Skincare enthusiasts are constantly searching for new ways to clear their pores and achieve flawless skin. Pore vacuums have emerged as a popular DIY solution, but these devices may cause more harm than good. When used improperly, the intense suction from pore vacuums can create micro-tears in the skin, leading to redness, irritation, and even broken blood capillaries that appear as bruising.
The damage occurs because pore vacuums essentially pull on your skin with significant force. Renowned dermatologist Dr. Dennis Gross warns that high suction settings can traumatize delicate facial skin, especially in sensitive areas. This trauma isn’t just temporary—it can worsen underlying skin conditions like rosacea or active acne.
While it may seem like extracting blackheads is beneficial for your skin, excessive or aggressive extractions can lead to permanent skin discoloration and damage to the collagen fibroblasts within the skin. By understanding the proper techniques for pore cleaning, you can avoid these negative consequences and achieve the clear complexion you desire.
Understanding Suction-Based Skincare Treatments
Suction-based treatments have become increasingly popular in both professional and at-home skincare routines. These devices promise to extract impurities and debris from pores but can also cause skin damage when used incorrectly.
Mechanism of Suction in Skincare
Suction devices work by creating negative pressure on the skin’s surface, drawing out sebum, dead skin cells, and debris from pores. The vacuum-like action pulls these impurities toward the skin’s surface where they can be collected and removed.
When appropriately applied, the suction strength should be calibrated to your skin type, thickness, and concern areas. According to skincare experts, including celebrity beauty expert Kerry Spindler, proper technique involves gentle, continuous movement rather than lingering in one spot.
Too much suction can cause bruising, broken capillaries, or skin discoloration. The delicate blood vessels beneath your skin can rupture under excessive pressure, leading to lasting damage.
Popular Suction Treatments in the Market
Several suction-based treatments have gained popularity in recent years:
Professional Treatments:
- HydraFacial: Combines suction with hydration and exfoliation
- Microdermabrasion: Uses crystal tips and suction for exfoliation
- Microneedling with Radio Frequency
At-Home Devices:
- Pore vacuums: Handheld devices with adjustable suction settings
- Blackhead extractors: Targeted tools for specific areas
At Kerry Spindler Bespoke Aesthetics Spa, treatments are tailored to your skin’s needs. Their protocols typically involve the highest quality equipment and lower suction settings to prevent micro-tears that can worsen inflammation and create lasting damage.
Short-Term Effects of Suction Treatments
When suction is applied to your skin, it immediately creates stretching of the skin tissues and dilates capillaries. This increased blood flow might give you a temporary flushed appearance. You’ll often notice redness that may persist for several hours after treatment.
More aggressive suction can cause bruising, which appears as purple or reddish marks on your skin. These bruises result from broken capillaries beneath the surface.
For those with thin, sensitive, or rosacea-prone skin, Kerry Spindler suggests NOT using suction-based treatments! Even moderate suction levels can trigger inflammation and irritation. Your skin may feel tender to the touch and appear blotchy after treatment.
Long-Term Consequences for Skin Integrity
Repeated suction treatments can loosen skin, affecting its natural tension and elasticity. This becomes especially problematic as one ages and one’s skin naturally thins.
Persistent damage to capillaries may lead to telangiectasia—permanently dilated blood vessels visible on the skin’s surface. These spider veins are difficult to treat once they develop.
Regular aggressive treatments may compromise your skin barrier function. When this protective barrier weakens, you’ll experience increased sensitivity, dryness, and susceptibility to irritants and infections.
While some studies suggest vacuum massage can improve tissue hardness and skin elasticity, these benefits only occur with properly calibrated devices used at appropriate settings.
Risks Associated with Improper Use of Suction
Excessive suction power presents the greatest risk to your skin’s health. Using too high a setting can cause immediate damage including:
- Severe bruising
- Broken capillaries
- Micro-tears in the skin
Improper technique, such as holding the device stationary for too long, increases the risk of injury. Always keep suction devices moving across your skin rather than focusing on one area.
Using these devices on inflamed or actively broken out skin can spread bacteria and worsen conditions. You should avoid using suction on active acne, rosacea flares, or any irritated skin areas.
Kerry Spindler is a well-recognized aesthetician with more than 30 years of experience in the beauty and fashion industry. Kerry has been featured on high-end media platforms like Fox Health, Telemundo, Weather Channel, etc. Kerry finds joy in making people feel confident with her vast knowledge of the beauty industry. She runs one of the best spas in Boston providing skincare, facial treatments and holistic wellness for a whole-body experience.