Medical facial in Medellín

Many people search for it as a deep cleansing facial, a deep pore cleansing or just a facial. At noon Clinic, it's a facial done under a medical protocol: extractions, exfoliation and active ingredients chosen for your skin type, in a 60-minute session.

According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), a blackhead isn't dirt: it's a pore clogged with oil, bacteria and dead skin cells that has stayed open. That's why the AAD advises against scrubbing blackheads, since scrubbing makes acne worse.

According to the AAD, extraction uses sterile instruments to remove blackheads and whiteheads, and the skin is sometimes exfoliated first. The AAD also says it should be done by a doctor who is trained and experienced in the procedure, to avoid scarring and infection.

There are two ways to exfoliate:

• Mechanical: removes dead skin cells with a tool, such as a brush or a sponge, or with a granular scrub.
• Chemical: dissolves them with alpha and beta hydroxy acids.

For dry, sensitive or acne-prone skin, the AAD warns that mechanical exfoliation can be too irritating. Your doctor decides which type of exfoliation suits your skin, and which active ingredients come after, once she has examined it.

A medical facial unclogs pores and works as maintenance, but it doesn't solve everything. Depending on what concerns you, something else may be the better fit:

• If you have active acne, the AAD explains that extraction usually isn't the first step: it's offered when other treatments haven't cleared the skin.
• If acne left scars or you have enlarged pores, we consider microneedling.
• If you have dark spots or melasma, we put together a combined medical plan.
• If you want smoother texture or more glow, we look at chemical peels or skin boosters.

At your consultation, we'll tell you what makes sense for you.

Some skin types and situations call for adjusting or postponing the facial. The AAD notes that:

• With rosacea, the recommendation is to stop exfoliating and not to rub or massage your skin (AAD, rosacea).
• Skin should never be exfoliated over cuts, open wounds or sunburn.
• If you have darker skin, or if you get dark spots that linger after acne, a burn or a bug bite, harsh exfoliation should be avoided.

If you take isotretinoin, the FDA-approved Medication Guide says not to have cosmetic procedures to smooth your skin, such as waxing, dermabrasion or laser, while you're on it and for a while after you stop, because it raises the risk of scarring. Tell your doctor.

If any of this applies to you, your doctor will go over it at your consultation and tell you what to do.

Every procedure has risks, and this one does too, even though it doesn't require time off work. The AAD mentions, among others:

• Scarring and infection, especially when extractions are done at home or by someone without training.
• Red, irritated skin from over-exfoliating.
• More dryness, or even acne breakouts, if you exfoliate while using retinoids, retinol or benzoyl peroxide.
• More dark spots after aggressive exfoliation, especially on darker skin.

Before you start, your doctor will walk you through them.

Before your appointment, tell your doctor which products you use on your skin and which medications you take, especially retinoids, retinol, benzoyl peroxide or isotretinoin. If you're pregnant or trying to get pregnant, tell her that too: according to the AAD, some ingredients are avoided during pregnancy.

Afterward, follow the instructions your doctor gives you. For general care, the AAD advises applying moisturizer after exfoliating, washing your face gently with your fingertips, not touching or popping pimples, and using a broad-spectrum sunscreen labeled non-comedogenic, meaning it won't clog your pores. You can go about your day as usual.