Overview
Blackheads are a form of acne that affects almost everyone at some point in their lives. And while blackheads are a noninflammatory form of acne, they aren’t any easier to get rid of. They most commonly show up on the nose, chin and back, and they often occur in clusters. Blackheads form in partially blocked pores. They get their name because as the oil, dirt and dead skin trapped inside the pore slowly drains to the surface, the pigments in the skin will turn black due to oxidization. Fortunately, there are easy ways to extract blackheads.
Causes
Blackheads, like pimples, can happen for a number of reasons. It’s important to try to identify the root cause to prevent them from happening continually. Some of the most common causes are not drinking enough water, an excess of dead skin cells or facial oil, scrubbing the skin too often or too hard, not properly washing the face, and harmful makeup. There are many different ways to remove blackheads, though each does come with its own risks and benefits.
Home Extraction Methods
Before implementing any extraction method, you should begin with steaming your skin for about 10 minutes in order to open up your pores to make it easier to remove the dirt and dead skin clogging them. Squeezing is the most common extraction method, but should be done with the most caution. Gently squeezing a blackhead to prompt it out is okay, but if it won’t budge, just leave it alone. Squeezing too hard can bruise the skin or even cause scars.
Store-Bought Extraction Methods
Pore strips are a common extraction method and can be bought at any drug store. The sticky glue on the strips latches on to the blackheads and pulls them out of the pores when the strip is removed. Blackhead extractors are the safest and most effective removal method. The extractor looks like a stainless-steel dental tool, except that it has a scooped end with a hole in the middle of it. By pressing the hole over the blackhead, its contents should come right out.
Benefits
Removing blackheads can make your skin look clearer and fresher, as well as make it healthier. Removing the bacteria from your pores can also reduce the chances of getting more blackheads or pimples.
Risks
Despite the benefits of removing blackheads, it should always be done with caution. Forcing a blackhead out can cause deep, pitted scaring that won’t fade with time and can’t be reversed except without cosmetic surgery. Squeezing too hard to remove blackheads can also bruise the skin. It’s also important to wash the skin thoroughly after removing blackheads because the bacteria can easily be spread across the skin and get inside other pores.
