You may have read conflicting advice on whether or not a blackhead remover tool is worth using. Some people vehemently discourage using blackhead removers, while others tout the brilliance of these devices. So what is the verdict?
One thing for sure, you never want to attempt to squeeze or remove blackheads with your fingernails. This is a definite way to ensure a nasty skin infection and scarring. But is using a blackhead removal tool any better? Let’s weigh the pros and cons:
The pros of using blackhead removers
- Far more sterile than the fingernails, since most extractor are made from stainless steel.
- Relatively inexpensive and readily available almost anywhere.
- Good variety: More than one type of blackhead removal tool depending on your personal needs and preferences
- They actually can remove blackheads quickly and easily.
- Minimizes the risk of infection.
- Great for blackhead removal when you’re in a pinch.
The cons of using a blackhead removers
- They may damage your skin and often leave scars
- Only treating the external symptoms of blackheads, not the underlying cause.
- Can be very painful to use.
- May cause temporary redness of the skin.
- Does not completely guarantee that you won’t get an infection.
- May give the appearance of enlarged pores.
Blackheads removers are worth using if you realize that the results are only a quick-fix and temporary. You also need to know how to prepare your skin prior to extraction. The key to blackhead removers is the quality of the instrument and the technique. If you try to extract a blackhead too hastily, or do so with an inferior tool, you run the risk of spreading bacteria, injuring skin cells and causing an infection.
If you are brave enough to use such a tool at home, make sure you read and adhere to the instructions carefully. Otherwise, it may be best to seek help from a professional dermatologist or aesthician. At the very least, you may ask a skin care professional to show you how to use a blackhead remover properly.
Read more information about blackhead removal tools.
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Pore strips are very useful tools for blackhead removal. However, if you’re a constant sufferer of blackheads, then these adhesives can be quite costly in the long run. Fortunately, you can make your own “pore strips” quickly, easily, and most importantly cheaply!
Making your strips will require two ingredients that you can easily obtain at your local grocery store. You need 1 1/2 Tablespoons of milk and one Tablespoon of unflavored gelatin (Knox brand is the most commonly used for this recipe). Mix the milk and gelatin together and warm in the microwave for ten seconds. Using a clean wedge or cotton ball/pad, apply the mixture to the blackhead affected areas, avoiding the eyes. Keep the concoction on your face for 10-15 minutes to completely dry. When the mixture is dry and hardened, it will form a film. Gently peel off the film, and voila, you’re blackheads are gone!
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It has been mentioned on this site before that using your fingers or fingernails to squeeze blackheads is not recommended. With that said, there are a number of blackhead removal tools on the market that are effective and more sterile. Here is a list of the various blackhead removers available.
- Tweezers
Using sterilized tweezers is one of the simplest and most effective tools for removing blackheads. Tweezers are good for unplugging the debris from the clogged pore. When using tweezers, make sure that use a pointed tip that is properly aligned with the blackhead. Be gentle and avoid squeezing the skin to prevent scars.
- Blackhead/Comedone Extractors
The most common tools used for removing blackheads are comedone extractors. Typically used by skin care professionals, comedone extractors are made of stainless steel, durable, and can be sterilized easily. Below are the four types of extractors available:
Extractor With Lancet:
This extractor has two ends that screws into a stainless steel bar: one end with a sharp lancet and the other with a looped extractor. This tool is especially useful if you have both whiteheads and blackheads; the lancet is designed to pierce a whitehead and the loop is designed to extract blackheads.
Double Fine Loop Extractor:
This tool is also good for extracting whiteheads and blackheads. This tool has two “fine” looped ends that is precise for extracting comedones with minimal damage to the surrounding pores. The fine loop extractor is typically the tool of choice among skin care professionals.
Double Spoon Comedone Extractor:
This extractor is especially useful for large blackheads, doesn’t cause skin damage, and is the most user friendly for beginners. With two spoon-shaped ends, the larger end tends to have 7-19 small holes to remove the larger blackheads. The smaller end is used for smaller blackheads.
8 in 1 Comedone Extractor Kit: 
This is a kit that includes various extraction tools. It comes with one bar and eight extractors including a single loop extractor, double loop extractor, fine loop extractor, and two lancets in varying sizes.
| Before using an extraction tool, make sure your face is thoroughly cleansed and steamed to open the pores. Always sterilize the tool before and after use with rubbing alcohol, wiping it with a cotton swab or pad. Follow up with cleansing, rinsing the face with cold water to close the pores. As a final step, use an alcohol free toner to further minimize the appearance of pores. |
- Blackhead Removal Vacuum
This is an electronic device designed to “suck” the gunk out of your pores. It works by creating a suction between a small cup and the face. These devices are the most expensive out of all of the tools and can be difficult to keep clean.
