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Think Your Milky, Dewy Skin Doesn’t Need a Facial? Think Again.

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Yesterday my mother-in-law treated all us girls to a spa day at a snazzy place in Westport called, Coco Spa, and I had my pick of a manicure, pedicure, facial or massage. Yoga and pilates usually keeps me as loose as a noodle, so I opted for the facial. Lee, the purveyor of my procedure, looked at me quizzically. At first I thought she might have been eyeballing me because I was the only chic with the spectacular afro in the group, but she later told me it was because she give my face an initial once-over a few feet away over the counter and thought I didn’t need a facial, and thought I’d be wasting her time and my mother-in-law’s money.

That is, until she examined my pores under the gigantic microscope. She took one look and gasped. “Oh my God…” Lee said in almost a whisper in her choppy Korean accent. I’m all like, “What?” She didn’t answer, just got to work squeezing and pressing. She paused between smooshing my nose, and told me to take this photo for prosperity. She was convinced no one would believe this much goop came out of my face.

 

No; those aren’t maggots you see. Those are my pores…vomiting. Don’t cringe–this is what you might look like when you wait five years between professional extractions.  On the bright side, Lee told me that THIS is the reason that at 39, I have no wrinkles. My face is full of cholesterol and sebum, which acts as a natural moisturizer.  Once that oil reaches the surface, oxygen turns the tips black. Stop reading for a second, and go look at your nose. See any tiny black spots? Chances are you nose, forehead and chin look like mine, and you need a date with Lee.

Why You Need Professional Help

I don’t care how fancy your facial cleansers are, nothing gets those little maggots out except putting the squeeze to them. Leave them in too long, and your pores become enlarged and deformed, sometimes never closing quite the same, even after you’ve ridded yourself of those oil laden interlopers. Here’s the kicker though–it’s best you don’t try this at home, kiddies. I know, because I’ve tried, and most times my handwork has led to scarring, and a few weeks of hyperpigmentation.

Lee used a combination of suction (sort of like a miniature vacuum cleaner) and a small needle to gently and carefully open the smaller pores on my chin and forehead.

The blackhead-er-ator

 

 

 

The special needle and the vacuum suction thing-y

 

I have to give this lady credit, because with all that, I didn’t really feel much pain. She’s a pro. Sidenote: Don’t get a facial with heavy extractions anywhere NEAR your period, lest you be in a world of hurt. Not sure why, but the hormones affect pain receptors, and not in a good way.

 

Here’s how I looked after it was all over:

 

 

Lee informed me that I’ll have to come back a few more times to get it all, so I’ll probably start adding bimonthly facials to my preventative skin care regimen. A few tips she left me with that I want to pass on to the ladies with oily skin

–Don’t use heavy night cream. You don’t need it. Opt for a light moisturizer instead.

–When you do moisturize, leave your nose out of it.

–Sunscreen, sunscreen, sunscreen, chicas. It’s the fountain of youth. If your skin is oily, opt for lighter formulations.

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Comments

  1. OMG!  My pores vomit too. I’ve always hated it until I realized that it was the reason why I looked younger than I really was.

  2. Wow, seeing that definitely woke me up.  I know that when I do go to get a facial, my skin will be purging like that as well, because right now, when I look in the mirror, my pores are defiitely enlarged, and I hate it. I also want to get microdermabrasion done to see how that helps me face.

  4. Sunscreen is where it’s at! I now never step outside without sunscreen on and I even use it under my make up. I’ve always wanted to treat myself to a professional facial, but I’ve always been so scared my face is gonna end up 10x worse — thinking I’ll get an inexperienced techinicien. 

  5. Never were truer words spoken. I get organic facials once a month and must say my skin thanks me. I am allergic to parabens, PEGs, Quaterniums and other chemicals so going to just any esthetician was out for me. Enter Pilar and her magic, organic facials. She hooked me right up; I’ve been going to her for a year and it shows. Every time I am in her reception area, these ladies ask me why a young woman like me needs a facial. Pilar said I’m her best salesperson. Facials are where it’s at!

