Of all the types of acne teenagers and adults have to deal with, blackheads seem to be the most pesky and unsightly. Blackheads form when the hair follicle (or pore if you wish) becomes partially clogged. A pimple never forms so the dead skin remains lodged in the pore. Many people become irritated at the fact that these lesions don’t respond to conventional acne treatments. So, they turn to drastic measures to remove them. While you will have to resort to more intrusive methods to eliminate blackheads, some precautions need to be taken to prevent skin irritation and to ensure that you don’t introduce new bacteria to the surface of the skin. Below we will describe some tips to help you clear your skin of blackheads without causing unneeded damage.

Anyone with a basic knowledge of the skin should know that it responds differently to hot and cold water. When we wash our face with cold water, for instance, our pores contract. The exact opposite happens when we use hot water. Since a blackhead is lodged pretty deeply inside our pores, we need to the benefits of hot water to our advantage. That does not mean you should go ahead and apply steaming water to your face. This can cause irritation and possible burns. What you should do is sit in shower steam for five to ten minutes to allow your pores to open. This will make the area more responsive to squeezing.

When you have completed your shower, move to the front of a mirror. Examine your fingernails to ensure they will not interfere in the removal process. If they are long, for instance, you should trim them. We don’t want to cause acne scarring during the extractions.

While facing the mirror, place each of your index fingers on opposite sides of the blackhead. Applying gradual pressure at each end, you should begin to see the blackhead rising to the surface. Do not be tempted to use your nails while squeezing! If the blackhead does not seem to be budging, continue to apply greater amounts of pressure. When you seem to have emptied the area, clean the pus off your skin and apply a clean tissue to the pore. At this point, it may be slightly bleeding.

If you performed the extraction correctly, the site of the extraction should heal within a day or two. You can remove more blackheads with this method as needed. Just be sure not to exaggerate and do too many on the same day. Listen to your skin. Do not use pore strips as they will irritate your skin and eventually cause more breakouts. If you do not feel comfortable performing these extractions yourself, an esthetician may prove to be a wise investment.

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