How Do Facial Vacuums Actually Work?

18 Dec How Do Facial Vacuums Actually Work?

If you’ve been browsing skincare trends lately, you may have come across an odd contraption called a “facial vacuum.” As the name suggests, these little devices use suction to literally vacuum stuff out of your pores.

Kinda weird, right?

But do they actually work?

And are they even safe to use on your face?

I decided to dig into the details so you don’t have to. 😉 Keep reading to get the full scoop…

What Is a Facial Vacuum?

A facial vacuum (sometimes called a “pore vacuum” or “blackhead vacuum”) is a handheld device that uses suction to unclog pores and extract blackheads.

It usually consists of an electric base with adjustable suction strength, attached to interchangeable heads designed for different areas of the face.

The suction pulls out dirt, oil, and other gunk lodged deep in your pores.

Facial vacuums have grown popular over the last few years as an easy way to deeply clean your pores at home. They promise clearer, glowing skin without the pain, mess, and eye-watering price tag of professional extractions at a dermatologist or salon.

But…do they live up to the hype?

Here’s what you should know:

How Do Facial Vacuums Work?

While techniques vary between specific devices, most facial vacuums work through a basic 4-step process:

1. Prepare Your Skin

Before using your vacuum, you’ll want to prep your skin to open up your pores and soften any hard sebum plugs.

Start by washing your face with a gentle cleanser. Some devices come with a special cleansing brush or head attachment just for this purpose.

Then, steam your skin or apply a warm, damp washcloth for a few minutes to loosen congestion in your pores.

Pro Tip: An oil cleanser before steaming will allow the oil to grab onto debris and lift it out of your pores.

Exfoliating with a chemical exfoliant containing alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) or beta hydroxy acids (BHAs) will also prep your skin and enhance results. Just don’t overdo it, as too much exfoliation before using suction can cause irritation.

2. Select the Proper Head Attachment

Facial vacuum devices come equipped with a few different suction head attachments designed for different parts of your face.

For example, a curved tip works well over contoured areas like the nose, while a flat, wide head covers broader areas of the cheeks or forehead more efficiently.

Choose the head best suited for the area you want to target. Always start with larger heads (lowest suction power) first before moving to more sensitive zones around the eyes and lips.

3. Glide Over Skin and Allow Suction

Once an appropriate suction head is securely attached, power on your facial vacuum and gently glide the vacuum across areas of congestion using sweeping outward motions. Avoid holding it in one spot for too long.

Most devices have adjustable suction strength, ranging from light to intense. Start on the lowest setting first and gradually increase as tolerated.

The vacuum will pull oil, bacteria, dead skin, and other gunk from your open pores as you glide.

Be sure not to vacuum any one area for longer than 1-2 minutes to avoid broken capillaries or irritation.

4. Clean and Sterilize

As a final vital step, thoroughly clean and sterilize your facial vacuum tool after each use. This prevents the buildup of gross stuff and bacterial growth that could lead to skin infections. Not fun!

Carefully wash removable head attachments in warm, soapy water. Most bases can be wiped clean with disinfecting wipes or facial cleansers.

Be sure to remove any debris stuck in the suction opening. Allow all parts to fully air dry before storing in a clean, protected area.

And that’s the basic four-step process for effectively using a facial vacuum! Seems pretty straightforward, yeah?

Now let’s get into the good stuff: Does this thing actually work?? 🤔

Do Facial Vacuums Really Work?

Well, when used properly, facial vacuums can offer legitimate benefits:

Unclogs pores: The suction extracts pore-clogging sebum, dead skin cells, bacteria, and environmental debris from deep inside pores. This minimizes breakouts and promotes clearer skin over time with regular use.

Extracts blackheads: Gentle vacuum pressure painlessly draws out blackheads without all the pinching, poking, and redness of manual extraction.

Brightens complexion: Thoroughly cleansing pores leaves your skin fresher, smoother, and more vibrant. Your skincare products will also absorb better with unclogged pores.