  6. The last time I had an extraction, tears were rolling down the sides of my face. LOL!!  I loved how it looked afterwards and it didn’t really hurt.  There is something about messing with my nose and tearing up.  Yes, sunscreen is so true.  Black does crack!  Smooth it on!

  8. Ooh I HATE extractions, esp. on the nose because I’m so sensitive there.  I don’t remember having my period during the facial, so maybe I was just pre- or post.  But I love facials and consider the extraction a small price to pay for the benefit.  Even if there was no evidence that facials helped, I’d still get them because the steam and the facial massage feel so GOOOOD. 

  9. I would love to have something like this done. i use on pore strips, but they never seem to get everything out.

  12. Geez, you scared me so bad, I thought the worms were eating you alive! Glad to know you’re still alive and kicking. Thanks so much for putting this out there. I was squeezing my nose while reading. … gonna go wash hands now. lol

    •  @blackpanthershay 
       
      I switch between physical and chemical sunscreens…I like the Neutrogena Age Shield
      http://www.neutrogena.com/product/age+shield+face+sunblock+lotion+spf+70.do
       
      I also have zinc-y physical ones like Purple Prarie Sun Stuff
      http://www.amazon.com/Purple-Prairie-SunStuff-Natural-Sunscreen/dp/B0051O0BG8
       
      …but it’s a little chalky. If I’m going where I’ll actually have to talk to people I’ll go over with a dark powder and or bronzer. The PITA is for reapplication. :s
       
      I’ve tried the sheer ones like  LRP Anthelios but if i’m out for any amount of time, I’ll burn/tan through those esp without a sunhat.
      http://amzn.to/ModWMf
       
      Ombrelle is pretty good.
       
      http://www.beautyneeds.com/ombrelle_sunscreen_sunblock.html
       
      My skin is crazy. I’ll get dark patches on the sides of my face and across my forehead if i don’t watch out. Also if i’m negligent over time I’ll end up with a generally darker head(on top of the messy melasma) and neck but the rest of my body is noticeably lighter. Looks a hawt patchy mess esp in certain types of dresses…I’ve gotten better about exfoliation and wearing sun protection regularly so it’s getting better….Some motivational images:
       
      http://bloggingfromthebog.files.wordpress.com/2010/08/kilkeetan.jpg
      http://goo.gl/0wlbK
       
      this is kinda what i get
      http://www.theblogblog.net/wp-content/uploads/2008/02/obama-beach-photo.jpg
       
      and this poor soul
      http://air-tan.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/farmer-tan-legs.jpg
       
      At least guys can hide the difference when they’re dressed up or in formal gear
      gals aren’t always so lucky
       
      http://goo.gl/yJCR0
      http://img.ehowcdn.com/article-new/ehow/images/a02/19/87/get-rid-tan-lines-800×800.jpg
       
      That’s one case where topless or nude sunbathing/tan beds makes perfect sense. …or just keeping everything covered up w/clothing, hats and sunblock …depending on what final effect one wants.
       
       
       

      •  @Karla  @blackpanthershay  I’ll have to try the recipe!
         
        …Purple Prarie is pretty kosher though for pre-made.
         
        http://www.purpleprairie.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=40_41&product_id=52
         
        “99% Natural Ingredients: active ingredient: 20% micronized zinc oxide. non active ingredients: aqua(water), organic cold pressed olea europaea(olive)fruit oil,hamamelis virginiana(witch hazel) kosher vegetable glycerin, organic cocos nucifera (coconut),Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Cetyl Alcohol, Butylene Glycol organic, butyrospermum parki (shea butter), organic theobroma cacao (cocoa butter), sunflower oil,rosemary extract”

        •  @ElfeVerte  @blackpanthershay Yes, the Pure Prairie looks good. My only concern (and this is just for me) would be these three ingredients: Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Cetyl Alcohol, and Butylene Glycol.  The Environmental Working Group says they are safe but only because they have limited data (www.ewg.org).  The Canadian side of the coin says BG is an irritant and CA is an excitotoxin.  I just can’t take the chance with my seriously sensitive skin.

