A blackhead extractor, sometimes called a comedone extractor, is a special tool designed to remove the dirt and skin cell plugs that cause blackheads.
“Pore vacuums are generally safe to use, but be sure to use appropriate settings depending on your skin,” says Dr. Reszko. In other words, cranking the vacuum up to the highest setting won't necessarily extract more blackheads—but it may just leave you with your first hickey since high school.
It's pretty simple — pore vacuums are handheld suction devices with interchangeable tips. When placed over a “congested” area of the skin, the suction helps release keratin plugs, the dermatology name for blackheads. “Blackheads form as a result of keratin (dead skin cells), sebum, and dirt,” says Dr.
While extractions are great for cleaning out clogged pores, they will not reduce your risk of pimples coming back. Every person's skin is different and the first step to preventing buildup is often with your at-home skincare routine.
No pore is safe
Let's put it this way, most skin care pros don't even use metal extractors. Why? Because they are dangerous. They dent in the skin and have no "give," meaning they can push dirt and debris further into the pore, causing infections and even more breakouts.
Yes, DIY extraction can be highly satisfying. But it isn't always healthy for your skin. You need to know which blemishes are ripe for popping and which ones should be left alone. Most importantly, you need to know how to extract without leaving a red, raw mess behind.
Do holes from blackheads go away completely? A blackhead hole will never go away on its own as the dirt buildup stretches and enlarges it. What you can do is clean it with salicylic acid, reduce inflammation using retinoids, and heal the skin and tighten it with a non-comedogenic moisturizer.
"Because blackheads are hard and trapped inside pores they can't be 'scrubbed away' or washed off," Sarkar said. "Most often, they need extraction." But even if they're extracted, they could keep coming back because your nose — with all of its glands — will continue to excrete oil.
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.
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.
The Final Takeaway
As our experts shared, a pore vacuum isn't a substitute for a simple, effective skincare routine. If you're thinking you can zap an active pimple with a vacuum, don't do it—spot treat it instead. When you're ready for a deep clean, leave it to the hands of your dermatologist.
For starters, you should wash your face and disinfect the tip of the pore vacuum to ensure that you're working with a clean, germ-free surface and tool. Secondly, Dr. Zalka recommends gently steaming your face to 'open up' the pores and loosen the debris deep within.
An esthetician can remove your blackheads during a facial treatment. This is a safe procedure that can help your skin look smoother and prevent breakouts. Blackheads and closed comedones can be extracted.
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.
Your pores can become clogged for a number of reasons – excess oil resulting from hormonal changes, dry skin, a buildup of dead skin cells, or dirt and oil becoming stuck beneath the surface.
Blackheads are caused by dirt and oil that clog your pores and turn black when exposed to air. Help prevent and get rid of nose blackheads by incorporating a combination of cleansers with Salicylic Acid, pore strips, and gentle exfoliation into your skincare routine.
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.
While cellophane tape could possibly remove surface dead skin cells, it's unclear how effective this method is in removing clogged gunk in your pores. Don't use masking, duct, industrial, or any other type of tape that could be harmful to your skin.
When you have blackheads, these large pores become clogged with a substance known as sebum. A chemical reaction with the sebum occurs under your skin. Melanin is oxidized and turns the clogged pores a black color.
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.
It's almost like steaming the face. 'Petroleum jelly dilutes the dried up oxidized oil, creating a hard-topped plug of oil in the pore which is then easier to squeeze out and clear. '
Controlling excess sebum production, then, can help prevent pore blockage and zits. Research from 2017 suggests hyaluronic acid doesn't just help lock in moisture. It can also help control sebum production, which makes it a potentially useful ingredient for acne prevention.