The question: Do professional extractions cause scarring? Comes up in my Brisbane studio about once a week, and to be honest, I’ve lost count of how long it has taken me to get the answer right. After nearly two decades in skin therapy, I get why people are worried. Stories about DIY extractions to avoid and the horror of professional treatments that frequently go wrong have long circulated. You’ve probably seen them online and have probably had that nagging feeling looking at you from a DIY extraction gone wrong on your chin. But let’s cut through the noise so you can make informed decisions, rather than get caught up in fear.
Extractions can be a bit intimidating – especially if your only experience is that one not-so-great home-based extraction that’s still reminding you of the pain on your chin. I see clients come in every week who are worried that they will have to go through the same thing, because they’ve heard all the horror stories about how extractions are just going to be painful, harsh or even traumatic for the skin.
The reality is that it’s actually the pressure, the angle, or the tools that get used that cause problems – not the extractions themselves. Professionals are trained to make sure that never happens. I assess your skin type, hydration level, inflammation, and pore clogging. I will also determine whether your barrier can accommodate a comedone extraction that day.
Once my clients start to get it – why the process works the way it does, the whole experience starts to change – they begin to feel a lot more at ease.
Scarring occurs when you damage the deeper layers of your skin (the dermis). As collagen begins to rebuild, it can leave behind pitting or dark marks. But that only happens with poor technique, not if you’re using the right one. Here’s why:
In Brisbane’s hot climate, pores tend to become more congested, especially if you have hormonal acne, so prepping is even more critical.
Extractions work much better when your skin is well hydrated, not tight and inflamed. If you’re in the middle of a severe acne flare-up, over-exfoliated, or dealing with significant damage to your skin’s barrier, your skin will need something much gentler before it’s ready for extractions — which is why we sometimes pivot to treatments like skin microdermabrasion instead.
Situations where I do recommend extractions
Situations where I don’t recommend extractions
Your skin’s condition on any given day can make all the difference – and this is something I’ve learned over years of working with real-world clients.
You know that feeling when a blemish just begs to be picked at? Yeah, it’s super normal… but most of the time we mess it up with DIY extractions because:
But then you’ve got the pros, who use:
This is why professional extractions rarely cause side effects, while DIY ones often do.
| Factor | DIY Extractions | Professional Extractions |
|---|---|---|
| Pressure Control | Excessive | Controlled, strategic |
| Hygiene | Nails, bacteria | Sterilized tools + protocols |
| Skin Prep | None | Steam, enzymes, gentle peels |
| Angle of Force | Random | Anatomically correct |
| Risk of Scarring | High | Very low when done correctly |
| Post-Care | Often skipped | Proper post-extraction treatment |
Skincare reports for 2026 show a growing trend toward facial treatments focused on achieving clearer skin—a combination of enzymes, LED light therapy, lymphatic drainage and LED light treatments. Skincare reports for 2026 show a growing trend toward facial treatments focused on achieving clearer skin—a combination of enzymes, LED light therapy, lymphatic drainage, and manual extractions. Although it’s a concern, the International Aesthetics & Dermal Science Review (2026) reports that the risk of scarring from extraction remains below 2% when performed correctly in a professional setting with proper sterilisation.
I’ve found this to be true in my experience: when I perform extractions regularly, combined with high-quality hydrating facials and healing treatments, my clients tend to have fewer long-term skin issues.
To ensure your skin can handle an extraction, properly preparing it beforehand helps prevent irritation and makes the treatment go more smoothly.
Before:
After:
Doing all this will reduce inflammation and help your skin recover much faster.
“Extractions always leave marks.”
It’s not the extraction itself that leaves marks – more often than not, it’s down to the quality of the technician’s technique.
“Redness means damage.”
Temporary redness is normal during the process; it’s not a sign that you’ve damaged your skin.
“You should extract everything.”
Not every breakout is worth extracting – and as for those linked to hormonal acne, it’s often best to just leave them well alone.
“Tools at home work the same as salon tools.”
Sorry, but your at-home comedone extractor just isn’t the same as the professional-grade equipment used by professionals.
“Forcing it out is fine.”
This is where people go wrong and end up with scars and dark marks – trying to force a spot out never ends well.
Extractions don’t have to be painful or damaging – with the right therapist, some careful prep, and the proper aftercare routine, they can actually be really beneficial for your skin. If you’re unsure where to start or want to figure out the best approach for your skin type, pop into The Facial Hub and we’ll map out your next step together.
Your skin deserves to be treated with care – not bullied.
“At The Facial Hub, I’m often asked whether professional extractions cause scarring — and the answer is no, when they’re performed correctly. In fact, properly done extractions can help prevent long-term skin damage by safely removing congestion without traumatising the skin.
I only perform extractions when the skin is ready and the follicles are properly softened, using sterile tools and gentle technique. This allows blockages to be cleared without tearing the skin or forcing anything out, which is what leads to marks and scarring.
For me, extractions are about precision, patience, and respecting the skin’s healing process — ensuring clearer pores, calmer skin, and the best possible long-term results.
The risk is very low if the technician is doing it right and using the proper tools.
It usually lasts only a few hours, but sensitive skin may remain slightly pink for up to a day.
If you’ve introduced some new, highly active products, purging is possible, but extractions themselves aren’t to blame.
They might feel like a tiny pinch, but they shouldn’t ever be unbearable.
Absolutely – LED therapy, hydrating facials, and soothing treatments all work really well with extractions.
