Medical Facials - Patients ask, Dr. Ringpfeil answers
Please feel free to use the blog below to share information about Medical Facials or to ask Dr. Franziska Ringpfeil a question that might be of interest to others.
Philadelphia and Mainline Center of Dermatology and Cosmetic Surgery
Acne Facial
Acne facial treatments can create a remarkable improvement in the skin. Extractions can improve the skin's appearance. The most common mistake in facial care is imprecise, incomplete and unprofessional excision of comedones. Medical extraction of comedones is a precise procedure by a trained professional aesthetician. It involves use of a surgical grade extractor to ensure maximum benefit with minimum scarring or injury to surrounding tissue. Care is taken to customize preparation of the skin pre-extraction and appropriately treat the skin post-extraction. Acne facials can be done at 4 to 6 week intervals while undergoing treatment for acne vulgaris.
Acne Facial
| time | 30 minutes |
| cost/session | $85 |
| insurance covered | most insurances |
| skin analysis | + |
| home care consult | + |
| deep cleansing | + |
| exfoliation | + |
| extractions | + |
| massage | - |
| mask | - |
| moisturizing | + |
| treatment frequency | 4-6 weeks |
| downtime | No |
| time to results | immediate |
Expected results:
Rejuvenation of the skin, decreased impurities, overall maintenance of health of the skin
Preparation:
We ask that the night before the facial, any retinoid must be stopped and may be resumed the night afterwards. The morning of the facial, there is no necessity to apply any medicinal product other than your daily sunscreen.
Post treatment:
The night of the facial, we ask you to treat your skin gently. Makeup can be applied if necessary but should be gently cleansed that evening. Resume your daily skin care regimen the day after the treatment.
Downtime:
None, but mild redness from extractions may occur up to 24 hours after the procedure
Price:
Covered by most insurances, otherwise $85/treatment
Time to desired results:
Immediate
Contraindications:
None
Related Procedures
I used to have a lot of acne, but now my primary concern is redness and dark spots, is this a good treatment for that?
Facials typically help treat and prevent mild acne when used as monotherapy. Most often they are used in conjunction with other topical treatments to treat mild and moderate acne. Post-inflammatory changes such as red and dark marks do not typically change with facials. Laser treatments can help with lasting red marks, and fading agents can reduce dark marks.
Hello, I am a Haverford College student and have Haverford College insurance. how can I know if this insurance fully covers acne facial extraction?
You should call customer service of your insurance company, present code 10040 in addition to the diagnosis that you were given by your dermatologist, and ask about your benefits, You should specifically ask whether you have a copay, co-insurance or deductible for this code. Our aestheticians are trained in acne surgery/acne extractions and provides these with a current order by one of our dermatologists.
Hello, what would be the best treatment for sensitive and dry skin? Thanks
Andrea
A Quelage peel or a facial. Our aestheticians are experienced and will customize the facial to your skin. We do not offer a laundry list of different flavors where you might risk picking the wrong one.
Hi Dr. Ringpfeil,
I have dry skin that gets the occasional breakout but my biggest (and most annoying) problem is blackheads all over my nose and forehead. Yuck! I would really love something to get rid of them! Would the one hour facial help clear up these blackhead or would I have to use an at home regiment over time to resolve them? I’m hoping a facial would improve things!
Thank you!
A facial with extractions, microdermabrasion as well as Biore strips help to empty pores temporarily. There is no treatment to date that can get rid of blackheads. They occur when pores are enlarged either with a genetic tendency or acne history. Pores can shrink to a small degree with daily glycolic acid application, monthly glycolic acid peels, photodynamic therapy treatments and skin tightening with Co2 laser or high powered fractionated radiofrequency.
Like Jennifer above, I’m starting to notice aging of my face and skin. Would a facial and consult/skin analysis be a good place to start, or would you recommend making a medical (rather than facial) appointment?
Thanks!
