All the questions you never dared ask your dermatologist

Why is it so important to cleanse your face? And by the way, is it true that you need to cleanse your skin morning and night? 

Yes, it's very important! The aim of cleansing is to remove anything that might interfere with the skin's proper functioning: irritating particles of pollution, infectious agents, excess sebum, residues of make-up and/or suncare products... This is why cleansing should be carried out twice a day, even if you don't wear make-up. Why? To preserve the integrity of the skin and its microbiota, and to avoid permanently altering the skin's pH (slightly acidic by nature).

Is there a real difference between at-home skin cleansing and salon skin cleansing? 

Skin cleansing at home or at a beauty salon cannot eliminate microcysts and blackheads. Only dermatological skin cleansing is truly effective. This is a 3-step medical treatment: application of a superficial peel, extraction of microcysts, followed by an LED session (blue and red) to shorten healing and eliminate the inflammatory lesions often associated with microcysts.  

Is button extraction a good or bad idea? 

If microcysts, blackheads or pimples appear on a regular basis, you need to consult a dermatologist, who will find a suitable, long-lasting solution. He'll be able to implement the best strategy to get rid of these imperfections: conventional medical treatment and/or physical treatment: skin cleansing or LED treatment (photomodulation or phototherapy, for example). And he'll be able to recommend a skincare routine that's right for your skin.

Can "bad" skin cleansing (by which I mean unsuitable cleansing) really be responsible for the appearance of imperfections? 

Yes and no. In fact, unsuitable or overly aggressive cleansing strips the skin, leading to irritation and even long-term dryness. To compensate for these sensations of tightness or discomfort, we tend to apply skin care products that are too oily and unsuitable, leading to micro-cysts and even pimple outbreaks. In our consultations, we all too often see combination to oily skin that is completely dehydrated.

What are your 3 golden rules for beautiful skin? 

• Cleanse your skin twice a day with suitable products, even if you don't wear make-up.
• Double-cleanse every evening, especially if using skincare products with daily sun protection. 
• And always apply a care product after cleaning. 

And the 3 habits to forget? 

• Cleaning with aggressive products, such as soap-based products with no surgras agents and an alkaline pH, will totally dry out and irritate the skin. 
• Avoid at all costs any untimely handling of imperfections, as this can leave marks and a blurred complexion. 
• And finally, we calm down with exfoliation ;-) In our consultations, we all too often see combination to oily skin in particular, completely dehydrated.