Blackheads occur when pores are partially blocked. Because they are so dark and unsightly, most individuals want to get rid of them as soon as possible. Just reaching up to squeeze and pop your blackheads can lead to scarring, worse acne or even infection. If you must squeeze a blackhead, make sure you do so carefully so as not to tear skin or transfer germs. And always make sure to keep skin well cleansed to avoid blackheads in the future.
Step 1
Wait to squeeze the blackhead until it begins to bulge from the pore. This is when it will be most likely to draw out from the skin. If you try and remove a blackhead while deep within the skin, you're likely to squeeze too hard and cause scarring.
Step 2
Wash your face with very warm water and a cleanser. The cleanser will remove dirt and oil, making it easier to see the blackhead to treat it, and the warm water will open pores so that the blackhead is easier to draw out through minimal squeezing. Use an antibacterial soap on your hands as well.
Step 3
Get out a pair of tweezers. Sterilize the tweezers in boiling water. You can use blunt-ended tweezers to squeeze the blackhead by applying pressure to either side of the blackhead. Apply steady pressure, and stop if at any time it hurts you or you begin to bleed as this could cause scarring.
Step 4
Cover your pointer fingers with facial tissue if you don't have a set of tweezers handy, says CareFair.com. Place a finger on either side of the blackhead and squeeze inward to force the blackhead out of the pore. It should come out easily. If you begin to feeling pinching or pain, stop; the blackhead may be too deep in the pore, and you could cause permanent scarring if you tear the skin with your fingers.
Step 5
Wash your face well after extracting the blackhead. Immediately use a benzoyl peroxide treatment cream over the blackhead to reduce inflammation and to stop future blackhead breakouts.
Tips and Warnings
- Make sure to incorporate a daily cleansing routine to rid skin of excess oil and dirt that can block pores and cause blackheads.
Things You'll Need
- Cleanser
- Antibacterial soap
- Tweezers
- Facial tissue
- Benzoyl Peroxide cream
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