These develop as a result of dead skin cells and oil that get clogged in your pores. The affected pores stay opened, allowing for oxidation at the surface — this is what gives blackheads the dark color they're notorious for. While blackheads can occur anywhere, cheeks are especially prone to this type of acne.
'You should absolutely not squeeze blackheads. Squeezing a spot can push the inflammation deeper and this can cause scarring of the skin,' she says. Squeezing a spot can push the inflammation deeper and this can cause scarring of the skin.
“Gently press on each side of the blackhead until it begins to release,” she says. “Apply slow and even pressure, and once you are able, lightly pinch the tweezers and pull the blacked out material from the skin to extract it. If the blackhead does not release easily, do not continue to attempt the extraction.”
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.
When the build-up arrives at the surface, the mix of sebum and dead skin cells oxidises and turns black. You can use a scrub to remove the top part of the blackhead but that does not take care of the underlying cause. The blackhead will soon resurface. Instead, try a well-formulated product with BHA (salicylic acid).
First, blackheads are not caused by skin being dirty. That's why washing your face in an effort to cleanse skin of blackheads won't work. Cleansing will help remove excess surface oil, but a cleanser can't reach farther into the pores where the blackheads are rooted. Blackheads can't be scrubbed away.
Most blackheads are close enough to the skin's surface to attempt safe removal. If you've tried to remove a blackhead and the blockage won't come out, leave it alone for a day or two. In most cases, your skin will clear the blockage on its own if you give it time.
Washing the face correctly can spare a person with blackheads the need to visit a dermatologist. It is often the case that cleaning the skin at home is the best first-line treatment for acne and blackheads. Good skin hygiene can help to keep the pores unclogged. However, over-scrubbing can do more harm than good.
The general rule of thumb is three times per week for oily or combination skin, and just once weekly for sensitive skin, Dr. Marchbein says.
Don't squeeze the pores on your nose
While it may get rid of the darker dots short term, it can also: damage skin tissue. enlarge the pores. lead to infection.
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.
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.
Dermatologists Weigh in on the Vaseline Method
"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.
Complications from a blackhead
If you don't disinfect the area before and after you get the blackhead out, bacteria can get into the pore and cause an infection. If pores are infected, the skin can become inflamed and cause acne, which is the inflammation that results from clogged pores.
Cleanse with salicylic acid
Instead of benzoyl peroxide, look for over-the-counter (OTC) products that contain salicylic acid. Salicylic acid is the preferred ingredient for treating blackheads and whiteheads because it breaks down the materials that clog pores: excess oil. dead skin cells.
Some factors can increase your chances of developing acne and blackheads, including: producing too much body oil. the buildup of the Propionibacterium acnes bacteria on the skin. irritation of the hair follicles when dead skins cells don't shed on a regular basis.
"Because some people are genetically prone to developing blackheads, they can always come back after removal," says Samolitis. "Regular use of salicylic acid and retinol can keep them at bay but won't clear them 100 percent.
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.
For the best results, I recommend you extract blackheads and clogged pores immediately after a shower since the skin temperature has been raised. This will soften the hardened oil within the pore, making for easier extractions.