Before learning how to get rid of blackheads on your own, you must make double sure that your face is pimple free, in other words, proceed only if there are no signs of infection like redness, inflammation, and soreness in surrounding tissues. This is important, otherwise your actions can easily make matter worse.
Knowing how to get rid of blackheads involves persistence, that’s the only way to keep acne demoralized, you have to attack the beast consistently employing one or more methods for extracting the hardened oil and dead cells that plug pores and form the hated blackheads, along with curtailing the things that might be causing the blackheads to appear in the first place.
One thing to always keep in mind is the fact that the skin on the face is thinner than in any other part of the body, so anything you do to it requires tender loving care or risk infection and scarring.
Do not use your fingers or fingernails to squeeze stuff out of pores, as you risk spreading “bad news” bacteria around a wide area, pushing material deeper into the skin where it can become infected, or tear delicate tissues leaving a permanent scars as a result.
As a matter of fact, the number one rule to prevent the spreading of acne is to keep hands and hairs away from your face. Only the use of a tool specially designed to extract plugs out of pores gives you like the AK-47 against those unsightly black or white (heads).
Steam
The first step to facilitate the removal of that YUK stuff inside blackheads is to steam your face for several minutes. A facial steam widens the pores, and softens and loosens the sebum inside, however steam on your skin is not recommended if you are suffering from sunburn, rosacea, or have sensitive skin.
A facial steam can be done using a facial steamer, a hot towel or cloth, or a bowl of boiling water, but be always careful not to scald yourself in the process. A hot shower is another good option.
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Using a towel/cloth |
Fill a large bowl with 4 cups of hot water (close to boiling) and add 2 drops of pure Tea Tree, Lavender, or Chamomile to it. These essential oils are anti-bacterial & anti-inflammatory. Soak the towel in the mixture, rinse out the excess water and place it on one area of the face for about 2 minutes. Repeat the process until every area is heated. Pat your face dry. |
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Using a wide bowl |
If you have oily skin, you should have a steam facial done every 5 days, if you have normal or combination skin, do it every 7 days, but if you have dry skin, twice a month is enough.
Again, steam facials are not recommended for people with sensitive skin, but your acne is moderate instead of mild, try having a facial done once a month to deep clean those pores. |
Comedone remover
The comedone remover is actually a small metal instrument with a ring on one or both ends that when centered on a pore it presses down on the surrounding area. You should be able to extrude a plug by placing the hole over the blackhead and gently pushing down while applying even pressure on all sides.
Caution: only attempt this twice. If it does not “pop”, just leave it alone, because if you keep trying you may move material further into the skin where it can get infected and turn into a big round pimple.
The best time to use the remover is right after a facial steam. You must wash the affected area with a mild cleanser or warm water after you are done extracting. It is also important to always clean the remover tool with alcohol before and after each use.
Pore Strips
Pore strips are specially made to remove a bunch of blackheads on nose, cheeks, forehead, and chin. Unfortunately, they not always remove the entire plug, sometimes only the top part gets extracted.
The strips are coated with glue on one side which binds to oil and dead cells. There are a few brands of pore strips, and their effectiveness varies, but Biore is by far the most popular brand.
It’s always a good idea to do a facial steam before applying the strips for maximum benefits and comfort.
Caution: do not use the strips more than once a week or they can cause irritation. Once a month for sensitive skin. Cleanse the treated area with a mild antiseptic or warm water after you are done, and apply a good amount of moisturizer right after.
Facial Masks
Facial or peel-off masks act very much like pore strips, but they are made of a thick gel containing some natural ingredients like tea tree oil that you warm up and apply onto the affected areas of your face.
You then wait for 1 hour or so before peeling it off and witnessing a nice forest of blackheads on the mask. Just like pore strips, do not use facial masks more than once a week, and always finish the process by first cleansing the part of the face in contact with the mask, and then by applying water-based moisturizer generously.
Attacking the beast internally.
A proper diet, along with specific nutritional supplements taken regularly, are as important as any other part of a complete skin care regimen dedicated to get rid of blackheads. For a very detailed description on ways to defeat acne from the inside out, refer to the ACNE TREATMENT AND PREVENTION section.
