Overview
Blackheads, or comedones, are a type of acne that commonly appears on your face and shoulders. They are caused when the inner opening of your skin pores are clogged with sloughed-off dead skin cells and oil on the skin called sebum. There are innumerable over-the-counter medications that can get rid of blackheads. However, these products can be expensive and can take months before you start to see results. Fortunately, you can easily eliminate blackheads by utilizing an instrument used by dermatologists and professional aestheticians called a comedone extractor, or blackhead remover.
Step 1
Disinfect the blackhead extractor by placing it in a bowl filled with disinfecting solution such as Barbicide or isopropyl alcohol for one hour. Remove the extractor and wipe it dry with a clean facial tissue.
Step 2
Boil a pot of water. Pour the water in a clean bowl. Place your face over the steam with a towel covering your head for 10 minutes. Doing this will open your skin pores. Keep your face about 18 inches away from the steam to avoid burning yourself.
Step 3
Place the hole of the extractor over a blackhead and press down gently. The dirty contents will pop out of the hole without injuring the surrounding skin. Repeat for the other blackheads you find. Use a magnifying mirror to help you locate other blackheads.
Step 4
Gently scrape away oily skin debris at the dip of your chin and the sides of the nostrils with the side of the scoop on the blackhead extractor.
Step 5
Wash your face with cold water to close your pores. Apply an antiseptic cream to your face to kill any bacteria that can get in the skin pores.
