Of all the skin care concerns, how to get rid of blackheads can be one of the most frustrating. For one, blackheads are stubborn and hard to safely remove without professional help. You can try to dig them out yourself, but you risk traumatizing your skin in a way that makes the blackhead you removed seem like NBD (think scarring or hyperpigmentation).
Fortunately, there’s some middle ground in both removing and preventing blackheads. We called in the experts to get the scoop.
What are blackheads?
First, it helps to know what blackheads are (as Sun Tzu says, know your enemy). “Blackheads form when the opening of a pore on your skin becomes clogged with sebum,” says Deanne Mraz Robinson, M.D., a dermatologist in Westport, Connecticut.
According to board-certified dermatologist Brendan Camp of MDCS Dermatology, blackheads are commonly mistaken for dirty pores. "It is a misconception that blackheads actually represent dirt stuck in pores," he says. "Blackheads are also referred to as open comedones. They are a type of
acne that occurs on the skin."
What causes blackheads?
Camp says that blackheads are a side effect of clogged sebum. "Dead skin and oil that accumulates in the pore are oxidized as they are exposed to air, which causes them to
turn dark in color, or black," he adds. Hence the term blackhead.
How to remove blackheads
Learning how to get rid of blackheads can be a game changer, since they can stick around when left unchecked. “Some blackheads can persist for days, weeks, or even months if not extracted, while your body usually clears small whiteheads within a week to 10 days,” says dermatologist Laurel Geraghty, M.D. These tweaks to your skin-care routine can help.
As for what happens if you don't remove blackheads, Camp says the skin condition may worsen and lead to even more issues. “Left untreated, blackheads cause the skin to look congested. Larger blackheads could develop into cysts or inflammatory acne,” he says.
Wondering what draws out blackheads? There are a few methods to consider, including DIY fixes and in-office treatments. To decide which is best for you, we've broken down all the ways to remove blackheads.
Steam your face.
Before you attempt an extraction at home, it’s crucial to loosen up and soften the debris trapped in your pores with some heat. A face steamer is a great way to do this, but if you don’t have one, celebrity esthetician Renée Rouleau has a system that will work in a pinch. Start by taking a shower or washing your face, and then apply a thin layer of the heaviest moisturizer you own to the area you’re extracting. “Moisturizer will create a temporary occlusive seal to keep the heat trapped in your skin, which makes extractions more seamless,” says Rouleau.
Then cover the area with plastic wrap, and apply a hot, damp washcloth, and layer another one on top. “Layering the washcloths will ensure that the heat is retained in your skin,” she says. “For safe extractions and the easiest removal, it’s important to have your skin as soft as possible.” After a few minutes, remove the cloths and the plastic, and add another layer of moisturizer to keep your skin moist before going into your extractions.
Lonove Facial Steamer
Dr. Dennis Gross Pro Facial Steamer
If you must squeeze, never use your nails.
Is it OK to squeeze out blackheads? Yes, but “the key is to be gentle,” says Geraghty. “Every day I see patients who pick, scratch, and extract spots on their skin, and this puts them at risk of permanent scarring.”