Affordable alternative to extractions: Facial vacuums provide similar results to professional extraction facials at a fraction of the cost and inconvenience. No painful needles!

However…getting optimal results takes time and technique.

Don’t expect huge changes after a single use. Consistently and properly using your facial vacuum over 4-6 weeks offers the best results.

And while tempting, cranking it up to max suction won’t speed up results. This will most likely damage your skin instead. Slow and gentle is key!

Now for the big question…

Are Facial Vacuums Actually Safe for Your Skin? 😬

Given how intensely facial vacuums literally suck stuff out of your pores, it’s normal to have some safety concerns. No one wants to end up with broken capillaries or even (gasp!) torn-off skin.

So are they legit safe?

Well, when used correctly, facial vacuums are generally safe for most skin types. But it depends entirely on how you use them…

Potential Risks

If overdone or used too aggressively, facial vacuums do carry some risks:

Bruising or broken capillaries

Skin irritation and redness

Infection from unsanitized devices

Scarring from suctioning one area too intensely

Yikes! None of those risks sound fun.

Luckily, it’s possible to reap their benefits while avoiding damage with smart use.

Tips for Safe Use

Follow these basic guidelines for keeping your skin happy while facial vacuuming:

Adjust intensity slowly – Start on the gentlest suction setting and gradually increase strength while gauging skin comfort.

Limit suction time – Don’t vacuum any single area for longer than 1-2 minutes max to avoid irritation.

Use proper-sized heads – Choose tips appropriately sized to each facial zone. Never use tiny pore heads on large flat areas.

Clean after every use – Disinfect your device and head attachments after each use to prevent bacteria transfer.

Listen to your skin – Immediately stop vacuuming if you experience excessive redness, tenderness or any pain.

Avoid broken skin – Never vacuum over irritated, peeling, inflamed or broken skin as this can worsen damage.

See? Not so scary when properly used!

The key is resisting the temptation to get overzealous. Treat your skin gently and you’ll reap all the benefits without the nasty side effects.

Next, let’s go over some tips for getting the best possible results from your new facial vacuum…

How to Use a Facial Vacuum for Best Results

While facial vacuums themselves are pretty straightforward, getting the most out of them involves some strategy.

Here are pro tips for optimal use:

1. Begin With Clean, Well-Prepped Skin

As explained earlier, properly prepping your skin before vacuuming is crucial!

Start by gently cleansing the skin to remove surface dirt, oil, and debris so that vacuum suction reaches deeply into pores.

Then steam for 5-10 minutes or apply a warm, damp towel to soften and open pores. This step is vital! Hard, clogged pores won’t release gunk without softening first.

Finish prep with a clay mask, oil cleanser, or chemical exfoliant containing salicylic acid or glycolic acid to further loosen pore contents before vacuuming.

2. Customize Your Routine

There’s no definitive rule for how often to use your facial vacuum device. Customize a schedule that fits your personal skin needs.

If you deal with consistently clogged pores or blackheads, using it 2-3 times per week may be warranted. For maintenance between extractions, 1-2 times monthly could suffice.

Listen to what YOUR skin wants and adjust as needed. Just don’t overdo it!

3. Be Patient & Consistent

Like any skincare product, facial vacuums require patience and consistency to see results. Don’t expect overnight miracles after a single use!

Stick with a regular vacuum routine for 4-6 weeks before judging effectiveness. Take before & after photos to monitor subtle yet impactful changes over time.

Remain consistent, but avoid overdoing it. Carefully pay attention to how your skin looks and feels to find that sweet spot.

4. Always Clean Thoroughly

I can’t emphasize this enough – thoroughly disinfect your facial vacuum before AND after each use!

Any bacteria transfer can lead to infection and acne breakouts, reversing your clear skin efforts. Not worth it!

Invest in facial vacuum wipes and cleaning brushes to easily sanitize everything. Take proper care of your device and it will take good care of your skin! 🙂

Alright, we’ve covered a ton of important info here. Let’s wrap it all up…

The Bottom Line: Are Facial Vacuums Worth It?