- Pore Strips
Pore strips are among the cheapest of the removal tools. They work by having an adhesive that is placed above the blackhead. When the strip is quickly removed, is pulls out the blackhead and the debris. Pore strips are only to be used on the nose, and the directions must be followed carefully to prevent skin irritation.
Blackhead removing tools are fairly cheap and more sterile than the fingers. However, improper use can lead to pain and infection. Always sterilize your tools (if applicable) and always be GENTLE. Remember to never try to force out a resistant blackhead. For best results, steam or use a warm towel to open your pores.
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Ahhhh…you know that refreshed feeling you get after getting a facial at a spa? Well you can have that everyday with a steam facial! I cannot stress enough how important it is to incorporate steam facials into your blackhead removal arsenal. Exposing your face to warm moisture helps open up your clogged pores, loosening debris and toxins buried deep in the skin. And it is absolutely essential to do if you squeeze your blackheads.
Steam not only helps to alleviate blackhead issues, but also has other skin benefits such as stimulating the skin’s blood circulation, opening of clogged sinus and nasal passages, hydrating and rejuvenating the outer layer of skin. And since facial steaming is a very inexpensive and relaxing treat, it’s just an all around win-win situation!
Now there are several ways you can steam. One of the easiest ways is by taking advantage of the steam from your daily shower. When you take your shower everyday, make sure all doors are securely shut to trap in the moisture. Then you can make the shower as hot as you can withstand. You can also fill up a bowl with hot water, draping a towel over your head as you place your face over the steam. If you’re pressed for time, you can also create a warm compress with a washcloth and hot water; just placed the compress over your face, and let those pores open up.
The best way to steam is by using a portable facial steamer. Investing in a facial steamer is a great investment for anyone who suffers from acne, and they’re not at all expensive. What sets facial steamers apart from the other methods is the different settings, which gives you the ability to control the amount of steam. This is especially great for those who feel like they are suffocating when breathing in steam. And, since they are portable, you can take your facial steamer with you wherever you go.
With a portable facial steamer, you can treat yourself to a spa blackhead treatment in the comfort of your own home!
You can also add essential oils to your steam for additional benefits. Essential oils are emollient and help soften, moisturize, and lubricate the skin. Some oils also have anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. For oily skin prone to blackheads, essential oils of fennel, rosemary, and lemon can be beneficial.
When you steam, do so for at least 5-10 minutes for maximum benefits. There are no adverse side effects from steaming, so you can do so as often as you like. However, you should steam no less than 3-4 times a week.
Well don’t just sit there… get to steaming! Your face will thank you for it!
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Have you ever looked in the mirror, found a blackhead staring right back at you, and had the immediate impulse to immediately squeeze the little bugger into oblivion? If so, you’re not the only one. Removing blackheads are so frustrating especially when no topical treatment or cleanser seems to be working. Naturally, we are immediately tempted to pick them out as soon as we notice it. However, experts say that squeezing or picking a blackhead is a huge no-no, and they’re better left alone. But what if you can’t resist? Is there ever a time that squeezing is OK?
If done incorrectly, applying pressure to blackheads can be very damaging to the skin. There is always a risk of inflammation, swelling, infection and rupturing blood vessels. This is why you should never remove a blackhead with your fingernails, as squeezing a blackhead with your fingernails can push the gunk clogging the pores even deeper, where it can develop into inflamed lesions. You also put yourself at risk for permanent scarring and enlarged pores.
On the other hand, if done correctly, gentle blackhead extraction can be beneficial to improving the appearance of your skin. Though, it’s important to use the proper tools such as comedone extractors, pore strips, or sterilized tweezers.
If you feel that it is absolutely necessary to squeeze a blackhead, steam your face for at least 5-10 minutes before doing so. The steam will open your pores and help dislodge the blackheads. A facial steamer is a great investment for any acne sufferer, but if you’re on a budget, you can always fill a large bowl with steaming hot water, place a towel over your head to form a tent, and comfortably place your face over the bowl. Alternatively, you can also place a warm washcloth over your face. After extracting the blackheads, gently cleanse the skin and apply toner to close the pores.
For best results, you should leave the squeezing to a dermatologist or professional aesthetician who is trained to extract blackheads without damage.
So, the next time you look in the mirror and feel the urge to attack those blackheads with your fingernails, reconsider. Proper tools and technique would be a much better choice for removing blackheads than your fingers.
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