If a blackhead is close to the surface of your skin, it's more likely to go away on its own. However, some blackheads can be deeply embedded in your skin. Deep, embedded blackheads are less likely to go away on their own. If you have embedded blackheads, a dermatologist or medical aesthetician can remove them.
Using a gentle chemical exfoliator will also help you get rid of your blackheads and reduce their appearance over time. A lightweight serum or essence with salicylic acid will help you with this. Salicylic acid for blackheads is highly effective and removes them from your skin gently.
Manual removal
A professional dermatologist can extract deep blackheads safely and offer advice on aftercare. It is also important to avoid squeezing the skin to remove blackheads, as this can damage it and worsen its appearance.
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 wealth of research suggests salicylic acid helps treat acne.
Salicylic acid
It breaks down dead skin cells and extra oil before they can clog your pores. When you go to the pharmacy, check the ingredient labels carefully. You'll find products with salicylic acid that range in strength from 0.5% to 5%. The acid can be harsh on some people's skin.
Key Takeaways. Blackheads result from clogged pores, often due to factors like hormones, hygiene, and dead skin cell buildup. At times, your skin naturally exfoliates to deal with blackheads, but untreated ones may transform into pimples.
Applying toothpaste on blackheads: Yes, there's an idea circulating the web that you can use toothpaste to extract your nose blackheads. Don't buy it! Toothpaste can cause dryness and irritation, causing more skincare troubles than it's worth.
As more of this detritus collects and the pore remains clogged, it can dilate in size due to its packed contents. 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.
“My go-to treatment for blackheads is recommending a salicylic acid wash once a day,” he says. “There are even medicated face wipes that contain it.” If you want to try salicylic acid, start off by using a product that contains between 2% and 4%.
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).
Slugging, or slathering your face with Vaseline, isn't a great way to treat acne. In fact, it can make acne worse for some individuals. You can use Vaseline as a remedy for other skin problems like skin injuries, chafing, or dry skin.
Whiteheads and blackheads can be treated and removed, but there is no permanent cure for these types of acne. They are caused by the accumulation of oil and dead skin cells in the pores, which can be managed through proper skin care and treatment.
Removing them can make the pore more prominent and appear like a tiny hole. However, the hole would exist even before the blackhead.
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.
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.
While it's not a direct blackhead removal method, some believe that waxing can help in indirectly targeting blackheads. The process of waxing involves applying warm wax to the skin and then swiftly removing it, which can also remove the upper layer of dead skin cells.
Make sure the remover is clean and free of any dirt, dust, or other debris. The product may not work properly if it is dirty. In addition, ensure that it is completely dry, as it may not turn on or work properly if water has made its way into one of the remover tool's openings.
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.