Overview
Blackheads and whiteheads are skin blemishes that happen to just about everyone at some point in their life. They occur when oil and dead skin build up in your facial pores. This is caused many times by sweating or failing to wash your face correctly. The places that blackheads and whiteheads form are typically on your chin, nose, forehead and cheeks. You can remove them by correctly washing your face, taking the right medication, and talking to your doctor.
Step 1
Rub aloe vera into your skin. Aloe vera is an enzyme which kills the bacteria that builds up in your pores. Aloe vera can also bring down the inflammation that your skin blemishes cause. You can buy aloe vera gel at the pharmacy, or you can buy an aloe vera plant at a nursery. If you have an aloe vera plant, break off a piece of it from the plant. Squeeze the liquid into your hand and rub it onto the affected areas of your skin. If you buy an aloe vera gel, make sure the product contains a high level of aloe. There are many products on the market that claim to be aloe vera but that contain a very small amount of the actual enzyme.
Step 2
Steam your face to remove your blemishes. The steam can help extract the oil and dead skin in your pores.
Put a pot of water on the stove and boil it. Pour the boiling water into a bowl and position your face above the steam. Make sure your face is close enough to feel the heat from the steam, but not too close. If your skin is too close to the steam, you can burn and scald yourself, which will make your blemishes worse. Place a towel over your head so it forms a tent-like shape between you and the bowl. Stay underneath the tent for at least 10 minutes. Wash your face with a mild cleanser to remove all the dirt and oil just released from your skin.
Step 3
Go to your dermatologist. Your doctor can prescribe a medication that will help remove your blackheads and whiteheads. The Cleveland Clinic says that certain medicines can break up the dirt and oil in your blemishes and help prevent blackheads and whiteheads from forming in the future. The most commonly prescribed forms of medicines your doctor will prescribe are retinoids, including Tazora, Retin-A and Differin.
Step 4
Visit your esthetician. A cosmetology professional can remove your blackheads and whiteheads safely. He or she will use an extractor, which is a long thin tool with loops on either end that removes all dirt and oil from pores. Make sure you visit a certified professional esthetician; otherwise, they can perform the treatment incorrectly, leaving scars on your skin.
