Dermatologists frequently employ blackhead extractors, to get rid of the blackheads that are present beneath the skin. A blackhead is a plug that develops on the pores and is made up of sebum, your skin’s natural lubricant, as well as dirt, dust, and pollution. If you don’t take good care of your skin, your pores may become clogged. In light of this, it is crucial to maintain proper skin hygiene. Do you know how to use the blackhead tool?
They are simple to use and do little harm to delicate skin. To top it all off, blackhead removal tools are much more affordable and versatile than pore strips, which should only be used once. It is therefore not surprising that the blackhead extractor is the most popular at-home method of removing blackheads. See below for details.
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How Do Blackhead Extractors Work?
A stainless steel tool known as a blackhead or comedo extractor is made specifically to remove material stuck in pores safely.
There are many different extractors available to choose from that will meet your needs; they are reasonably priced and can be bought in person or online.
Is It Advisable To Use An Extractor Tool At Home?
Yes, using an at-home extractor can be an effective and reasonably priced solution if you only have a few blackheads or if they appear occasionally.
The best course of action is to seek professional guidance and treatment if you have widespread moderate to severe blackheads, microcomedones (larger than 2–3 mm), or if the blackheads are accompanied by inflammatory lesions.
Knowing how to use these tools properly is essential before attempting to remove blackheads because improper use can result in long-term skin damage.
Can I Pop Blackheads?
If you occasionally get a blackhead, you might be able to squeeze it if you use clean fingers and gently squeeze it.
However, Cutibacterium acnes bacteria are normally present on the skin, and manipulating the lesion in this manner can spread this bacteria and increase the risk of comedones progressing to inflammatory acne – with swelling, redness, and worsening lesions in the form of pus-filled pimples. Scarring and postinflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) may result from this.
Additionally, it is not advised if you have numerous blackheads because the risks are greatly increased.
5 Simple Steps To Use Blackhead Extractor
- To soften and open the pore, apply a warm compress (such as a moist, warm washcloth) to the affected area.
- Alcohol can be used to disinfect the skin and the comedone extractor.
- Pick the wire loop that you want to use. Since it doesn’t apply additional pressure to the affected area, the smaller, more narrow loop is usually a better choice. On a bigger breakout, Dr. Garshick.
- Circumscribe the white or blackhead with the wire loop. Press gently to remove the sebum and dead skin cells clogging the pore. Stop pressing and allow it to rest if nothing emerges from the breakout right away. Stop pressing if any bleeding occurs. It’s likely that in this case the clogged pore’s contents have already been expelled and nothing is left, or that the spot wasn’t yet ready to be popped. Due to the comedones extractor’s pressure, a small bruise may form around the breakout; this bruise will eventually disappear.
- Use soap and water to gently wash your face to get rid of any bacteria that may still be on the skin’s surface. Spot treatments should be avoided as they may aggravate the skin even more. Continue your usual skin-care routine the next day.
Different Types Of Blackhead Extractors
Small, straightforward metal tools called blackhead extractors are used to gently but effectively press the blackhead debris out of the skin. To prevent causing damage to your skin or starting an infection when using an extractor, use caution and accuracy.
To treat lesions of various sizes, you can buy a single tool or spend money on a kit that includes a variety of extractors.
Lancet
A lancet has an extractor on one end to remove sebum and dead skin, and a very small, sharp point on the other end to gently penetrate the tip of a blackhead. Larger blackheads are best treated with lancets.
Small Loop
To remove smaller blackheads, a smaller loop is ideal.
Angled Loop
For areas that are hard to reach, like the crevices in the ear or the side of the nose, an extractor with an angled loop is made to help remove blackheads with greater precision.
Eye Loop
The eyelet end of an eye loop extractor can successfully enclose a blackhead and lightly press on the lesion; this design works best for larger comedones.
Flat Loop
For expressing blackhead matter and reducing irritation or skin damage to the surrounding area, a longer, flatter loop is ideal.
Spoon Extractor
This blackhead extractor has a hole in the middle and is spoon-shaped; it is made to fit over the blackhead precisely. The plug is pushed out to the skin’s surface using slight pressure.
Other Extraction Methods
While a blackhead extractor can be a useful tool in the treatment of blackheads, there are also other reliable extraction techniques available.
Blackhead Vacuums
Blackheads can be avoided by routinely cleaning pores of dirt and oil with blackhead vacuums. They may also be useful in getting rid of current ones.
For best results, use steam to first soften blackheads and make extraction simpler.
Blackhead Tweezers
Professionals frequently employ this technique, which involves using blackhead tweezers with their pointed, curved tips to squeeze and release a comedones contents.
Tips For At-home Blackhead Extraction
- Sanitize: Disinfect your blackhead extractor as well as your hands beforehand
- Exfoliating after cleansing: Before treating blackheads, cleanse and exfoliate to remove the topmost layer of grime and debris to make extraction easier
- Steam or shower: Pores can be effectively opened by heat and steam. Afterward, immediately apply a thin layer of rich moisturizer to form a protective shield to retain this heat; this softens plugs and enables easier extraction
- Be gentle: Use caution when using an extractor and don’t use force; if blackheads resist, continue to use steam and heat to soften the contents and try again
- Protect: Apply a thin layer of antibiotic ointment to help heal and prevent infection
At-home Maintenance
Dead skin cells and oils build up inside pores, causing blackheads to form. By taking a few quick and easy steps, you can stop blackheads from returning.
Cleanse: Choosing a gentle cleanser that is tailored to your skin type is a good idea. For oily skin, which is most prone to blackheads, this is especially crucial. To get rid of extra oils, wash in the morning and at night.
Exfoliate: To remove dead skin cells and debris, exfoliate two to three times per week. Consider salicylic acid, which penetrates deeply to clear pores of dirt and oils, or glycolic acid, which weakens the bonds between skin cells to exfoliate dead skin cells and promote skin cell renewal.
Professional Removal
To treat blackheads, dermatologists also employ extractor tools, so it is best to visit a trained specialist in order to prevent infection, skin damage, or scarring.
One study showed significant success after additional treatments, with a participant success rate of 85%–99%, while using the same technology but a surgical approach.
Salicylic acid chemical peels are another efficient option, as this agent can clear pores of plugs and slough away dead skin cells; microdermabrasion exfoliates dead skin cells and resurfaces the outer layer of skin to help eliminate blackheads.
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