Should I Be Popping Blackheads? Safer Ways to Clear Them
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Blackheads and the acne it can cause are an unfortunate reality that many of us face.
In my teenage years I also dealt with the blow to my confidence that blackheads and forehead acne caused me.
You too may have spent hours and hours researching the various ways to reduce acne, wishing that in the morning you’d wake up with clear and blemish free skin.
Fortunately, if you're shopping for remedies that work and are fairly cost effective, you're in the right place.
Blackhead extractors, facial brushes and steamers are popular options, but they work best alongside proven acne treatments for your acne free skin goals.
What is a blackhead?
A blackhead is a pore that has been partially blocked by oil, bacteria and dead skin cells.
The dark color isn't dirt, so scrubbing harder won't help.
Should I pop blackheads?
As tempting as it can be to pop blackheads, it's really not a good idea. The bacteria on your fingers can easily get into your pores and turn what was just a blackhead into a nasty spot.
You may also break the walls of the blackhead, meaning it spreads. It could even end up spreading the bacteria right across your face.
What's more, the skin around blackheads is usually too tight to pop them. This means you'll just inflame the area without actually achieving anything.
Making the problem worse when you're trying to make it go away isn't what you want!
The American Academy of Dermatology says popping can lead to infection, more noticeable acne and permanent scars. Dermatologists use sterile tools for extraction, which is why they recommend leaving it to them.
For most people, a better first step is an acne treatment. The AAD recommends adapalene, a retinoid sold without a prescription, and giving any treatment 6 to 8 weeks to work.
If you still want to try extraction at home, these are popular options. Clean your skin, disinfect the tool before and after each use, press gently, and stop if a blackhead doesn't come out easily.
Equinox International Blackhead and Blemish Remover Kit
Don’t resort to blackhead popping with your nails, which can cause further breakouts and irritation from bacteria. The Equinox International kit is a cleaner option than your fingernails.
This is one of the longest-selling extractor brands on Amazon. The tools are stainless steel, so they resist corrosion and last a while.
The kit includes 5 extractor tools and a carrying case.
Crystal Clear Blackhead and Pimple Extractor Kit
The Crystal Clear Kit is another great choice on the market. This kit provides 6 tools for removing blackheads.
It includes instructions on removing blackheads, which you should follow closely.
It also comes with a storage case.
BESTOPE Blackhead Extractor Kit
This stainless steel tool kit is designed for blackheads and whiteheads.
The company describes the tools as antibacterial, but you still need to disinfect them before and after each use.
The kit includes a sharp lancet. Piercing your own skin raises the risk of infection and scarring, so that tool is best left alone.
The anti-slip handles make control easier, and the kit comes with a tin carrying case.
Olay ProX Advanced Cleansing System Brush
A facial brush can help remove makeup and dead skin, but go gently: the AAD warns that scrubbing can irritate skin and make acne flare.
The Olay Facial Brush is an advanced cleaning system that delivers the ProX by Olay exfoliating renewal cleanser to remove dead skin that could be blocking your pores.
This facial brush delivers two speed options giving you the choice of a deeper cleanse or a gentle exfoliation.
This facial cleansing system comes with the cleansing brush, two AA batteries and the Exfoliating Renewal Cleanser.
Nanosteamer - 3-In-1 Nano Ionic Facial Steamer
A steamer is something that can really improve your skin care regimen. This facial steamer is a budget-friendly option.
Many people like how steam softens the skin before cleansing, and it comes with its own 5-piece blackhead extractor kit.
The company says it runs quietly for 30 to 40 minutes.
The attractively designed steamer features a humidifier and towel-warming compartment. The Nanosteamer actually looks like something that should be in a high-class spa.
Wrapping It Up
Combining an extractor with a facial brush and steamer can give you some of the best results for achieving the blackhead and acne free skin you deserve.
These tools can help with the occasional blackhead, but they don't treat acne.
Whichever methods you choose, don’t let acne control and influence your life and the decisions you make.
If over-the-counter treatments haven't helped after 6 to 8 weeks, or you have deep, painful breakouts, see a board-certified dermatologist.
Sources
- Pimple popping: Why only a dermatologist should do it, American Academy of Dermatology
- How to treat different types of acne, American Academy of Dermatology
- 10 skin care habits that can worsen acne, American Academy of Dermatology
