Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCausesTreatmentShould You Squeeze Blackheads?Treatments to AvoidPreventionWhen to See a Dermatologist
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Causes
Treatment
Should You Squeeze Blackheads?
Treatments to Avoid
Prevention
When to See a Dermatologist
Blackheads, also called opencomedones, are a type of acne. They are flat and—unlike pimples—are not swollen or painful. They usually appear on the face, especially the nose, and are often so small you can’t see them. Blocked pores cause blackheads.
Because they are so small and flush with the skin, they can sometimes be difficult to see or eliminate. But many remedies can prevent and treat blackheads, including exfoliation (removal of dead skin cells) and topical (used on the skin) over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription treatments.
This article explains blackhead causes, treatment, and prevention. It also covers which treatments to avoid and when to see a healthcare provider.
Getty Images / ThamKC
What Causes Blackheads on Your Nose?
Poresare tiny openings in your skin where oil and sweat escape from their glands beneath the surface. Clogged pores lead to blackheads, but what causes your pores to get clogged?
When pores function optimally, they allow oil or sweat to reach the surface to lubricate or cool your skin. Sometimes, these pores can become clogged with oil and dead skin cells.
Things that can lead to clogged pores include:
Hormonal fluctuations can cause your glands to produce excess oil, which makes your pores more likely to get clogged. In addition, not washing your face regularly or not exfoliating can allow dead skin cells, oil, and bacteria to build up on your skin and in your pores. Finally, if a parent was prone to blackheads, you may be too.
How to Get Rid of Blackheads on Your Nose
Fortunately, there are plenty of remedies for blackheads on your nose, including at-home remedies, OTC therapies, and prescription medications.
Home Remedies
Proven scientific evidence has generally not supported the effectiveness of home remedies. Even so, some people like to try them first because they are convenient and inexpensive. Some popular home remedies for blackheads include:
Some use green tea topically as a home remedy for acne, including blackheads. However, like with most home remedies, there isn’t much evidence to support its use for treating blackheads.
That said, a 2022 systematic review of clinical studies suggests that green tea’santioxidant, anti-inflammatory,chemopreventive(lowers cancer risk), andimmunomodulatory(changes the immune system) properties may be good for skin conditions.
Charcoal masks harden after application, and then you peel them off. They are a popular blackhead home remedy because they peel away dead skin cells and can sometimes unclog pores. A 2019 study found that charcoal masks worked to enlarge pores, remove dead skin cells, and clean the skin.
Steaming your skin is a way to open up pores to remove blackheads. You can purchase a steamer for this purpose, but you can also do it without a gadget. You can steam over a bowl of hot water or use warm, wet towels on your face. Just be careful not to burn yourself with any of these methods.
Exfoliation is a process for removing dead skin cells. You can use abrasive scrubs or a rough cleansing pad to do the job. However, if you are getting treated for acne, discuss it with your healthcare provider to ensure your methods are appropriate.
Natural Remedies for Back Acne
Over-the-Counter (OTC) Treatments
You can find plenty of products for mild acne, including blackheads, at a drug store or online. These products usually contain one of the following active ingredients:
What About Pore Strips?Pore stripsare adhesives that you press onto your skin to remove blackheads. They can cause irritation and redness, especially for sensitive skin. But a significant reason to avoid them is they can only pull out the very top of a blackhead at most, leaving the rest buried deep in your pore. For that reason, the preceding OTC treatments are more effective.
What About Pore Strips?
Pore stripsare adhesives that you press onto your skin to remove blackheads. They can cause irritation and redness, especially for sensitive skin. But a significant reason to avoid them is they can only pull out the very top of a blackhead at most, leaving the rest buried deep in your pore. For that reason, the preceding OTC treatments are more effective.
Professional Treatments
A dermatologist may recommend stronger treatments if at-home remedies and OTC products do not clear your blackheads. Professional treatments for blackheads include:
More potent prescription topicals often work, but blackhead extraction or microdermabrasion may help if they don’t. The latter uses a wand to sand your skin, removing its thicker outer layer. Microdermabrasion has many aesthetic benefits, including treating acne and acne scars.
Should You Squeeze Blackheads on Your Nose?
Squeezing acne, including a blackhead, is a bad idea. If you try it on your own, you run the risk of the following:
Is Popping Pimples Bad for Your Skin?
Blackhead Treatments to Avoid
The American Academy of Dermatology Association recommends avoiding the following when treating acne:
Remember, treatments for blackheads take time to work. So, stick to a treatment for the recommended length of time (usually six to eight weeks) before switching to something different.
How to Prevent Blackheads on Nose
Preventing blackheads involves keeping the skin clean and reducing the likelihood of clogged pores. Some tips for avoiding blackheads on the nose include:
The best thing you can do to prevent blackheads is to maintain a consistent skin care regimen that keeps your skin clean and moisturized.
When your at-home remedies and OTC treatments are ineffective,it’s time to see a dermatologist. They may prescribe more potent medication or offer extraction or professional exfoliation in their office. Never attempt these procedures at home because they can result in scarring, infection, and pain.
Summary
7 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Acne: who gets and causes.Di Sotto A, Gullì M, Percaccio E, et al.Efficacy and safety of oral green tea preparations in skin ailments: a systematic review of clinical studies.Nutrients. 2022;14(15):3149. doi:10.3390/nu14153149American Academy of Dermatology Association.How to safely exfoliate at home.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Adult acne treatment dermatologists recommend.American Society of Plastic Surgeons.What is microdermabrasion?American Academy of Dermatology Association.Pimple popping: why only a dermatologist should do it.American Academy of Dermatology Association.10 skincare habits that can worsen acne.
7 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Acne: who gets and causes.Di Sotto A, Gullì M, Percaccio E, et al.Efficacy and safety of oral green tea preparations in skin ailments: a systematic review of clinical studies.Nutrients. 2022;14(15):3149. doi:10.3390/nu14153149American Academy of Dermatology Association.How to safely exfoliate at home.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Adult acne treatment dermatologists recommend.American Society of Plastic Surgeons.What is microdermabrasion?American Academy of Dermatology Association.Pimple popping: why only a dermatologist should do it.American Academy of Dermatology Association.10 skincare habits that can worsen acne.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Acne: who gets and causes.Di Sotto A, Gullì M, Percaccio E, et al.Efficacy and safety of oral green tea preparations in skin ailments: a systematic review of clinical studies.Nutrients. 2022;14(15):3149. doi:10.3390/nu14153149American Academy of Dermatology Association.How to safely exfoliate at home.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Adult acne treatment dermatologists recommend.American Society of Plastic Surgeons.What is microdermabrasion?American Academy of Dermatology Association.Pimple popping: why only a dermatologist should do it.American Academy of Dermatology Association.10 skincare habits that can worsen acne.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Acne: who gets and causes.
Di Sotto A, Gullì M, Percaccio E, et al.Efficacy and safety of oral green tea preparations in skin ailments: a systematic review of clinical studies.Nutrients. 2022;14(15):3149. doi:10.3390/nu14153149
American Academy of Dermatology Association.How to safely exfoliate at home.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Adult acne treatment dermatologists recommend.
American Society of Plastic Surgeons.What is microdermabrasion?
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Pimple popping: why only a dermatologist should do it.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.10 skincare habits that can worsen acne.
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