Blackheads are skin-colored, small papules (skin bumps) commonly found on the forehead and chin of individuals suffering from acne. They are caused by a small plug of sloughed-off skin cells and sebum (oil on your skin) inside the opening of a pore in the skin. Blackheads appear more frequently on the face than any other part of the body. It can take several months to remove blackheads using conventional over-the-counter treatments. However, you can easily and effectively remove blackheads with an instrument used by professional beauticians and dermatologists called a blackhead extractor.
Step 1
Place the blackhead extractor in a clean bowl filled with isopropyl alcohol. Let it sit for one hour. Remove the blackhead extractor using clean hands, and wipe dry with a sterile cotton ball.
Step 2
Wash your face with antimicrobial soap and warm water for 10 minutes. This will moisten your skin and open the pores to prepare it for blackhead extraction. Wash your hands after washing your face. Use clean tissues to wipe your hands and face.
Step 3
Sit in front of a mirror and locate the blackheads. Gently push the hole of the blackhead extractor firmly over each blackhead you find. Pick the blackhead off with your clean fingers, and immediately dab the area with an alcohol pad or alcohol-soaked cotton ball to clean and disinfect your skin. Wipe the black head extractor with alcohol to clean it before popping another blackhead.
Step 4
Remove blackheads located in the sides of your nose, ear and chin areas by using the side of the extractor with the scooper. Gently scrape the blackheads of with firm and slow downward strokes.
Step 5
Wash your face with cold water after you have removed all the blackheads on your face. This will help close your skin pores.
Step 6
Apply an over-the-counter antimicrobial cream such as Bacitracin or triple antibiotic ointment to your skin after washing your face. Applying an antibiotic cream will help prevent infection.
Tips and Warnings
- You can purchase blackhead extractors at most beauty supply stores. You can purchase sterile cotton balls at the medical supply section of a large chain drug store.
Things You'll Need
- Blackhead extractor
- Isopropyl alcohol
- Sterile cotton balls
- Antimicrobial soap
- Antimicrobial ointment
References
- "How to Pop a Zit: The Aesthetician's Guide to Extractions;" Rupa Vickers; 2008
- "Clinical Dermatology;" Thomas P. Habif MD; 2003
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