If you are looking for a facial or acne extraction in District 1, Saigon, here is the short version of what to expect at Harmonie Beauté: a private room, one therapist for the whole appointment, a skin check before anything starts, and a 1 hour 30 minute slot (1 hour 20 minutes of treatment plus 10 minutes of rest). Extraction treatments start at 220,000đ (~$8.5). You can book on WhatsApp or online, and the team talks with you through a translation app.
We already have a guide on why your skin breaks out after moving to Saigon and another on how to tell a good facial from a bad one. This article is narrower and more practical: what actually happens during an extraction facial at our studio, which option to book, what it costs, how to communicate when you do not speak Vietnamese, and what to do with your skin afterwards.
What a facial & acne extraction session actually includes
Every booking at Harmonie follows the same structure, whichever extraction treatment you choose. Nothing is done on a timer; the therapist works area by area until the job is done properly.
1. Consultation and skin check
Your therapist asks about your skin history, what you currently use, allergies, and any medication — through a translation app if needed — then looks closely at your skin. This is also when each spot gets assessed: which ones are ready to be extracted, and which should be left alone. Not every bump should be squeezed, and a careful therapist will tell you so.
2. Cleansing
Oil, sunscreen and makeup come off first. You do not need to arrive bare-faced, but it helps if you can.
3. Softening the pores
Before extraction, pores are softened with steam or a softening product. This is the step that makes the difference between a bearable extraction and a painful one, so it is never skipped.
4. Extraction
Blackheads, closed comedones and inflamed spots are cleared with sterile tools — sterilised or brand new for every client — at the right angle and pressure. The goal is to clear the congestion without damaging the skin around it, which is what keeps redness, swelling and marks to a minimum.
5. Soothing and aftercare advice
Once extraction is finished, the skin is calmed down, and you get home-care instructions and a suggestion for when to come back. Then you have 10 minutes to rest before you head out.
Does it hurt?
Honestly, extraction is not completely painless. Expect pressure and short moments of sting, usually more noticeable on the nose and chin. How much you feel depends on how congested your skin is and how many inflamed spots there are. If you are nervous, or it is your first extraction ever, the enzyme-assisted Painless acne extraction option softens the comedones first and is designed for sensitive skin and first-timers.
Which treatment to book — and what it costs
Prices below are copied from our homepage price list. The dollar figures are the approximate equivalents shown there; you pay in VND. All prices exclude VAT.
Face
- Basic acne treatment — cleanse and extract blackheads, milia and basic breakouts: 220,000đ (~$8.5)
- Deep acne treatment — inflamed and closed comedones, targeted treatment: 350,000đ / 70' (~$13.5)
- Acne skin recovery — intensive skin recovery: 350,000đ / 70' (~$13.5)
- CO2 detox — deep skin oxygenation and pore detox: 450,000đ / 75' (~$17)
- Painless acne extraction — enzyme-assisted, for sensitive skin and first-timers: 500,000đ / 75' (~$19)
Body
- Chest acne extraction: 400,000đ (~$15)
- Half-back extraction (upper or lower): 400,000đ (~$15)
- Full-back extraction: 600,000đ (~$23)
How to choose: if you mostly have blackheads and small bumps, Basic is usually enough. If you have red, inflamed spots or lots of closed comedones under the surface, Deep is the better fit. If you are not sure, send a photo on WhatsApp before you book and ask — that is exactly what the message is for.
Just want a relaxing facial, no extraction? That sits in the massage menu instead. Relax & deep cleanse (scalp massage, head acupressure, deep detox cleanse and a lifting facial massage) is 450,000đ / 75' (~$17).
Communicating without speaking Vietnamese
Hana and the team speak Vietnamese. With international clients they communicate through a translation app — before the visit by message, during the session on a phone, and afterwards for aftercare questions. It works well for the things that matter, as long as you share them early. Before your appointment, it is worth sending:
- A clear photo of your skin in daylight, and what bothers you most
- Any acne medication. If you are taking isotretinoin (Accutane), extraction and peels are not recommended — wait at least 6 months after stopping
- Retinoids, acids or other actives you use, and any recent procedures
- Known allergies or products that have caused reactions before
During the treatment, a few simple Vietnamese words can help alongside the app: "nhẹ thôi" (gently, please), "đau quá" (that hurts too much) and "nghỉ chút" (a short break, please). Your therapist will be glad you tried. For more on how we handle English-speaking clients, see Finding an English-speaking spa in Saigon.
Booking via WhatsApp or Calendly
- WhatsApp: message us in English — the easiest option if you want advice on which treatment to book.
- Online: the booking calendar on our homepage runs on Calendly and is fully bilingual. Pick a date, a time and the service.
- No deposit. If you need to cancel, please let us know at least 24 hours ahead.
- Payment is made at the spa after your session, in cash (VND) or by bank transfer.
- Address: 53/30 Trần Khánh Dư, Tân Định — the area most people still call District 1 — down a small alley (hẻm)
- About 10 minutes by Grab from Bến Thành Market. Open in Google Maps or paste the full address into Grab.
- Hours: Monday–Sunday, 10:00–20:00
- One client per room (or two if you book together as a couple), one therapist per client
Aftercare: the first 48 hours
Skin is usually a little pink for the first few hours after extraction and back to normal within about 24 hours, depending on how much was cleared. What you do over the next two days matters as much as the session itself:
- First 12 hours: no makeup, keep your hands off your face, and stay out of the sun.
- Days 2–3: sunscreen every day, a gentle fragrance-free moisturiser, and no exfoliation.
- For at least 5–7 days: skip retinol, AHA/BHA and high-strength vitamin C.
- Never pick at small scabs or flaking skin — let it shed on its own.
Your therapist will adjust this to your skin and send the details by message, so you have them in writing. For the full version, see our guide on aftercare after acne extraction.
When to come back
As a rough guide: every 3–4 weeks for oily, acne-prone skin, every 4–6 weeks for combination skin, and every 6–8 weeks if you only get the occasional breakout. Harmonie will suggest the interval that suits you after your first session. And if your acne is deep, cystic or clearly hormonal, a dermatologist is the right first stop — a spa can support that care, not replace it.
✦ FAQ
Frequently asked questions