After all we’ve discussed – analyzing the pros, cons, safety precautions, and best practices for facial vacuuming – you’re probably still wondering:

Should I actually get one?? 🤷‍♀️

Well, here’s my take:

If you struggle with:

• Congested, clogged pores
• Blackheads and whiteheads
• Blemishes and breakouts
• Lackluster complexion

…AND are willing to invest the time, care, and patience for safe, gradual results…

Then YES – a facial vacuum can genuinely improve your skin!

However, those with sensitive skin or broken/irritated skin should avoid facial vacuums to prevent damage.

At the end of the day, approach facial vacuuming with reasonable expectations. Used correctly alongside a solid skincare regimen, facial vacuums can extract gunk from pores, minimize blackheads, and reveal glowing, vibrant skin over time.

Just don’t expect a flawless complexion overnight – have patience and enjoy the journey! A small commitment goes a long way.

Last Words

At first glance, blasting your face with a handheld vacuum device seems kinda bizarre…and scary!

But when used gently over time, facial vacuums can genuinely clean congested pores, extract blackheads, brighten skin, and restore your best complexion.

Just be sure to customize routines to your own tolerance levels, always thoroughly disinfect devices before and after each use, and resist cranking it all the way up to 11. Slow and steady! 😌

Have any other facial vacuum questions? Drop ’em’ below!

Now let’s tackle some common questions:

FAQs

Q1: How often should you use a facial vacuum?

There’s no universal rule for facial vacuum frequency – it really comes down to your personal skin type and needs. In general, though, 1-3 times per week is appropriate for keeping pores clear.

Those struggling with consistent blackheads or clogged pores may choose a 3-4 times per week regimen. If you have sensitive skin, once weekly or every other week is best.

Gauge how your skin looks and feels before increasing vacuum use. More isn’t necessarily better when it comes to your face!

Q2: Can facial vacuums damage your skin?

Yes, facial vacuums can damage skin if used incorrectly. Applying too much suction force can lead to broken capillaries, irritation, and even scarring over time. Always start with the gentlest setting and adjust up slowly & cautiously.

Avoid holding the vacuum on one patch of skin for over 1-2 minutes max, and never vacuum over broken, irritated, or inflamed skin. This can exacerbate damage.

Q3: How do you sanitize a facial vacuum properly?

It’s vital to fully disinfect your facial vacuum before and after each use to avoid trapped bacteria festering within the tool. Here is a simple sanitization process:

Remove head attachments and wash with warm, soapy water

Wipe down the electrical handle base with sanitizing facial wipes

Clean around suction hole openings using cotton swabs and rubbing alcohol

Allow all parts to fully air dry prior to storing

Repeat this full sequence each use for maximum cleanliness.

Q4: Can you use facial vacuums on acne or acne-prone skin?

This depends…In general, you’ll want to avoid actively vacuuming directly over top inflamed pimples or cystic acne. The suction can spread bacteria within pores, or even rupture blemishes making them worse.

HOWEVER, gently using your facial vacuum over blackhead-prone zones around healing acne can still help prevent future breakouts after active blemishes subside. Carefully gliding around pimple peripheries helps keep surrounding pores clear. So clean skin that’s prone to acne blackheads may benefit.

If struggling with body acne like on the back or chest, facial vacuums likely won’t help much since plugged pores here usually originate from internal hormonal triggers. Stick to targeted acne-fighting body washes for treating body breakouts instead.

Q5: How do I know which facial vacuum to buy?

With the rise in popularity of these tools, countless facial vacuum brands and models exist now. It can get overwhelming! Focus mainly on three factors when selecting one:

Adjustable Suction Power – Multiple suction force settings to customize the comfort level

Interchangeable Heads – Different shaped head attachments for targeting specific zones

Reputable Reviews – Positive feedback and before & after photos from real users

Devices allowing full customization of suction force + head shape based on user needs generally provide the best and safest results. Avoid generic, off-brand vacuums with zero reviews.