A facial now and then is a great way to supplement your daily acne treatment, but not all facials are beneficial for acne and acne-prone skin. It’s also important to note that facials are not a primary treatment for acne, but they can give your daily treatment a boost and help with post-acne scarring. Since most spas offer a vast list of facial options, it can be stressful to figure out which one is right for you and your skin needs. Well, we’re here to help you navigate the world of facials for acne-prone skin.

Classic facial

Acne type: Blackheads and whiteheads

Classic facials are an excellent place to start if you’ve never had a facial before. They generally include cleansing, exfoliating, extractions, a mask, and a moisturizer. During the extraction process, the esthetician will use their fingers or an extraction tool to clean out clogged pores. Extractions are a great way to unclog pores if you have whiteheads or blackheads, but inflamed, deep lesions like nodules and cysts should not be extracted due to the chance of infection and scarring.

Microdermabrasion

Acne type: Blackheads, whiteheads, acne scars

During a microdermabrasion facial, a handheld device is used to exfoliate the skin. The device sprays the skin with micronized crystals and then vacuums up the dead skin cells that are released during the process. This buffing of the skin gives your face a fresh and glowing appearance and can help clean up whiteheads and blackheads and reduce the appearance of acne scars and hyperpigmentation. This procedure can be too irritating for inflamed pimples, though.

LED/Color Light Therapy

Acne type: pustules and papules (inflammatory acne that we commonly refer to as pimples)

LED treatments, also referred to as color light therapy, are perfect for addressing acne, acne-prone skin, and redness. These facials use a combination of red, white, and blue infrared light. Blue light kills acne-causing bacteria while the white and red lights increase collagen production, stimulate cell growth, and boost tissue repair. Even better, it’s a non-invasive treatment that’s pain-free and has zero downtime. If you have sensitive skin or inflammatory acne, this is a great option to supplement your daily skincare routine.

Brightening/enzyme facial

Acne type: Acne scars

Brightening and enzyme facials brighten a dull complexion and even out skin tones. These facials can be too irritating if you have active breakouts, but they are great for addressing acne scars and hyperpigmentation. The enzymes used in enzyme facials are often found in fruits and break down keratin to remove the outermost layer of your skin, which evens out skin texture and discoloration. Brightening facials also address hyperpigmentation and discoloration by using potent antioxidants to slow melanin production.