Blac Chyna Broke Out After a Facial — How to Prevent Them
Photo: Instagram/Blac Chyna
Last night, Blac Chyna freaked out on Snapchat, and we don’t blame her. Her face was covered in blotchy patches of red dryness after getting a facial. “This facial that I did, it broke me out real bad,” she said in a video. “I just can’t do facials no more, and the crazy thing is I never get facials but I just wanted somebody just to touch my face. I just wanted my face touched. Next time I’ll touch my own damn face.”
Blac Chyna during her facial. (Photo: Snapchat/Blac Chyna)
She was confused, and as a pregnant woman, scared. “Not sure what’s going on,” she wrote. “Can’t take no meds because I’m pregnant!” After doing some research, she found that she wasn’t alone. “I feel better, tons of pregnant women, this happen to them also.” She eventually posted a selfie with medication to help clear the rash. “It’s safe!! For the baby and I,” she captioned.
Blac Chyna two days after her facial. (Photo: Snapchat/Blac Chyna)
What could Chyna have done to prevent her breakout? “Most people are red and blotchy looking after getting a facial, but some experience acne flares or other rashes,” says top New York City dermatologist Dr. Sejal Shah. “Acne flares may be caused by improper or too aggressive technique, attempting to extract an acne bump that is too deep or inflamed, in other words, not a candidate for extraction.” Shah says that pore-clogging or aggressive products can also cause flare-ups, as can facial massage. “The other post-facial skin blemish that can occur is an allergic or irritant reaction, which typically appears as a red inflamed rash, which is angrier than your usual post-facial redness,” says Shah. “It may also be dry or scaly and itchy.” She thinks this is what happened to Chyna, “This type of reaction is more commonly due to products used during the facial.”
If you’re like Blac Chyna and you’ve experienced a negative reaction to a facial, there are precautions you can take to avoid breakouts from your facials. Aftercare is also important for clearing up standard redness and avoiding excess inflammation. Here are Dr. Shah’s tips for how to treat your skin before and after getting a facial:
Before the facial
Make sure you see someone experienced and reputable
Discuss any allergies or sensitivities you may have
Mention all the skincare products you are using and when you last used them
Avoid aggressive or potentially irritating skin products like retinoids, scrubs, and toners for a couple of days to week, depending on what you are using and how sensitive your skin is.
Usually during a facial, you are getting a deep cleanse and exfoliation so I recommend avoiding exfoliating immediately before a facial
After the facial
Avoid aggressive or potentially irritating skin products after for at least a few days, and up to a week if your skin is more sensitive
Cleanse gently, remember you’ve already undergone a deep cleanse and exfoliation so using harsh cleansers and scrubbing aggressively after a facial will irritate your sensitive post-facial skin; you probably won’t need to exfoliate for at least a week
Avoid using dirty makeup/cosmetic applicators
Avoid touching your face too much
Make sure to use gentle, non-comedogenic products after your facial
Use mineral-based, rather than chemical-based, sunscreens
If you’re pregnant or you’ve done what you can to prevent a breakout and still ended up with a negative reaction, don’t worry. “Skin can be more sensitive during pregnancy,” says Dr. Shah. “If you are experiencing an allergic or irritant reaction, make sure everything you are using is very gentle and soothing. Look for moisturizers with ceramides, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid and other skin calming, repairing, and hydrating ingredients.” Shah says you can also use over-the-counter hydrocortisone in small doses, so as not to cause acne.