An aesthetic consultation/skin analysis is a good place to start and learn about general anti-aging measures. If you have very specific procedures in mind, such as laser tightening treatments, filler placement, eye or face lift etc, a consultation with the dermatologist, the plastic surgeon or the nurse injector in a plastic surgeon’s office a is the better choice.
I stressed durring school, i went to a facial specialist and that caused acne scars. Now every now and then i break out. And im stressing about the acne scars that i desperatley want to get rid of. Ive been trying everything. But i gave up so now im.not using anything. Any advice at all? Im getting married soon); i dont want him to see me like that );
Acne extraction can in rarae instances leave increased pigmentation in a treated area for several months especially if you natural skin tone is a bit darker. Some people call these darkened spots scars but they are not true scars. Several treatments can fade darkened spots. Acne scars are not caused by a facialist but by acne. Acne scars are usually indented and in the first few month can also be discolored. I think it would be prudent to make a correct diagnosis first. If hyperpigmentation is present, a treatment plan can be tailored to significantly improve your skin over a 3-4 months period without any downtime. If scars are present, improvement is possible but any substantial treatment would wait until after your wedding due to possible downtime
Hi!
I’m 4 months pregnant and having bad breakouts on my face and back. I know most acne treatment options are off limits during pregnancy. I think regular facials with extractions be a great option for me to help keep my skin clear, have you had pregnant clients before? Do you use products that are safe during pregnancy? Would I make an appointment for a consultation and then a second appointment for a facial, or could it be done during the same visit?
Thank you!
Acne extraction facials are safe during pregnancy. We have many pregnant clients who combat their acne with extraction facials, glycolic acid peels or microdermabrasion or any combination thereof. If you pay out of pocket, you can just book the service. Many insurances approve acne extractions when you have been diagnosed with acne and extractions are deemed appropriate by a medical provider. If you are contemplating insurance submission for the acne extraction facials, you must schedule a consultation with one of our medical providers prior to the procedure.
I’m a 33-year old woman and for the past three years I been having constant breakouts. I have oily skin in everything I tried to get it under control dryed my skin out really bad. What would you recommend for me? Also I have under eye baggage that I would love to get rid of what would be the best procedure for me.. Thank you!!!
It seems that you have failed over the counter remedies for your breakouts and oily skin. You would clearly benefit from a professional evaluation and customized treatment plan by a dermatologist. A number of treatments are available for under eye bags, ranging from a healthy lifestyle with a diet rich in antioxidants and 7-8 hours of sleep a night to peels, laser treatments or surgery. For this concern, too, professional evaluation appears crucial.
I am looking for a treatment, for my 26 year old daughter who has large facial pores that have turned into blackheads.
She needs a good cleaning and simple home care plan. Please advise. It will be a birthday gift from her mom.
Thank you
Unfortunately , there is no simple answer to your question. Recommendation is difficult without seeing and examining her skin as texture and moisture content of the skin play a role in the very specific recommendations. In general, she may benefit from daily use of glycolic acid or salicylic acid in a cleanser or leave on product paired with microdermabrasion treatments or cleansing facials every 2-3 months. I strongly suggest that you have her evaluated. We offer complimentary consultation with our aestheticians.
I had a half hour facial done and even though I didnt have any serious pimples, my face was very irritated and inflamed on the spots where extractions were done for 4 days following the treatment (some spots had some white puss even 3 days after). Is there anything the aesthetician could do or use to prevent that from happening or to help those spots heal without much inflammation?
Thank you.
Acne facials/surgery are actual acne treatments that help to achieve overall clearing of your acne. Unfortunately, they go along with some irritation and worsened look is expected for up to 7 days after extraction facials for acne. The benefits after this downtime typically outweigh the side effects.
Our aestheticians apply calming substances at the end of every acne facial to minimize the irritation.
I will be happy to provide you with a second opinion on the healing process and may be able to make suggestions. I think it is also prudent to keep the doctor who performed your laser procedure involved in the process. If you have not seen her within the past 4 days, you should certainly follow up as well.