Gentle Way to Remove Blackheads

Do not squeeze blackheads with bare fingers since this can cause bacterial contamination and skin irritation.

Blackheads result when oil accumulates in your skin pores. As the oil gets exposed to air, it turns black giving the appearance of a blackhead. The face is a common place where blackheads occur due to the large amount of oil glands. Blackheads typically result when your oil glands produce excess amount of oil due to hormonal changes. Other factors that influence the development of blackheads are improper hygiene, which leads to bacterial buildup and inadequate removal of dead skin cells; and using oily cosmetics and skin products. Avoid development of blackheads with regular washing and a gentle skin procedure that helps remove the oil buildup from your pores.

Things You'll Need

• Boiled water
• Glass bowl
• Towel
• Mild soap or face scrub
• Tissue paper
• Mild facial cream
• Acne cream

Instructions

1. The most common way is to gently squeeze them out, but you should follow a procedure to ensure greater effectiveness and less damage to the skin in the process.

2. Boil a few cups of water on the stove or in the microwave. Place the water in a glass bowl and place a towel on top.

3. Wash your face with mild soap and water or use a facial scrub to remove any dead skin that might be clogging the skin pores.

4. Pat dry your face gently.

5. Remove the towel on top of the bowl and place it around your head. Place your face on top of the bowl, allowing the hot steam to rise toward your face. Hold your face close to the bowl for a few seconds and remove if the steam is very hot. Do not keep your face on the steam since this can cause burns. A few seconds at a time is adequate until the steam cools down.

6. Repeat every few seconds for a total of five to 10 minutes. The steam will gently enlarge your skin pores and soften the blackheads, making their removal easier.

7. Gently pat dry your face with a towel.

8. Wrap two tissue papers around each finger and gently squeeze around the blackhead. Apply even pressure from both sides of the blackhead to force it out gently without damaging the skin. If the blackhead does not pop out easily, stop squeezing it; this can cause bruising and scarring. You can also us a blackhead remover or extractor sold in beauty stores.

9. Wash your face with warm water and apply a mild, oil-free cream on your face.

10. Wash your face the next morning with mild soap or cleanser and apply an acne cream to your face afterward. These creams help remove oil and reduce clogging of the pores. You may need to try a combination of creams before you find one that fits your skin type and gives the best results. Try creams with salicyclic acid, benzoyl peroxide, sulfur or a combination of each.

Tips & Warnings

• Wash your face and apply acne ointment twice a day. Only do the gently blackhead removal once a week.

References

• MayoClinic.com; Over-the-Counter Acne Products: What Works And Why; April 2010
• Medical News Today: What are Blackheads? How to Get Rid of Blackheads; May 2007