        •  @Karla  @blackpanthershay  What kind of effect/symptoms do you get? I remember certain products (including Clinique) would give me a ton of tiny bumps over my face..almost like heat rash but non-itchy …just awful looking and feeling.  I rash out (dermatitis & eczema like) from powdered laundry detergents, most dryer sheets,  mainstream bar soaps, some hair products too. I’ve never looked into which specific ingredients trigger the rashes or redness.
           
          …BTW, some old costume jewelry metals bother my skin too.

        •  @ElfeVerte  @blackpanthershay The regular, every day, garden variety stuff is like putting acid on my skin.  I get chemical burns, peeling, that sort of thing.  I have to be very careful, even of some organic things because my skin will react very unfavorably to something it doesn’t like and then I’m left with the fallout.  For ten years, I kept getting what looked like burns on my skin and my fourth dermatologist finally figured it out.  She did a biopsy and said they were chemical burns.  Turns out that I’m allergic to every chemical known that the cosmetic industry uses quite routinely.  I had to start from scratch with benign ingredients and work my way up.  My esthetician does organic facials on me and we try new things in moderation.  My last facial looked great but two days later, I had a “burn” on my face.  I went back to her and she was very upset because she had tried a  new exfoliator with papaya enzymes that was supposed to be good for sensitive skin.  Now we know; no papaya enzymes on my face.  She did a calming facial and I was back in business.  It sucks because my face can react to stuff even in the air.  I worked near a shipyard at one point in my Naval career and had to have my office outfitted with filters because the paint overspray not only affected my face but the rest of me too.  I had continual hives everywhere.  As for Clinique, my dermatologist insists it’s not really formulated for BW’s skin.  I’ve never used it.  The only metal to which I have a reaction is nickel.  As I said, I went to three dermatologists who were mystified about my skin reactions; one said I had skin lupus (!).  I found this woman when I got here; she’s a BW and is very well versed in our distinctive skin type.  She was the first doctor to ever do a biopsy.  I trust her implicitly.

        •  @Karla  @blackpanthershay  That’s awesome you found an excellent derma dr. I went to a ton growing up and none of them seemed to have a clue. :< I lucked out with an aesthetician in the 90s and still fall back on her advice & recs when my skin acts up. I’ve never had acne but rashes &scarring have been a plague until I went to that spa.
           
          I can’t do windy beach days because the wind/sand/spray makes me welt and burn-itch.
           
          I have read from some w/ melasma that some chemical sunscreens might even make it worse, that’s why I started trying to shift to a physical type. If I could find one that doesn’t ghost me out that would be amazing.
           
          I wonder if it’s possible to mix some sort of darker minerals in with the zinc etc to adjust for skin tones. hmmm  Does the recipe version leave a cast?

        •  @ElfeVerte  @blackpanthershay Same.  I never had acne either but the chemical burns were just a drag.  Yes, the recipe does have a tendency to be ashy.  I use hats as my sunscreen; truth to tell, I don’t spend long periods in the sun anyway.  I have yet to experiment with darker minerals but that’s not beyond my scope so I may have to try it.  There’s a website that sells mineral powders for making your own powders: http://www.makingcosmetics.com/

        •  @Karla  @blackpanthershay  I love my hats!… and sunglasses too!..less glare & clint eastwood-ing. lolz. hats are also a great back up for shading the sides of my face.
           
          thanks for the link, I’ll check it out. 

  14. I have the driest skin ever but I still only concentrate moisture and oils on the neck & outer edges of my face. My nose area is closest to normal skin, relatively more oily than the rest. I haven’t had any extractions yet, just AHA peels against dullness, hyperpigmentation & melasma.
     
    I agree that oily skin tends to stay younger looking much longer.

  15.  @ElfeVerte Elfe I have not seen Ombrelle since I moved to the US..it was everywhere in Canada though.

  16.  OMG. That pic made me a little queasy. The last time I got a facial, the woman did NO extractions and I left feeling greasy and messy. Haven’t been back to a spa since.
     
    Any tips on finding a reputable, affordable esthetician?

    •  @Games44112 I read Yelp for spa reviews. You can search specifically for businesses that are offering deals.  Or wait til you find a deal on a site like Groupon, Lifebooker, Gilt City, kgbdeals,  etc.