Should You Be Getting Facials for Acne?

If you’ve ever dealt with persistent acne, chances are you’ve been tempted by the promise of a good facial. Maybe you’ve booked one after a breakout, or watched a pore-clearing extraction video online that made it all seem so satisfying. Chemical peels, too, are often recommended by friends or influencers as a way to “reset” the skin and clear up those stubborn spots.

But do these treatments actually work? Are they worth the time, money, and effort if your goal is clear skin? At CLEAR Acne Treatment Centers, we talk to clients every day who’ve tried facials, extractions, and peels in the hope of curing their acne—only to be disappointed when their breakouts return a week or two later.

The truth is, these treatments aren’t necessarily bad. In fact, they can be helpful in some cases. But they often fall short because they treat the symptoms of acne, not the cause. Let’s take a closer look at what these treatments really do—and when they might be helpful or potentially harmful.

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN FACIALS, EXTRACTIONS, AND PEELS?

The terms often get grouped together, but they each work a little differently.

A facial is a multi-step skincare treatment that usually includes cleansing, exfoliation, massage, masking, and hydration. When customized for acne-prone skin, it may also include anti-inflammatory masks, LED light therapy, or high-frequency devices to kill bacteria. The goal is to calm irritation, clear clogged pores, and leave your skin looking and feeling refreshed. It’s a nice treat—but it won’t get to the root of ongoing breakouts.

Extractions are the process of manually clearing clogged pores, usually during a facial. This might involve removing blackheads, whiteheads, or surface-level pimples with tools or fingers. Done properly, it can temporarily clear congestion. Done poorly—or too frequently—it can spread bacteria, cause trauma, and even lead to scarring.

Chemical peels, on the other hand, are all about exfoliation. They use ingredients like salicylic acid or glycolic acid to help speed up cell turnover and clear away dead skin cells. Some peels go deeper than others, depending on the formula and how long they’re left on. For acne, peels can help unclog pores, fade dark spots, and smooth texture. But like the others, they aren’t always a cure-all—and they’re not suitable for every skin type or every stage of acne.

DO FACIALS ACTUALLY HELP WITH ACNE?

Facials can be helpful—especially when breakouts are being caused by surface-level congestion or buildup. A good facial may temporarily reduce inflammation, clean out pores, and leave your skin softer and more hydrated. For some, this can mean a short-term improvement in the look and feel of their acne.

But here’s the catch: facials don’t address the internal triggers that drive chronic acne. Hormonal shifts, inflammation, excess oil production, and genetic factors can all play a major role in breakouts—and no facial mask can fix those. That’s why the results from a facial, while often satisfying in the moment, are usually short-lived.

We see this often with clients who have cystic or hormonal acne. They may feel like they’re doing everything right—getting regular facials, using “non-comedogenic” products, following a clean diet—and yet the breakouts keep coming back. That’s because these types of acne aren’t about dirty skin or clogged pores alone. They require a deeper, more targeted treatment strategy.

That said, facials can still play a supportive role. Once acne is under control, an occasional facial can help maintain skin health and hydration. For clients who are already treating the root cause of their acne—such as with AviClear®—facials can be a soothing way to support the healing process.

THE REAL DEAL WITH EXTRACTIONS

Extractions are often seen as the “main event” of an acne facial, and there’s no denying the immediate gratification of seeing a pore cleared. But extractions are a double-edged sword.

When done with care by a skilled provider, they can help relieve pore congestion. But when done too aggressively—or when used on inflamed or cystic acne—they can actually cause more harm than good. Skin may become red, swollen, or bruised. In some cases, extractions can even cause bacteria to spread, leading to more breakouts in the days that follow.

Another issue is that extractions only deal with what’s already clogged. They don’t prevent new breakouts from forming. So unless you’re addressing the reason your pores are getting clogged in the first place—like overactive oil glands or slowed cell turnover—you’ll likely keep needing them over and over again.

In general, we don’t recommend routine extractions for active acne, especially if it’s inflamed or hormonal. And we definitely don’t suggest trying them at home. Instead, focus on treatments that prevent breakouts before they form. That’s where real progress happens.

WHERE DO PEELS FIT IN?

Chemical peels can be helpful—especially for people dealing with leftover dark marks or bumpy texture. Some peels, like salicylic acid or mandelic acid, are particularly useful for acne-prone skin because they’re gentle, antibacterial, and oil-soluble. They can reach into the pores and help keep them clear.

But not all peels are created equal. Stronger peels can irritate sensitive or inflamed skin and may make things worse if your skin barrier is already compromised. Timing matters too. If you’re in the middle of a purge or experiencing cystic breakouts, a peel might be too much.

For clients whose acne is mostly under control, peels can be a nice way to smooth things out and brighten the skin. But they’re best used strategically—not as a primary form of acne treatment.

WHAT ABOUT “ACNE BOOTCAMP” FACIALS

You may have heard of programs that offer “acne bootcamp” facials. These are usually marketed as a structured series of biweekly facials that include extractions, peels, and a strict at-home routine. They can sometimes improve mild to moderate acne, particularly if the client sticks with the plan and avoids known triggers.

But for many people, especially those with deeper or hormonal acne, these programs are frustrating. Clients may invest months of time and hundreds (or thousands) of dollars into frequent visits and product kits, only to see their results plateau—or worse, deal with skin that becomes overworked, irritated, or dependent on constant treatments.

At CLEAR, we often meet clients who’ve been through these programs with mixed or disappointing results. That’s because no number of extractions or peels can fix what’s happening at a deeper level in the skin.

WHY WE DON’T RELY ON FACIALS AT CLEAR

At CLEAR Acne Treatment Centers, our focus is on helping clients achieve lasting clarity—not just a few good days after a facial. That’s why we specialize in AviClear®, the first and only FDA-cleared laser treatment for acne that works by targeting the oil glands themselves.

Instead of exfoliating the surface or temporarily decongesting pores, AviClear® addresses the underlying issue: excess oil production. By calming overactive sebaceous glands, AviClear® helps reduce breakouts at the source—and results improve over time, not fade away.

Most of our clients come to us after trying everything else. They’ve done the facials, the bootcamps, the peels. What they want is something that actually works—and keeps working—without relying on daily medications, harsh products, or frequent in-office visits.

AviClear® is safe for all skin types and tones. And because it doesn’t involve chemicals, peels, or irritation, it’s a great option even for sensitive or easily inflamed skin.

SO SHOULD YOU SKIP THE FACIAL?

Not necessarily. If you enjoy them and they make you feel good, there’s nothing wrong with the occasional facial. Just make sure your provider knows you’re acne-prone and avoids aggressive extractions or harsh ingredients. Choose calming, hydrating treatments over anything overly abrasive.

But if you’ve been using facials, extractions, or peels as your main acne treatment—and you’re still breaking out—it might be time for a different approach. True skin clarity comes from treating the cause of acne, not just the symptoms.

READY TO CLEAR YOUR SKIN FOR GOOD?

If you’re tired of chasing short-term solutions and want something that really works, we’re here to help. At CLEAR Acne Treatment Centers, we’ve performed hundreds of AviClear® treatments—and we’ve seen firsthand how transformative it can be.

Book a free consultation today. We’ll answer your questions, evaluate your skin, and help you decide if AviClear® is the right next step on your path to clear, confident skin. Let’s stop the cycle of temporary fixes—and get to the root of what’s causing your breakouts.

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