Blackheads, medically referred to as open comedones, are one of the most common symptoms of acne. Caused by an excess accumulation of oils and bacteria in the sebaceous gland's duct, they are a common annoyance for many individuals. Fortunately, the removal of blackheads is fairly easy, and preventing them is merely a matter of keeping the face clean. This will result in the appearance of smaller pores.
Preventing Blackheads and Shrinking Pores
Step 1
Wash your face with a natural, fragrance free soap. Wet the face and lather with a gentle, circular motion, paying special attention to the T-zone, which includes the forehead and bridge of the nose.
Step 2
Rinse the soap off your face and pat it dry with a towel.
Step 3
Exfoliate the skin. You can do this with a simple homemade mixture of baking soda and water, or you can buy natural herbal exfoliants at any drug store. Apply the exfoliant in the same way you applied the soap, with a gentle circular motion and special attention payed to the T-zone.
Removing Blackheads
Step 1
Steam your skin for at least several minutes. This is can be done by holding you head over a bowl of hot water and holding a towel over your head to keep in the steam, says Medical News Today.
Step 2
Dry your face by patting it with a dry towel.
Step 3
Sterilize the comedone extractor. Using an unsterile instrument or attempting to remove a blackhead in an unsterile environment can lead to infection, according to an article on Medical News Today.
Step 4
Place the loop of the comedone extractor around the blackhead and press down gently. This will cause the blackhead to pop.
Step 5
Wash the face with natural soap and water.
Tips and Warnings
- Be sure to clean and exfoliate the face every day to ensure adequate blackhead prevention. It is best to follow all of your careful-cleaning steps every morning and evening.
- Only attempt to remove a blackhead once or twice.Trying to remove a stubborn blackhead can bruise the skin or cause damage that will lead to scaring. Do not attempt to remove a blackhead yourself if it is infected or inflamed. In this case, consult a dermatologist.
Things You'll Need
- Soap
- Baking soda
- Exfoliant
- Hot water
- Towel
- Washcloth
- Comedone extractor
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