"At-home pore vacuuming devices have only shown to help with blackheads that are already loosened in the skin,” says Dana Rice, master esthetician in the Department of Dermatology at University of Utah Health. “They can cause damage to the skin with excessive exfoliation and suction."
Since a pore vacuum sucks the gunk out of your pores, you not only significantly reduce whiteheads, blackheads and pimples, but you also avoid scarring that can happen from popping them with your fingernails or an extractor.
Deep blackheads should be removed by a medical professional — usually a dermatologist or medical aesthetician. They use a small tool with rigid metal loops on the ends (blackhead or comedo extractor) to apply even pressure to your blackheads.
Per Dr Hall's recommendation, you should always exercise with some caution when it comes to pore vacuums. ``You can cause harm such as bruising to the skin or broken capillaries if they are not used properly -- ie the settings are too high or you get tempted to hold them still over one place for too long.
As acne occurs due to an overproduction of sebum, deep blackheads often appear in areas that have a higher concentration of sebaceous glands. Sebaceous glands are small glands in the skin that are responsible for the production of sebum.
Dr. Dennis Gross, a renowned dermatologist, warns that high suction settings can lead to micro-tears in the skin, resulting in redness, irritation, and even broken capillaries. This is especially true for individuals with sensitive skin or underlying skin conditions such as rosacea.
Make sure the device is sufficiently charged, powered on, and that your chosen silicone suction attachment is firmly connected to the remover tool. Press the tool firmly against the blackhead, and increase the suction intensity if necessary.
Do pore strips actually work? Essentially, yes. "They work and you can visibly see that they do work in terms of taking the clogged pores out," Tzu said. "But they work to a limited extent." They likely won't remove all of the blackheads that you're seeing (especially if you're not applying the strip correctly).
Use Products With Salicylic Acid
One go-to ingredient for eliminating blackheads is salicylic acid, a beta hydroxy acid that increases cell turnover and unclogs pores, says Saedi. Suozzi adds that the acne treatment can help dry active acne lesions because it is a mild chemical irritant.
A dilated pore of Winer is a common, giant blackhead pimple, found on your head, neck and torso. Dilated pores of Winer occur on adults and the elderly. Your healthcare provider can easily remove it if you don't like how it looks on your skin.
Chemical peels
The procedure can unclog pores and start up new skin growth. You get a chemical peel in your doctor's office. It removes cells from the top layer of your skin. Common ingredients in chemical peel products are salicylic, glycolic, and retinoic acids.
Removing them can make the pore more prominent and appear like a tiny hole. However, the hole would exist even before the blackhead.
"At-home pore vacuuming devices have only shown to help with blackheads that are already loosened in the skin,” says Dana Rice, master esthetician in the Department of Dermatology at University of Utah Health. “They can cause damage to the skin with excessive exfoliation and suction."
Pimples: If you leave blackheads be, they can get all irritated and turn into pimples. Bacteria can build up in those clogged pores, making them red and swollen. Acne and Acne Scars: Stubborn blackheads can actually pave the way for acne to step in.
Prolonged exposure to the air causes the blockage to oxidize and darken. Because the pore gets stretched out of shape, it will fill back up again even after it is emptied. These stubborn pores are most likely to occur on the face, chest and back.
For mild blackheads, use salicylic acid
"The combination of physical exfoliation from the scrub and chemical exfoliation from the salicylic acid can help keep the pores clear," Dr. Zeichner says. A couple of our favorite salicylic acid scrubs include the St.
The good news: Handy tools called blackhead extractors work wonders in bringing these pesky spots to the surface. The bad news: Using them incorrectly might do more harm than good.
Chemical peels can help to remove deep blackheads through skin regeneration, but it's important to note that skin irritation can occur but does usually clear within 7-14 days. The good news? You can expect to start seeing the results in as little as 3-5 days [9]. Microdermabrasion is another great option.
Extractions – for those who have numerous blackheads or whiteheads, a dermatologist may recommend an extraction. It can be tempting to pop pimples at home, but this increases the risk of scarring, inflammation, and infection. Professional extractions are a safe and effective option for whitehead and blackhead removal.