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A client's bad reaction made me rethink the 'no pain, no gain' approach to extractions
Last Thursday, I had a regular client come in for a deep pore cleansing. She's always been tough, even joking about how much she can handle. I went in pretty firm on some stubborn blackheads on her nose, the kind that need real pressure. She winced but said to keep going, so I did. By the end, her skin was so red and angry it looked like a sunburn, and she left with a tight smile. The next morning, she called to cancel her next appointment, saying her skin was still sore and flaky. It hit me hard. I was taught that a good extraction means you get everything out, even if it hurts a bit. But maybe pushing through that pain just makes people not want to come back. Has anyone else had a client walk away after a treatment that was too aggressive?
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patricia_rodriguez5mo ago
My instructor at the Aveda Institute always said pain means inflammation is setting in. That redness you saw is the skin's barrier getting damaged, which can lead to more breakouts later. It's not just about comfort, it's actually counterproductive for skin health.
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blairsanchez3mo ago
My buddy's been doing facials for about 12 years now and he says the same thing your instructor did. But here's where I see it different. Sometimes those stubborn blackheads, especially on the nose, they've been sitting there for months or years. You can't always get them out gentle. I've had clients tell me go harder, then get mad at me later for listening to them. It's a fine line. If I back off too much, I leave stuff in there and they come back saying I didn't do my job right. So I end up with unhappy clients either way. I think a lot of it comes down to the client knowing their own skin better than I do. You gotta find that middle spot between being too rough and leaving them with a face full of gunk still. Doesn't mean the old school way is always wrong.
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