King says blackhead vacuums can lead to skin damage if you use high suction, especially if you have sensitive or rosacea-prone skin. Common unwanted side effects include: bruising. micro-tears.
Do dermatologists recommend using pore vacuums? In short, yes. Since these vacuums make the process of unclogging pores and clearing skin a lot faster and easier, many experts have given at-home devices an official nod of approval.
Pore vacuums are generally safe to use on blackheads and whiteheads, but not deep-rooted or very inflamed pimples. Be gentle. The biggest risks come from holding the vacuum in one spot for too long and turning the suction up too high. The result is bruising and broken blood vessels.
Poor results are only one of the risks of trying to vacuum your pores yourself – or have it done by someone without experience. If too much suction is applied to the skin you can suffer bruising or a condition called telangiectasias. “Telangiectasias are small broken blood vessels in the skin,” said Rice.
According to Zeichner, you should start a vacuum once per week at first, as your skin begins to tolerate it, before progressing to twice or three times per week.
According to board-certified dermatologists Joshua Zeichner, MD and Lily Talakoub, MD, the answer is generally yes. "Pore vacuums offer mild suction to help remove blackheads from the skin," Dr. Zeichner explains.
It can be very tempting — and satisfying — to squeeze out or pop blackheads. However, squeezing out blackheads can create several problems: You may not remove the entire blackhead. You may even push the blackhead further into your skin, which can cause painful irritation.
There is nothing that can permanently harm your face more than trying to perform your own face extractions at home. Using a blackhead blemish extractor is a one-way ticket to scarring, infection and even more breakouts.
Blackhead extraction may seem like an easy task, especially with the various tools available. However, when not done right, it can push the blackhead deeper into the skin or leave scars.
After using a pore cleansing tool, be sure to disinfect and apply moisturizer to soothe your skin. It may feel a little red and tender after the treatment.
Next, the esthetician uses cotton- or tissue-wrapped fingers to apply gentle pressure to each blackhead or blemish. Some estheticians may also use a small metal tool called a comedone extractor to release the blackhead plug from the pore.
For deep blackheads, dermatologists use photopneumatic therapy. The process involves a combination of intense pulsed light lasers and a hand-held vacuum. Using these together allows your dermatologist to get deep into your pores to remove dead skin cells and excess sebum.
A pore extractor is a stainless steel implement with a loop on either end. The loop is placed around the clogged pore and the tool is pressed against the skin, thus placing pressure around the pore and encouraging the extraction of anything that may be in the pore.
Substance buildup
Sebaceous glands secrete oil called sebum, which helps moisturize the skin and protect it from bacteria. However, a buildup of dead skin cells and sebum can cause nose pores to become blocked. A person who produces too much sebum may be more likely to develop clogged pores.
It's irreversible damage,” says Dr. Henry. Damaging your skin by squeezing or picking can also cause inflammation, hyperpigmentation and scarring. Squeezing additionally introduces bacteria, oil and dirt from your hands into your pores, which can lead to more blackheads.
Pores can become clogged with excess oil, dead skin, or dirt, or they can appear more prominent as a result of too much sun exposure. Other factors that can influence pores becoming clogged include genetics and hormones.
Acne extraction is usually offered when other acne treatment fails to clear the skin. it's rarely a first choice because it takes time and can be expensive. When performed by a dermatologist, acne extraction is a safe way to get rid of blackheads and whiteheads.
"I would never recommend this method to any patient," San Francisco-based dermatologist William Kwan, MD, told Health. "Vaseline can clog pores and applying plastic wrap is physically occluding the pores.
Exfoliate. Use an exfoliating scrub on the skin once a week to help remove the dead skin cells that contribute to blackheads. A scrub may also improve the overall appearance of the skin. Avoid exfoliating if it irritates the skin, and stop using a scrub if it makes the skin feel dry or sore.
The white stuff that comes out of your pores like thin strings when you squeeze your nose is called a sebaceous filament. It's mostly made up of sebum (oil that your skin produces) and dead skin cells. This substance typically collects in pores around your nose and chin.
Pore vacuuming is also somewhat a double-edged sword. While you're likely interested in using one to prevent breakouts, these devices can actually bring deep pimples to the surface, causing the breakout to breach the surface of the skin (and become visible) sooner than it would have on its own.