Still suspicious? We’ll leave it to the professionals to explain. Below, find everything you need to know about acne facials: how they work, who should get them, and what to expect during this ultra-clarifying treatment. An esthetician might also incorporate LED light therapy: specifically blue LED light, which kills acne-causing bacteria, controls sebum regulation, and soothes the skin; or green LED light, which is hailed for reducing hyperpigmentation and calming redness. They might also introduce a high-frequency device to target active blemishes. On the other hand, your esthetician might go light on the massage work or skip it entirely, especially if you have active breakouts. “This step might be omitted for those who are dealing with severe breakouts, since it may be too much stimulation (skipping this would also allow the esthetician to spend more time on extractions),” celebrity esthetician Renée Rouleau once shared with mbg. Although, if you have severe, highly inflammatory acne (think cystic or nodular bumps), both Akram and Armstrong recommend consulting a dermatologist before booking a facial. “Once you establish a plan with your dermatologist, seeing an esthetician in between is still an option,” Akram notes, but you’ll want to have a personalized strategy before jumping into treatments.
