed, and the texture had improved more than it ever did when I was digging at it. I think we cause a lot of the irritation we're trying to fix. Has anyone else moved away from aggressive extractions and seen a real change in client skin health?

3 comments

3 Comments

rayc382mo ago

My friend runs a small salon and she had the same lightbulb moment. A regular client with really sensitive skin kept getting worse after facials, always red and angry. My friend finally stopped the extractions completely for that client, just did super gentle cleansing and a hydrating mask. After a couple months of that, the client's skin barrier actually healed and the breakouts lessened on their own. It made my friend question the whole routine she learned in school. She says sometimes the best thing to do is just leave skin alone.

xena_rivera632mo ago

My old dermatologist told me something similar. He said for some people, extractions just keep the cycle of inflammation going and never let the skin actually calm down. He recommended a super simple routine with a gentle cleanser and a basic moisturizer for at least 90 days to see real change.

skyler_white951mo agoMost Upvoted

Tbh I'd tell her to stick with that, stripping is almost never the answer for angry skin.