Overview | Benefits of charcoal | Ideal candidates | Treatment steps | At-home vs. in-clinic facial
Lately, many beauty experts and brands have been recognizing the amazing benefits of charcoal. Nowadays, charcoal facials are used to help patients with glowing and rejuvenated skin.
Interested in knowing more about this amazing type of facial? Well, we, at The Bombay Skin Clinic, are here to answer many of your questions. Let’s jump into it.
What is a charcoal facial?
A charcoal facial is a facial that uses charcoal as the prime and active ingredient. Activated charcoal is a fine black powder that is created when common charcoal is exposed to high heat. The heat produces small internal holes or spaces in the charcoal to make it very absorbent so that it can trap toxins and chemicals.
As per the Journal of the American College of Emergency Physicians, activated charcoal is commonly recommended for the treatment of chemical ingestion. So, it is safe-to-use. Since people today are looking for products that contain fewer chemicals and products and are not toxic to the skin, they are opting for charcoal facials. Charcoal helps to absorb toxins from the skin and successfully extract all dirt from facial pores. However, when you get a charcoal facial done, the charcoal powder used for the facial has to be a safe and pure quality and not have other added ingredients.
Benefits of getting this facial
There are many benefits that your skin can reap from a charcoal facial, like:
- Improves acne: Charcoal can lift bacteria from the pores and remove a build-up of dead skin cells that may lead to acne. This helps to reduce the skin condition and improve overall skin complexion.
- Treats insect bites: Charcoal can help take the sting out of an insect bite by neutralizing the insect venom toxins.
- Removes skin impurities: Charcoal can absorb toxins and bacteria in the body, as per the National Center for Biotechnology Information. So, it can also help draw impurities away from the skin, leading to a clearer, healthier complexion.
It can also help exfoliate the skin, remove blackheads, minimize pores, and tighten your skin.
How charcoal facial is different from other facials
Other types of facials, like fruit facials or gold facials, help to rejuvenate the skin by replenishing its certain nutrient and vitamins. Thus, they deliver a healing treatment to the skin to make it healthier from within. On the other hand, a charcoal facial does not get absorbed by the skin. It does not deliver nutrients. Instead, it helps to draw out and remove impurities from the skin’s surface to reveal its natural and beautiful complexion.
Ideal candidates for a charcoal facial
Any man or woman is a good candidate for a charcoal facial. If you wish to have glowing, clear skin in just a matter of moments, this facial is for you. It helps to get less oily skin and detox your face in no time. However, if you have any known allergies to charcoal, let the dermatologist know about it.
Important notes to remember before getting this facial
As mentioned earlier, do note that some people may be allergic to charcoal, as noted by the Natural Medicine Journal, or to certain ingredients in a charcoal facial. So, you should disclose your medical history to your dermatologist to help them study the suitability of the facial for you.
Steps involved in a facial
At The Bombay Skin Clinic we have a very advanced charcoal facial, also called as a carbon peel. The treatment starts with cleansing of the skin with a cleaning milk and then exfoliating the skin with the hydradermabrasion. The next step involves application of a charcoal (carbon) layer which then is gently applied onto the skin. It is left on the skin for 10 minutes to allow better absorption into the skin. For oily skin a thicker layer is applied for normal skin a thin layer is applied. After the application of the charcoal layer an advanced Q switched laser light is passed onto the skin. This results in photomechanical destruction of fine carbon particles lodged within pores, this stimulates remodeling of the inside of pores. Hence, this is ideal for pore size reduction and clearing the pores completely. This eventually improves the overall skin texture and to remove the dead skin cells and also the toxins.
How often should you get a charcoal facial?
Some would suggest you go for a charcoal facial once or twice a week. However, we recommend that if your skin is sensitive or if you think it turns dry after such a facial, you should only go for it once every couple of weeks. Our dermatologists will be able to examine your skin and advise the best frequency for your individual skin needs.
How long do these facials usually last?
Generally, a charcoal facial will last about an hour. So, you can sit back and relax while our dermatologists work away to give you smooth, clearer, and refreshed skin.
Steps to follow after the facial
After the facial, your skin will be more sensitive than usual, so you should extra care of it. When stepping out, ensure to protect your skin from sun rays by applying a mild yet effective sunscreen. Avoid oily make-up products for a few days and do not rub or scrub your skin excessively. Also, refrain from using any exfoliating products because the charcoal facial will help open your pores and any exfoliant may cause irritation.
At home facial vs. charcoal facial at a dermatologist/skin clinic
While there are plenty of charcoal facial mask recipes for DIY products that you can try out at home, what you should note is that the results from a clinic treatment will always be superior since it involves an advanced laser light technology. A charcoal facial at the hands of a certified and experienced dermatologist will always offer better and long-lasting results than an amateur facial done at home. Furthermore, only a certified professional will be able to advise you regarding allergies that you may have to certain ingredients. The wrong product can lead to rashes, pain, and chemical burns. So, it is always advised to opt for a professional in-clinic facial to get the most out of it.
Closing paragraph
Charcoal facials have become extremely popular because of their many benefits in rejuvenating the skin. You can enjoy clearer skin and a healthier complexion with just a single session. Step into The Bombay Skin Clinic today for a charcoal facial and walk out with radiant, healthy skin today!
References
- National Center for Biotechnology Information: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11307928
- Natural Medicine Journal: https://www.naturalmedicinejournal.com/journal/2013-08/activated-charcoal-bottom-line-monograph
- Journal of the American College of Emergency Physicians: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0361112479802208
