If you have been following my blog religiously, you might remember that I've mentioned about the series of BHA (salicylic acid) peels that I've done at the Victorian Cosmetic Institute as an effort to combat those nasty zits that have been inhabiting on my face.
However, there are two more things left to do to ensure that those zits are gone for good.
If you have guessed "extractions", you have guessed it right. Most people have not heard of extractions and assume that extractions damage your face. If done wrongly or performed under insanitary conditions, yes, they can ruin your face - been there done that BUT if performed correctly by an expert, then, your skin will be picture perfect even without any form of make up or BB cream.
I kid you not. Perhaps, this is my secret to good skin during my hormonal days in high school...
Another thing would be fixing your internal system, which I am currently doing. Anyway, the point of the post is not that.
So, a few days ago, I went to my favorite aesthetician in KL to get my face extracted. It is not at a high end spa or something like that. It is just a basic beauty salon not too far from where I live and this salon is run by only the said aesthetician. She gets the job done without being too pushy. She is also very meticulous. She can spend three hours on my face. This is why I love her so much!
As usual, I got my face cleaned. Had a 5 minute enzyme peel to prep the skin for extractions. Then, she starts working on my bumpy face, extracting every single zit that she could find.
And the results?
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| Acne contents at all sizes: S to XL. The ones that sink are the ones that contains dead skin, mites and god knows what... |
This is what lives in your face. This is what happens if you do not get extractions. You get these bloody mites staying in your pores (which explains the nightly itches), feeding off your sebum, and engorging to god know what size!
After that, she wipes my face with an antibacterial solution, followed by a lymphatic drainage massage with a calming solution and a cooling mask.
Finally, she performs a mild mandelic acid peel, one of the superior AHA peels around as it is suitable for sensitive skin or skin that has recently underwent laser resurfacing. There is no redness and aftercare is not as complicated as BHA peels.
I was informed to cut down on oily, sugary and spicy foods (I was told the same thing when I visited Dr. K at Tung Shin Hospital), not use any form of make up for the best results, employ good hygiene habits, and tie up my hair at all times. As I have been doing this for the past few months, this is no biggie for me.
By the way, your face may look like this right after extractions:
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| 1000 zits popped later.. |
This is the better side of my face. The left side was a horror because it had more gunk. :(
After the session, I felt like hiding my face under a paper bag. I received quite a bit of stares when I go out and it is actually quite defeating. Moreover, it affected how I shop for clothes. Totally lost mood to buy clothes and go out for coffee with friends. This is not the first time I had extractions but the extractions this round is truly nasty. A lot was removed. T______T
Nonetheless, I had to endure it. If I do not get them removed now, they will calcify and turn into stone like substances, sitting under the skin for life!
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| Chinese yam root soup |
To help restore my health, my mom has been cooking soup and feeding me bird's nest every single day apart from the bitter Chinese medicinal soup prescribed to me by Dr K.
Moreover, I've been coerced by my mom to get my limbs stretched at a Thai massage parlour in Mid Valley. I prefer True Thai at Melbourne CBD but oh well... Next round may be acupuncture at Dr K's office if my skin is still shitty but Dr K feels that the bitter meds will fix my face for good. Hopefully, that will happen. Having needles sticking on my face is a bit daunting, IMO.
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| Prepping ourselves for some intense stretching! |
Anyway, I hope this post did not freak anyone out. I apologize but I think this is a good message for those out there who are doubting facial extractions.
I am frightened by them too. It's painful but you will get used to it and learn to live with the pain for the sake of getting the gunk out and smooth skin.
p.s. After picture posted!
