Now that summer has here, there will be lots of lovely sunshine, perspiration, and clogged pores. You already know how difficult it is to get rid of blackheads if you deal with them frequently. The good news is that useful devices called blackhead extractors are incredibly effective at bringing these annoying lesions to the surface. The bad news is that misusing them could have the opposite effect. We asked Morgan Rackley, an esthetician and the proprietor of Luminous Skin Atlanta, for her top tips on how to use these equipment securely at home, which you can find below.
Describe blackheads.
Blackheads, also known as open comedones, are a form of acne but are not technically pimples. According to Rackley, “blackheads look flat and dark, hence their name, rather than white/yellow fluid-filled lumps. Blackheads are fairly common and happen when your skin’s follicles become clogged as a result of too much oil and irritation.
A blackhead remover is what?
A stainless steel tool called a comedone or blackhead extractor is used to get rid of the oil and impurities that result in blackheads and whiteheads. According to Rackley, “it works by gently forcing the clogged sebum out of the pore.” There are several different types of comedone extractors: conventional stainless steel ones with two “loops” on either end, tweezers-like extractors, and more contemporary “pore vacuums” that use suction to remove debris from your face.
Is it safe to use blackhead extractors?
When used properly, a comedone extractor is safe to use, according to Rackley. If using a comedone extractor at home, Rackley advises just utilizing the rounded side. Some come with a sharp side to open the blackhead or whitehead, but unless you’re an expert, using this side puts you at danger of cutting too deeply and injuring yourself.
“Another crucial point to keep in mind is to stop immediately if you see blood—you got it all out! You could think there’s still something you can squeeze out, but I assure you there isn’t and you run the danger of more harm and/or bruising.” Also keep in mind that it is advisable to consult a professional for very difficult breakouts as they are best equipped to avoid harm and accidents from comedone extractors.
How to Utilize a Blackhead Remover
Rackley advises warming the breakout with a compress so that you won’t have to press too hard. This will facilitate an easier extraction by softening the skin and opening the pores, she claims. Alcohol should also be used to clean the comedone extractor.
Choose the wire loop you want to use next. Make sure your skin and the tool are both clean, position the tool around the blackhead, and gently press to release the sebum and dead skin clogging your pore. The smaller the loop, the better since it will concentrate the pressure on the affected area. If nothing emerges from the breakout right away, stop pressing and let it some time to rest before attempting again. Once you’re finished, you can give your face a quick cleanse.
