INTRODUCTION TO MEDICAL EXTRACTIONS
No matter how incredible your daily skincare routine is, stubborn blackheads, trapped whiteheads, and hard milia can create a bumpy, uneven texture that is impossible to hide under makeup. At Celebrity Medspa by Michael Keyes, M.D., our clinical-grade extractions are performed by skilled medical aestheticians using precise, sterile techniques. Whether you are battling active acne or simply want to deeply decongest your pores, our expert team in Hollywood, FL, is here to help you achieve a smooth, completely clarified, and radiant complexion.
What are Medical Extractions?
Medical extractions involve the safe, manual clearing of clogged or compacted pores. Unlike trying to "pop" blemishes at home—which often leads to severe inflammation, scarring, and spreading bacteria—our clinical extractions safely remove the blockage from the root.
Blackhead & Whitehead Removal: Expertly clearing oxidized sebum (blackheads) and trapped pus (whiteheads) without bruising or tearing the surrounding skin.
Milia Extraction: Safely lancing and removing milia (tiny, hard, white keratin-filled cysts usually found around the eyes) using sterile medical instruments.
Acne Management: Carefully extracting active congestion to flatten blemishes instantly, reduce pain, and drastically speed up the healing time of a breakout.
Targeted Skin Concerns
- Congested Pores: Clearing the buildup of dead skin, oil, and makeup that makes pores look enlarged.
- Active Breakouts: Safely relieving the pressure of deep, painful pimples and pustules.
- Uneven Texture: Eliminating the tiny under-the-skin bumps that make your face feel rough.
- Milia: Removing the stubborn, pearl-like cysts that cannot be squeezed or exfoliated away.
What are the Benefits of Medical Extractions?
Many of our Hollywood patients rely on professional extractions for these key benefits:
- Prevents Scarring: Professional technique ensures the follicle is cleared safely, preventing the permanent pitted scars caused by at-home picking.
- Immediate Relief: Flattens painful breakouts and instantly improves the texture of the skin.
- Better Product Absorption: Once the "plugs" are removed from your pores, your expensive serums and moisturizers can actually penetrate the skin.
- Minimizes Pore Size: Pores cannot shrink if they are stuffed with debris; extracting them allows the skin to contract and look tighter.
- Reduces Future Breakouts: Removing the trapped bacteria stops the acne cycle in its tracks.
Your First Step: The Consultation
Discuss your struggles, lifestyle, and aesthetic goals.
Review your medical history to ensure a safe treatment.
Analyze your specific needs, and anatomy to ensure an optimal approach.
Create a personalized plan that fits your budget and timeline.
What to Expect During Your Treatment
Extractions require meticulous prep to ensure your skin is protected. First, we thoroughly cleanse your face and apply a gentle enzymatic exfoliator or warm steam to soften the skin and open the pores. Once the skin is prepped, your practitioner will use sterile, medical-grade tools and precise manual pressure to gently coax the debris out of the follicles. For milia, a tiny, sterile lancet is used to create a micro-opening before extraction. After the pores are cleared, we apply a soothing, antibacterial serum or cooling mask to instantly calm any redness. The extraction process typically takes 15 to 30 minutes depending on the level of congestion.
The Extraction Timeline
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Consultation
Evaluate your skin type and identify the types of blemishes that need clearing.Consultation
Evaluate your skin type and identify the types of blemishes that need clearing. -
The Procedure
Gentle steaming, precise clearing of pores, and application of a soothing antibacterial mask.The Procedure
Gentle steaming, precise clearing of pores, and application of a soothing antibacterial mask. -
Immediate
The skin may appear slightly pink or red where extractions occurred, but blemishes will be visibly flatter and pores will be clean.Immediate
The skin may appear slightly pink or red where extractions occurred, but blemishes will be visibly flatter and pores will be clean. -
Days 1-2
Any minor redness subsides quickly. Active breakouts that were extracted will heal rapidly and dry up.Days 1-2
Any minor redness subsides quickly. Active breakouts that were extracted will heal rapidly and dry up. -
Ongoing
Enjoy a drastically smoother texture and clearer complexion. Routine visits are recommended to keep acne at bay.Ongoing
Enjoy a drastically smoother texture and clearer complexion. Routine visits are recommended to keep acne at bay.
Are You a Good Candidate?
Medical extractions are a foundational treatment for anyone struggling with congested skin. You may be a great candidate if you:
- Suffer from frequent blackheads, particularly on the nose, chin, or forehead.
- Have stubborn milia around your eyes or cheeks that won't go away.
- Experience painful, active acne breakouts that need safe relief.
- Notice your makeup looks bumpy or textured throughout the day.
- Are looking for a fast, effective way to clear your skin before a big event.
How Much Do Medical Extractions Cost?
Medical extractions are highly affordable and are often built into our comprehensive facial packages. The cost depends on whether you are booking a standalone extraction session (perfect for a quick targeted clearing of milia or a sudden breakout) or adding them onto another service, such as a HydraFacial or Chemical Peel. During your consultation, our Patient Coordinator will provide clear pricing and recommend the best combination of treatments to achieve your clearest skin.
Recovery and Aftercare
Because we use clinical precision, downtime is virtually non-existent, though some mild redness is normal for a few hours. To protect your freshly cleared pores, we strictly recommend:
- Hands Off: Do not touch your face or pick at any remaining healing blemishes, as your pores are currently open and susceptible to bacteria.
- Skip the Gym: Avoid heavy sweating, saunas, and hot yoga for 24 hours to prevent bacteria from entering the freshly cleared follicles.
- Hold the Makeup: If possible, let your skin breathe for the rest of the day without applying heavy foundations.
- Gentle Skincare: Avoid harsh scrubs or strong chemical exfoliants for 48 hours to let the skin calm down.
Extractions FAQs
YOUR QUESTIONS, ANSWERED BY THE BEST IN MIAMI
Do extractions hurt?
Do extractions hurt?
While you will feel some targeted pressure during the process, our aestheticians are highly trained to extract debris safely without causing severe pain. We prep the skin extensively with steam and enzymes to make the extractions as easy and comfortable as possible.
Why shouldn't I just squeeze my pores at home?
Why shouldn't I just squeeze my pores at home?
At-home squeezing often pushes the bacteria deeper into the skin, causing a larger cyst to form. It also tears the surrounding tissue, which leads to post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (dark spots) and permanent ice-pick scars. Always leave extractions to the professionals!
What is a Milia? Can I pop it?
What is a Milia? Can I pop it?
Milia are tiny, hard cysts filled with keratin (a skin protein), not pus or oil. Because they do not have an opening to the skin's surface, you cannot pop them. They must be safely lanced and extracted by a medical professional.
Can I get extractions if I have cystic acne?
Can I get extractions if I have cystic acne?
Deep, inflamed cystic acne usually cannot be extracted manually because the infection is too deep. For painful cysts, we often recommend alternative medical treatments, such as a targeted cortisone injection by Dr. Keyes, to reduce the swelling in 24 hours.
How often should I get my pores extracted?
How often should I get my pores extracted?
For patients with acne-prone or highly congested skin, we recommend coming in every 4 to 6 weeks to stay ahead of the buildup and keep the pores consistently clear.
