Why Extractions Matter
When it comes to achieving clear, refined, and healthy skin, extractions play a powerful role. They’re often one of the most requested parts of a facial treatment, and understandably so. There’s something deeply satisfying about removing congestion and allowing the skin to breathe again.
But while extractions may look simple on social media, they’re actually a delicate clinical process that should only be performed by trained skin therapists. Done correctly, they help to prevent breakouts, collapse blackheads, smooth texture, avoid future scarring and support treatment results. Done incorrectly, they can permanently damage your skin.
At The Functional Skin Studio, we offer extractions to help restore clarity and confidence, without trauma or unnecessary inflammation.
What Are Extractions?
Extractions involve the professional removal of blackheads, whiteheads, and congestion lodged inside the pores.
In clinic, this process is performed using sterile tools, clinical hygiene protocols and the correct preparation techniques, to ensure that blockages are removed without damaging the surrounding skin.
A real look at what clinical extractions remove.
These are compacted plugs of oil, keratin and debris that were sitting beneath the surface of the skin, blocking pores and contributing to breakouts. When extracted professionally, we remove this build-up safely, without trauma, infection risk or scarring, revealing clearer, healthier skin underneath.
Why We Don’t Recommend Doing Them at Home
Home extraction videos may go viral, but the skin damage that follows never does.
Here’s why we strongly advise against DIY extractions:
01. Risk of scarring
Forcing blackheads out at home often leads to broken capillaries, micro-tears and pitted scarring. Once this scarring forms, treatment becomes far more complex (and expensive!) to correct.
02. Spreading bacteria
Squeezing and picking with unsterile fingers can easily push bacteria deeper into the skin, triggering inflammation and more breakouts, the opposite of what you want.
03. Incorrect pressure and technique
Extractions are not simply squeezing. Therapists use specific directional pressure, angles and tools to safely lift impactions. Guessing often leads to bruising and long-term trauma.
04. Damage to the skin barrier
The barrier helps retain hydration and defend against infection. DIY extractions can cause stripping, dryness, peeling and a cascade of sensitivity.
05. Misdiagnosis
A bump isn’t always a blackhead. You may be trying to extract milia, dermatitis, trapped oil or even a cyst, all of which need a professional approach.
Why Professional Extractions Are So Important
Professional extractions do more than just clear pores. They help:
Prevent future breakouts
Removing compaction interrupts the acne cycle and gives pores space to function normally again.
Improve texture and brightness
Once congestion is cleared, the skin naturally looks smoother, brighter and more refined.
Reduce inflammation long term
By removing the source of irritation, the skin becomes calmer over time.
Support treatment results
LED, peels, needling and skin care all work better when congestion is cleared first, it allows ingredients and light to work deeper.
Build skin confidence
Clear, decongested skin boosts self esteem and comfort, especially for those who struggle with repetitive breakouts.
What Makes In Clinic Extractions Safer?
Professional therapists follow strict hygiene protocols:
Sterilised implements
Medical grade sharps disposal
High level disinfectants
Skin barrier safe prep
Correct pore opening techniques
Post treatment soothing and healing
Clinical knowledge of what should and shouldn’t be extracted
We also know when not to extract, which is equally important.
How Often Should You Have Extractions?
This is deeply personalised. Some people benefit from monthly maintenance, while others only require extraction during specific treatment phases.
Over-extracting is never the goal, maintaining skin health is.
The Functional Skin Studio Approach
Our extraction philosophy is gentle, clinical and focused on long term skin improvement:
We never force extractions
We focus on restoring clarity without trauma
We combine LED and healing if needed to reduce post treatment redness
We educate you on prevention through skincare and lifestyle
At Home Prevention Tips
Between professional treatments, you can help reduce congestion by:
Sleeping on clean pillowcases
Avoiding picking
Staying consistent with skincare
Small habits create big results.
Final Thoughts
Extractions are one of the most effective ways to remove pore congestion, but when they’re not done safely, they can cause long term damage. Leave this step to trained professionals who understand skin anatomy, sanitation, and barrier integrity.
Your skin deserves care, not trauma.
If you’re struggling with congestion or breakouts, clinical extractions may be the reset your skin needs.
TFS x