Skin congestion can occur for several reasons, including:
- bacteria within the pores
- excess oil production
- a buildup of dead skin cells
- inadequate cleansing or exfoliation
- heavy or pore-clogging skincare products
- environmental factors (e.g. pollution)
- hormonal fluctuations
Often, when these factors combine, the pores become blocked and inflamed. This can lead to skin breakouts and uneven skin texture.
Treatments For Skin Congestion
Choosing the appropriate treatment depends on the type and severity of the congested skin.
Manual Extraction
Using specialised extraction tools, we can often carefully remove whiteheads, blackheads and pustules. This allows us to release the contents of the pore while minimising trauma to the surrounding skin.
After extractions, we apply targeted, professional-grade skincare designed to address bacteria within the skin, help seal and protect the treated area and support proper healing.
Light-Based Therapy
LED Light therapy is often used after manual extraction to reduce inflammation, stimulate cellular activity and accelerate the skin’s natural healing response. After removing the contents of a pore, the skin can sometimes form a pustule. By administering light-based therapy, we help minimise this risk and support optimal recovery.
Micro-Needling
Microneedling (Skin Needling) is a minimally invasive treatment where extremely fine needles create controlled micro-punctures in the skin. This process stimulates the skin’s natural healing response, increasing cellular activity and encouraging collagen production.
Micro-Needling may be used to:
- minimise enlarged pores
- improve acne scarring
- improve overall skin rejuvenation
- reduce the appearance of stretch marks
- smooth uneven skin texture
When there are deeper scars, Micro-Needling can be performed to a depth of up to 3 millimetres. Treatment at these depths must be performed by a qualified cosmetic nurse.
Combination Treatments
Often, individuals benefit from combining treatments for longer-lasting results. For example, Micro-Needling is often combined with the following complementary treatments:
- LED light therapy
- Low-level laser therapy
- Targeted topical skincare
The above additional treatments help activate newly stimulated cells and encourage ongoing collagen production during the healing phase.
Topical vitamin A and vitamin C products may also be recommended before and after treatment to support the repair process and enhance overall results.
Number of Treatments Required
Individuals with congested skin are typically recommended a series of treatments to gradually clear pores, restore skin balance and maintain long-term results. The number of treatments required will depend on the severity of the congestion, the presence of any scarring and how the skin responds to treatment.
Comfort During Treatment
A topical numbing cream is usually applied to the area before treatment to make the procedure as comfortable as possible.
Appointment Length
Appointments for treating congested skin typically take approximately one hour. This time covers completing the patient intake form, undergoing a consultation, applying the topical numbing cream to take effect, performing the treatment and then reviewing post-treatment care instructions.
Downtime
After treatment, the skin may appear red and feel warm for approximately 48 to 72 hours. Some residual redness may last for up to a week. There may also be mild swelling in the treated area. If extractions were performed, small scabs may develop as the skin heals.
After-Care
After your procedure, you’ll receive verbal and written after-care instructions. These instructions reinforce the guidance discussed during your consultation to help ensure the best possible outcome.
Potential Side-Effects
It is normal to experience some temporary reactions after your treatment. Common side effects include mild swelling, redness, warmth of the skin and minor scabbing or peeling as the skin heals.
Less common side effects can include bruising, granular formation, prolonged redness or changes in skin pigmentation, such as increased or reduced pigment.
For more information, please see our Risks and Complications page.
