People don't normally connect facials with acne treatments, but as a procedure for wrinkles. Learning the simple basic steps of the facial will reveal that it can serve as an acne treatment. Facials as an acne treatment are actually used more often than laser acne treatment or exposed acne treatment.

The Facial: General Steps

An esthetician performs each step of the facial, guaranteeing professional treatment. First, the skin care professional cleanses the face. Next, the esthetician closely analyzes the face of the client. The esthetician places eye pads over the eyes of the client to protect against the bright, magnifying light used. Assisted by this bright light, the professional is better able to view and analyze the condition of the skin.

The next step is exfoliation. Hot steam is used to prepare the skin and to also prevent damage. If the client has comedones as an ailment, the next procedure includes the extraction of blackheads and whiteheads. Extraction isn't recommended for everyone as some skin types have skin capillaries that are easily damaged. However, all facials include a period where the client can relax and enjoy the stimulation of their facial muscles.

A facial mask is then applied to the skin by the esthetician. The skin type of the client dictates which type of mask will be used. A mask that suits a client with oily skin will not necessarily work on a client with dry skin.

After the facial, the esthetician usually advises the client on follow-up acne skin care. This skin care plan should ideally teach you how to avoid and prevent the factors that cause acne breakouts.

Acne: The Real Causes

With regard to acne prevention, facials are not the best nor longest lasting. Extractions are helpful in that they remove comedones without causing infection (like when you pick or squeeze your pimples!) but do nothing or very little towards prevention. The force of sebum hitting the cells along the sebum ducts on its way to the surface is what causes acne. During periods of stress and high hormones, the sebaceous glands start working overtime in sebum production. When sebum output is high, the canals are damaged as they weren't created to tolerate such force. What results are damaged cells.

The type of sebum produced can also intensify and/or cause injury. The sebaceous glands will create a hardened sebum if the body is lacking essential fatty acids that is more destructive to the ducts and the skin.

Because face acne is caused by the effects of sebum, a real acne remedy will control the amount of sebum made, make sure it remains liquid and assist the body in regenerating new skin cells and managing the degree of inflammation that results.

Skin Care Products

Vitamin A has been linked to successful sebum inhibition. The best over the counter and most natural way to use vitamin A in treating acne would be to up your consumption of it. If that first step does not help, you can try prescriptions that include retinoid topical treatments or ingested pills; retinoids are derived from vitamin A. The side effects can be pretty severe. Think Accutane and the extreme drying of skin and explosion of acne lesions that accompany the treatment.

Another natural way to inhibit sebum activity is licorice root extract. It can be found in many topical creams in most organic and health food stores.