I tried a Carbon Laser facial to zap away my blackheads
words by Lara Daly
Does the ‘China Doll’ blackhead extraction facial actually work?
“Have you ever had an extraction before?” the facialist asked me, reaching for a clean pair of gloves and some tissues. “No,” I replied. “Well, not a professional one.”
Truth be told, I’ve been extracting gunk from my pores since I was 12 years old. All my congestion-prone girlies know how dangerous the combination of bad bathroom lighting and an underlying anxiety issue can be for your skin.
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As someone who regularly gets blackheads, I’d accepted that they were just a part of life, that no amount of Paula’s Choice salicylic acid would ever completely get rid of. And up until recently, I hadn’t gone to a professional, as I always assumed paying someone to extract blackheads for you was pointless – why would you give the only fun part of having acne to someone else?
But after seeing some satisfying videos about the Carbon Laser Facial on TikTok, also known as the ‘China Doll Facial’ due the radiant, smooth-as-porcelain finish it gives the skin, I was intrigued.
The idea behind it is that the charcoal powder attaches itself to oils and congestion within the skin, then a laser heats and activates the charcoal, bringing the impurities to the surface while stimulating collagen production, exfoliating and tightening the skin.
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I was curious to see if it could actually make a difference, so I booked in for a Carbon Blackhead Removal Facial at Shine Skin and Body in Richmond, one of the only clinics in Melbourne to offer the treatment. Owner and facialist, Sheridan Rolland, is an extraction queen – her clinic specialises in acne treatments, with blackhead removals being her speciality – so I knew I’d be in good hands.
How does a Carbon Blackhead Removal Facial work?
“The carbon (charcoal) we apply bonds to oil, debris, and buildup on the skin,” explains Sheridan. “The laser we use is a Q-Switch, this means it works through a vibration rather than heat. When the laser passes over, it targets the carbon, dislodging the buildup, which clears congestion and exfoliates the skin.”
At Shine Skin and Body, the Carbon Facial is just part one of the 70-minute treatment. “The real magic happens afterwards,” Sheridan tells me, “we follow with steam and thorough extractions, allowing us to clean out the pores deeply for even better results.”
Who is the Carbon Blackhead Removal Facial suitable for?
The Carbon Facial is ideal for anyone struggling with blackheads, congestion and acne. “However, it’s not suitable for clients with very inflamed, sensitive, or impaired skin, such as flared rosacea or cystic acne,” Sheridan says. “We also avoid it on very dark skin tones (Fitzpatrick level six) because it involves a laser.”
My Carbon Laser Facial treatment
Sheridan started the treatment with a thorough skin consultation, where she asked about my skincare routine and lifestyle, and took some high-tech photos of my skin with a machine to analyse it for things like sun damage, oil and hydration levels.
She then cleansed my skin and applied the carbon (which is essentially activated charcoal) and let it dry. Then she use a gentle Q-Switch laser to remove it (the exciting part!). The laser moved across my skin, making a satisfying firecracker sound as it zapped the carbon. This part took about 30 minutes and wasn’t painful.
Afterwards, Sheridan used a steamer to open my pores and began the extraction process. Not going to lie, this part was painful. But it felt really satisfying knowing she was getting rid of all the stubborn congestion, particularly around my nose, chin and forehead.
According to Sheridan, knowing when to extract is all about timing. “Trying to force a blackhead or pimple that’s not ready can make things worse, spreading bacteria and creating more acne and inflammation. On the other side of that though, is if you get blackheads and don’t get them professionally removed and they grow larger, the pore stretches and you are left with large pores.”
After the extractions, she applied some hydrating and soothing serums, a moisturiser and a sunscreen to finish. She also advised me to use a moisturiser more consistently (I hadn’t been as I thought I was ‘too oily’, whoops) and gave me some skincare recommendations: “Ingredients like vitamin A, B, zinc and green tea are brilliant, but only when the basics are in place – focus on a good, balanced cleanser and moisturiser.”
The results
As I expected, my face looked pretty red immediately after the extractions (I won’t be sharing that before and after) but it also felt hydrated and soothed by the lovely skincare she put on. I went home wearing huge sunglasses and a cap, and hoped the redness and bumps would subside over the next few days, which it did.
By day three, my skin felt incredibly smooth and did seem to have a glow. I actually noticed fewer blackheads on my nose and the sides of my face (my problem areas), and less shine developing on my T-Zone throughout the day.
Did it stop my blackheads from coming back? Well, no, but the extractions didn’t turn into big, red, angry pimples, which is typically what happens when I attempt to do them on myself at home. So, lesson learnt: Leave the squeezing to the professionals.
For best results, Sheridan says you need to keep up good at-home skincare (consistency is key) and ideally, monthly facials as part of a broader skin plan.
To book in a Carbon Blackhead Removal facial at Shine Skin and Body, head here.
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