Hot take: manual extractions versus using a lancet for every single clog

I used to be a lancet for everything person, thinking it was cleaner and faster. After a workshop in Denver, I forced myself to do manual only for a full 30 days on clients with mild to moderate congestion. The difference in healing time and skin irritation was huge. Clients who got manual work had way less redness and the pores stayed clear longer, like weeks longer. I'm talking maybe one or two lancet uses a week now, only on the really deep, stubborn stuff. Anyone else make this switch and see better long-term results for their clients?

3 comments

3 Comments

fiona_west2123d ago

Honestly, I have to disagree based on my own experience. I find a lancet is way more precise for those tiny, hard milia or a really deep, solid sebaceous filament. Manual pressure just spreads that stuff around sometimes and makes the area angry. For me, using a sterile lancet gets the whole plug out cleanly in one go, so it actually heals faster with less trauma. I still do plenty of manual work, but skipping the tool entirely feels like missing a key step for certain clogs.

nancyj1123d ago

Wait, you're using a LANCET on your FACE? @fiona_west21 that sounds so intense! I get the idea of being precise but that just seems like a huge risk for scars. I can't imagine poking my skin with something that sharp, even if it's sterile. My skin would freak out for weeks. I stick to gentle pressure and accept that some stuff just won't budge that day.

danielnelson22d agoTop Commenter

Totally get where you're coming from. My skin is the same way, it turns into a red, angry mess if I look at it wrong. The idea of using a sharp tool on it gives me major anxiety, I'd be so scared of making a permanent mark. Gentle pressure might not get everything, but at least it feels safer.