Blackheads are a mild form of acne that happens when your skin’s hair follicles get clogged. When you see a blackhead, you might feel like popping blackheads and move on with your life.(Trusted Source)
Most of the time, though, popping a blackhead can cause a whole new set of problems. Let us first understand how to spot a blackhead before heading over to the step by step guide.
How To Spot A Blackhead
You might not have blackheads if you see small black dots on the bridge of your nose or on the sides of your cheeks. Even though blackheads are caused by hair follicles, sometimes pores and follicles that look blocked are just more obvious because of oil buildup.
If oil buildup is really the problem, trying to pop a blackhead that isn’t there could hurt your skin. If a blackhead is just oil buildup, popping it won’t help because the oil will usually just come back.
If you try to force a clog out of a pore, you could hurt or infect your skin. But blackheads are less dangerous to pop than other kinds of pimples because they are open pores.
There are safer ways to deal with a blocked hair follicle, even if you’re sure you have to pop it. This article will talk about popping blackheads.
Steps For Acne Pimple Popping Blackheads
Spend some time in a warm shower or bath before you try to get rid of a blackhead. Steam can help your pores relax, and the clog will start to loosen on its own.
Follow these steps when you’re ready to open your pores:
- Get your hands clean. This is a must if you want to stop an infection from spreading in your dermis, which is the layer of skin where bacteria can easily get stuck. If you have plastic or latex gloves, you might want to wear them.
- Press on the area around the blackhead. If you need to, you can put a piece of tissue or clean cotton gauze between your hands and the blackhead.
- Go back and forth with your fingers around the blocked pore. Keep in mind that you’re trying to pop out a blockage made of dried oil and dead skin cells that is still in one piece. You might need to try different amounts of pressure and different ways to hold your fingers. Don’t push so hard that your skin gets cut or bruised.
- Feel the blockage come loose. If these steps don’t help you get rid of the clog, your skin may need some time to heal before you try again.
- Use a mild astringent or toner to clean the area. This will kill bacteria that are bad for you and keep your pores clear of the gunk that caused your blackhead.
When To Do Nothing
Most of the time, you can tell if a clog in your pore is close to the skin’s surface or not.
When oil clogs in your pores are exposed to oxygen, they turn black. This is how they get their colour to begin with. Most blackheads are close enough to the surface of the skin that it is safe to try to get rid of them.
If you tried popping blackhead but couldn’t, leave it alone for a day or two. Most of the time, if you give your skin time, it will clear the blockage on its own.
“Hands-off” is by far the best thing for your skin. The best thing you can do for your blackhead is to let it heal on its own. To put it another way, you shouldn’t pop it or squeeze it.
If you do squeeze a blackhead, you might get some pus out of it. The problem is that when you squeeze the blackhead, it moves up and down. Not only are you moving pus, but you are also moving other things. At the centre of the blackhead is a plug made of dead skin cells and sebum, a natural oil.
When you squeeze a blackhead, you push this plug deeper into the skin pore where the blackhead is. The pressure of the popping may also cause the pore wall to break. This happens below the surface of the skin, where you can’t see it. This means that the infection can spread in the dermis layer of the skin.
Because of this, popping a blackhead can hurt more than leaving it alone. The more damaged your skin is, the more likely it is that you will get acne scars.
Some Things That Can Help
You could also try over-the-counter products like strips that clean pores, retinoids, and cleansers with salicylic acid.
But using pore strips can also take away the skin’s natural oils, which can make the skin red and dry.
Keep in mind that most blackheads are caused by your skin making too much oil. Even if you find a product that helps you get rid of blackheads, they’ll keep coming back if you don’t deal with what’s causing them.
If you have blackheads that won’t go away, you might want to get them extracted by an aesthetician or a dermatologist. Some aestheticians offer 30-minute facials that are just for extractions.
Extractors: What You Need To Know
Blackheads can be taken off with tools called comedone extractors. Most of the time, these tools are made of steel and have a small circle at the end. To easily get rid of blackheads with comedone extractors, you’ll need to use them a few times.
A comedone extractor is no safer than any other tool for getting rid of blackheads on your own. It is best to have a professional do it.
What To Do After Taking It Out?
After a blackhead is gone, your pore will look smaller. Because the oil and dirt have been cleaned off. Swipe a toner, like witch hazel, over the area to kill any bacteria you may have spread and to condition your pores.
You might not want to touch the area directly while your skin heals. If dirt or another irritant gets into the area, it can cause another blackhead.
How To Avoid Getting Blackheads
If you take care of your skin and try to avoid getting blackheads, you won’t have to try to get them out yourself. Think about these ways to get rid of and avoid blackheads.
- If you have sensitive skin or dry skin that tends to flake, gently scrub or brush your skin with a dry brush or cleansing scrub every day. Skin flakes can get in your pores and make a place for blackheads to grow.
- Use a moisturising cream without scent to keep your skin hydrated.
- For healthier skin, drink a lot of water throughout the day.
- Make sure to remove all of your makeup and other products from your skin properly every night. Moisture can be added while cleansing with micellar water or makeup-removing wipes made with cucumber.
If you have oily skin, try a clay mask to soak up the oil and make your skin look less shiny
- Try adding salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide to your routine for taking care of your skin. These ingredients can break up oil plugs so they don’t block your pores.
- You can make your own baking soda scrub to soak up oil and keep your pores in good shape.
- To treat your skin, use a retinoid cream or serum. Be aware that this ingredient can make your skin more prone to damage from the sun, so always use a light SPF when you go outside.
Dr Pimple Popper Popping Blackheads Top Videos
There are a lot of videos on YouTube of dermatologists and regular people taking gooey fluids out of blackheads, cysts, and other skin problems. There are a lot of people who watch and share these videos. If you look at how many people follow “Dr. Pimple Popper” Sandra Lee on Instagram and YouTube, you can see that the pop-aholic crowd is more mainstream than you might think.
People also like to squeeze and pop their own pimples or the pimples of their partners. Here’s why people love it, how it all works.
A giant blackhead extracted in an 85 y.o accompanied by her daughter.
Dr. Pimple Popper’s Top Pops: Blackheads!!
Conclusion
Most people can safely get rid of a blackhead every now and then, but it’s important not to make it a habit.
Make an appointment with a dermatologist if you have blackheads that keep coming back. They can help you find more permanent solutions.
