A Deep Pore-Cleansing Protocol for Combination Skin: A 2-Session Case Study

Two sessions — and this client's skin looked noticeably clearer around the pores, smoother in texture, and more even in tone.

He came in with combination, breakout-prone skin: congested pores on the nose and cheeks, uneven texture, residual dark marks from past breakouts, and an overall dullness.

Licensed Esthetician Gina Maltese built the protocol around what the skin was showing, combining several technologies in a deliberate sequence:

Cleanse → HydroDiamond→ Cold Plasma → Infuse → Protect

Gina Maltese, Licensed Esthetician

This protocol was performed

by Gina Maltese — a Licensed Esthetician with over a decade of experience (since 2013) and the owner of two spas: one in the Poconos, Pennsylvania, and one in Ventura, California.

She works closely with dermatologists and plastic surgeons and builds each treatment individually — guided by what the skin is showing and what the client wants.

Skin Concerns & Treatment Goals

Client: male
Skin type: combination / breakout-prone, Fitzpatrick V
Main concern: congested pores, uneven texture, dullness
Visible signs: pore congestion (nose + cheeks), residual dark marks, uneven tone, visible blackheads
Sessions: 2
Recommended every 4–6 weeks
Protocol goal: clearer-looking pores, smoother texture, and overall skin refinement
Visible result: a clearer pore zone, smoother texture, more even tone, and a more radiant look

What the Skin Was Showing

Pore congestion

Buildup of sebum and surface debris in the follicles made the pores on the nose and cheeks more noticeable and the blackheads visible

Uneven texture

Micro-roughness on the surface scattered light unevenly, so the skin looked dull even where there were no active breakouts.

Residual dark marks

Past breakouts left areas of darker marks and uneven tone

Dullness

Surface buildup of corneocytes reduced how evenly the skin reflected light, and the skin lost its fresh look

Protocol Logic: How Each Step Built the Result

Step 1. Double Cleanse

What was done: A two-step cleanse to remove sebum, SPF residue, and surface debris.
Why: To clear the surface film from the skin.
What happened in the skin: The lipid-and-debris film was lifted from the stratum corneum, leaving the surface evenly prepared for the enzymatic step.

Step 2. Enzymatic / Lactic-Acid Prep

What was done: Application of an enzyme-acid formula with lactic acid.
Why: To soften congestion and loosen surface buildup before extractions — making removal more controlled and atraumatic.
What happened in the skin: Lactic acid (an AHA) loosens the bonds between dry corneocytes, while the enzymes soften the compacted pore content, so the next mechanical step goes more gently.

Step 3. HydroDiamond — Exfoliation

What was done: Exfoliation with the HydroDiamond modality using a diamond tip on the Zemits DermeLuxx PRO platform.
Why: To mechanically remove the enzyme-softened surface buildup, refine texture, and prepare the pores for the hydro extraction that follows.
What happened in the skin: The diamond tip mechanically removes the softened corneocytes from the stratum corneum; the surface becomes more even and reflects light more uniformly — the skin looks clearer and fresher.

Step 4. HydroDiamond — Hydro Extraction

What was done: Targeted hydro extraction with the HydroDiamond modality using an acrylic tip across the congested zones (nose, cheeks), plus spot manual extractions where stubborn congestion remained.
Why: To clear the softened pore content right where the congestion was concentrated.
What happened in the skin: Controlled vacuum removes the surface buildup from the follicles, reducing the look of blackheads and making the pores look visibly clearer. The vacuum strength is matched to the skin so the process stays effective yet gentle.

Step 5. Cold Plasma

What was done: Cold plasma applied over the congested zones after extractions.
Why: To support a cleaner, calmer-looking surface after the active work and prepare it for better uptake of the next serum.
What happened in the skin: Cold plasma generated reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS), supporting skin surface decontamination and recovery while increasing the permeability of the superficial skin layers for the serum step that followed.

Step 6. Oxygen Infusion Therapy

What was done: Infusion of a soothing, hydrating serum onto the prepared surface, using the Oxygen Infusion Therapy modality on the Zemits DermeLuxx PRO.
Why: To restore comfort and a hydrated look right after the active steps.
What happened in the skin: Hydrating ingredients hold water at the surface, so the skin looks plumper and calmer, and the tone looks more even.

Step 7. Barrier Comfort + SPF

What was done: A finishing step for barrier comfort and SPF application.
Why: To lock in post-treatment comfort and protect the even-looking tone.
What happened in the skin: The finishing layer over the stratum corneum reduces moisture loss and gives a smoother skin feel, and SPF is essential to maintaining an even tone.

Protocol Synergy: Why It Worked

The result came from a sequence where each step set up the next: first a cleansed, softened surface, then controlled extractions over prepared pores, then support for an even look and hydration over the already-refined skin.

After two sessions, the skin looked clearer, smoother, and more even in tone.

After the first session, the client said his skin felt smooth and clean, and the difference in his pores — especially on the nose — was visible right away.

Visible Result After Two Session

Visible Result After 2 Sessions

pores on the nose look noticeably clearer, with less congestion
texture is smoother and more refined
fewer visible blackheads and less surface buildup
more even tone; residual dark marks look softer
a fresher, more radiant look with more even light reflection
a calmer, more balanced-looking complexion

Esthetician Insights

Prep the surface chemically/enzymatically before extractions. Softened congestion comes out in a more controlled, atraumatic way.
Control the vacuum. Strong enough to be effective, gentle enough to stay in control.
Cold plasma strengthens the protocol result: it supports surface decontamination after extractions and better skin receptivity to the next serum.
Focus on the most congested zones — the nose and cheeks — but work the whole face for an even result.
A series delivers a better result than a single session. The effect builds from session to session.