Hi Samantha,
Thank you for your question! To echo the previous answer, the product or ingredient chosen to assist with extractions depends on your client's skin type, and the type of extractions you are doing. As a general rule though, alkalinity is key in helping to soften extractions and make them easier to perform and desincrustantion products are frequently used to make extractions easier. The most common alkaline ingredient used to assist with extractions is baking soda and it is often combined with some form of salt that works to soften the proteins of the skin further. Additionally, many desincrustants have supportive ingredients such as chamomile, aloe, or echinacea that can help to offset the irritation and inflammation that can occur with tough extractions.
Adding steam can also increase the softening effect, as the heat from the steaming machine helps the pores to "relax" as well as softens any debris within the follicle. Many desincrustation products can also be used with galvanic current, which increases the desincrustation effect, softening the sebum and keratin protein in the follicle further. You'll want to make sure you refer to the product manufacturer's recommendations to ensure the product is designed to be used with a galvanic machine before doing so.
I hope this information was helpful -- Happy extracting!
Brian Goodwin