I've read articles that state the extractor tools are damaging to the skin and shouldn't be used. On the other hand I was given this tool and taught to use it in school. So I'm curious what is your extraction preference?

Tags: Extractions, blackheads, skincare, steam, tool

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I was taught this as well, and have also thought about the tools being harmful. however i recently discovered a Doctor on youtube, Dr. Sandra Lee aka drpimplepopper, (a Dermatologist) and she has really changed my opinion! i suggest checking her videos out, I've found them very educational!

Thank you, headed to YouTube to check her out now!
OMGOSH THE "MR.WILSON" video!! I can never get that much out! Those other videos are like watching a horror movie, it's so gross but I can't look away! I'll just peek through my fingers lol
I know right!!! I just get sucked into her videos sometimes!

Most of the tools that we use can hurt people if not used correctly.  You can damage capillaries with a microdermabrasion machine, cut or scratch skin with derma planing or dermafile tools, poke or gouge a client with tweezers, burn them with steam/towels/wax/peels, short out their pacemaker with galvanic/high frequency/microcurrent, the list goes on.  That's why these treatments require professional training, and why if we want to protect our profession, it's each of our responsibility to make sure we have good training for each of the tools we use.  I get annoyed when I read blanket statements or get clients coming in who have been told something so general and obtuse because it makes it hard for me to do my job well.  Of course if a client is contraindicated for extractions with tools or if they ask me not to use tools to extract, I will not, but I don't think it helps the profession (and by extension the quality of skincare that people are able to receive from estheticians) to make blanket statements like "tools are damaging to the skin."  The question is, is the person using the tools trained well enough to know when and how to use them appropriately, to recognize warning signs if a client's skin is not responding well, and to use good judgement overall and work towards healthier and more beautiful skin for the client?  If so, tools like extractors and microdermabrasion machines and steamers and electrical modalities all have an important place in our professional repertoire.

You're right, from a subjective point of view, the risk solely lies upon the professional. Now that I'm out of school and gaining practical experience I'm learning to trust my instincts. I continuously seek education and often find articles that contradict themselves. I suppose the responsibility is mine to throughly exam my clients skin, know the contraindications, trust my gut, and lastly ROCK THAT SERVICE. Thanks for your input.

Sure, it's not to say that there aren't treatments that have been disproven or proven to do more harm than good - for example, RADIATION used to be used to treat acne - but as long as a treatment still makes logical sense, is in widespread use, within our scope of practice, and has not been shown clinically to be detrimental, I think it comes down to professional judgement and when I hear people generalize, it just makes me think that they are trying to avoid independent decision making and find a lazy, cookie cutter approach.

I went to school in two different states. One allowed extractors, and the other didn't. My first school we used extractors, when I moved out-of-state and went to a new school I was a fish out of water without the extractors, but I soon learned that the finger method with 4x4's wrapped around your fingers is pretty good too. I think both methods are good. Do whatever one you are most comfortable with, and that is legal in your state. The International Dermal Institute has good videos on this--not sure if you could find it on Utube or not.

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