How to do a deep facial cleansing (step by step)

Deep facial cleansing is used to remove blackheads, impurities, dead cells and milium from the skin, which is characterized by the appearance of small white or yellowish bumps on the skin, mainly on the face.

This cleansing should be done every 2 months for normal and dry skin, and once a month for combination and oily skin or skin with blackheads. It helps to cleanse the skin, as well as helping to stimulate cell regeneration, leaving the skin looking more beautiful and healthy.

Deep facial cleansing can be performed in beauty spas by a beautician to prevent scarring or skin infections and lasts about 1 hour. However, it is also possible to perform a facial cleansing more easily at home. 

7 steps to do a facial cleansing

Deep facial cleansing should be performed by an esthetician and is generally done by following the steps below: 

1. Skin cleansing

It consists of removing makeup and cleansing the skin by applying a cleansing lotion to help remove oil and some impurities from the skin. Products with aloe vera and green tea are excellent options for detoxifying the skin.

The lotion should be applied with a gloved hand to the entire face, and then a gauze can be used to spread the product over the entire face, using circular movements.

2. Opening of pores

Pore ​​opening is usually done with the application of ozone vapor or water vapor, as the steam helps to soften the skin, making it easier to extract blackheads and impurities. A mask may be applied to help further soften the surface skin.

The steam or ozone can last from 5 to 10 minutes and during this period the beautician can massage the hands or head of the person receiving the treatment, making the moment more pleasant and relaxing. 

3. Exfoliation

Exfoliation is used to remove the most superficial layer of skin and dead cells, making it easier to remove blackheads and impurities in the next step. In people with inflamed blackheads, this exfoliation can only be done with a specific product, but in all other situations, an exfoliating cream with microspheres can be used that, when pressed into the skin, help to remove dirt.

Circular movements with a gauze pad are essential to remove as many blackheads as possible from the face and open the pores. To remove the product, use water and a clean gauze pad, preparing the skin for the next step. 

4. Blackhead extraction 

Blackheads are extracted manually using gauze or a small piece of cotton moistened with an antiseptic lotion, pressing the index fingers in opposite directions. Millia extraction requires the use of a microneedle to pierce the skin and apply pressure, removing the sebum ball that has formed there. This procedure can take a maximum of 30 minutes and generally begins in the T-zone, in the following order: nose, chin, forehead and then the cheeks. 

After manual extraction of blackheads and millia, a high-frequency device can be applied to help the skin heal and calm down.

But another way to do a good skin cleansing, removing as many impurities as possible, is to do a professional treatment called ultrasonic skin cleansing, which uses ultrasound equipment to reach the deepest layers of the skin. Learn more about how to remove blackheads from the nose.

5. Soothing mask

A soothing mask, which can vary depending on skin type, should then be applied for around 10 minutes to help reduce redness and calm the skin.

To remove this mask, use water and a clean gauze, using circular movements. During this procedure, manual lymphatic drainage can be performed on the entire face to help remove redness and swelling.

6. Hydration

Hydration is achieved by applying a layer of moisturizing cream or serum according to the skin type. It is also possible to apply an anti-aging cream to soothe and protect the skin, as well as keeping the face hydrated.

7. Applying sunscreen

To finish off the professional cleansing, you should apply a moisturizing lotion and sunscreen, always with a protection factor equal to or greater than 30 SPF. Find out which sunscreen is best.

After this procedure, the skin is more sensitive than normal, and for this reason sunscreen is essential to protect the skin from sun damage and to prevent dark spots from appearing on the skin, which can appear if the person is exposed to the sun or ultraviolet light.