It's actually completely normal for you to have some holes initially after removing blackheads. This is because the dirt and debris filling the pore is suddenly gone, leaving a small space.
Unfortunately, however, there are no permanent and comprehensive fixes to said issue of blackhead pores/holes. But you can minimize the appearance of these pesky pits by tightening your pores and using techniques to prevent the holes from clogging again.
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.
The enlarged pore, once emptied of its unsightly contents, will only fill back up again. Repeated squeezing and/or extraction can lead to an infection or cause hyperpigmentation in the surrounding skin cells.
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.
“Squeezing, picking, pulling, prodding—all of that can stretch the elastic around the pores, which makes them wider and larger, and they won't bounce back into shape. Ultimately, your pores will look larger and become increasingly more visible. The perimeter of your pore is like the neck of a t-shirt.
It's Not Okay to Squeeze Out Blackheads
It's tempting, and very satisfying, to squeeze out blackheads yourself, but it can actually cause more to pop up.
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. You may introduce bacteria or more oil into the blackhead opening.
The skin in this area contains more oil glands than other parts of your face and body, which is one of the main factors why blackheads often pop up on your nose. Each pore has a hair follicle and sebaceous gland, which produces sebum that naturally moisturizes the skin.
What causes a dilated pore of Winer? A dilated pore of Winer forms similar to a blackhead pimple, where dead skin cells clog the pore (hair follicle). As a result, the dead skin cells in the pore create a protein (sebum and keratin) that collects and plugs up the pore, causing the pore to enlarge (dilate).
While acne often makes its presence very known above the skin, the reason it leaves scarring behind actually has to do with what's happening underneath the skin. "During a breakout, inflammation is happening underneath your skin. This inflammation causes trauma to skin tissue — leading to scarring," says Christenson.
After you remove a blackhead, your pore will appear smaller. That's because the dirt and oil have been removed. Swipe a toner, such as witch hazel, over the area to kill any bacteria you may have spread and to condition your pores.
Pockmarks are deep scars on the skin that do not usually go away on their own. They are often caused by severe acne but can also be the result of skin infections or chickenpox. There are a number of treatments and home remedies that may help reduce the appearance of the scars and improve the look and feel of the skin.
A dermatologist can help rid your skin of blackheads. “There are in-office treatments that can help diminish the appearance of pores,” Suozzi points out. These include nonablative resurfacing (aka laser treatments) such as Fraxel laser or Clear + Brilliant laser or microneedling.
“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.”
How long does it take blackhead holes to close? Since blackhead holes are enlarged pores, only time and proper skin management can tell. Enlarged pores may take up to 2 months to close, but remember that they will shrink naturally in time.
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.
Clogged pores can be the result of your glands producing too much oil. More oil on your skin increases the risk of clogged pores. But lots of other things can lead to enlarged pores, including age, skin products, hair follicles and sun damage.
Extractions aren't a one-off thing. Pores tend to clog up again, meaning you may need regular treatments. Shainhouse, who practices at Beverly Hills' SkinSafe Dermatology and Skin Care, advises limiting extractions to once or twice a month.
Once you've extracted, you'll need to apply a toner, this helps to kill bacteria and bring the PH level of the skin back between a 5.5 and 7. Afterward, apply a pimple cream or acne gel that has salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide as the main active ingredient.
Dermal Fillers: Apart from treating wrinkles and enhancing facial contours, dermal fillers can help fill acne holes on the face. Doctors often inject hyaluronic acid into acne scars to raise them to the skin's surface and make the texture appear even.