Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsProfessional ExtractionAt-Home ExtractionProducts Use for RemovalAfter ExtractionOther Blemishes
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Professional Extraction
At-Home Extraction
Products Use for Removal
After Extraction
Other Blemishes
To extract blackheads, you need to properly squeeze the skin with your fingers or use a tool to remove material that’s clogging a pore.
Doing this can clean out the skin, but there is also the risk that you could damage your skin if you do not extract the blackhead correctly.
A professionalestheticiancan remove blemishes, including blackheads, during a facial treatment, or you can do it yourself at home. Be sure to also follow proper steps for aftercare.
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Professional Blackhead Extraction
Extractions of blackheads and non-inflamed blemishes, also calledcomedones, are often part of a facial.
The blackhead removal process generally follows these steps:
After your treatment, you’ll see an immediate change in your skin. You will no longer have blackheads, and your skin will look smoother, especially if the blackheads were large and obvious.
Should I Have Blackheads Removed?In most cases, yes, you should remove blackheads before they become worse and are harder to remove.In some cases, they can turn into deep blackheads, which are more likely to leave scars.
Should I Have Blackheads Removed?
In most cases, yes, you should remove blackheads before they become worse and are harder to remove.In some cases, they can turn into deep blackheads, which are more likely to leave scars.
In most cases, yes, you should remove blackheads before they become worse and are harder to remove.
In some cases, they can turn into deep blackheads, which are more likely to leave scars.
Done regularly, extractions can also help reduce breakouts. That’s because removing small pore blockages prevents them from turning into larger, inflamed pimples.
How to Extract Blackheads at Home
With care, you can safely extract blackheads at home.
This is easiest just after a shower when your skin is warm and the gunk inside the pores is softer. You can also prep your skin with a face steamer if you prefer.
You will need to follow the same steps that a professional would. But when extracting your own blackheads, you may be tempted to go a bit further than is safe or skip some steps.
To remove blackheads safely, be sure that you always:
Never squeeze or try to “pop” a red, inflamed pimple. This can causescarring.
Your skin may be slightly red for a very short time after removing blackheads. This is just because of the pressure put on the skin during the extraction. You’re more likely to see this if your skin is sensitive.
Products to Use for Blackhead Removal
Many products are available to help you remove blackheads.
They include:
A dermatologist or esthetician can help you choose what works best for your skin type.
Be sure to follow product instructions, since using something too often or too forcefully could end up doing more harm than good.
Prescription retinoid creams can prevent blackheads from forming in the first place.
What to Do After Blackhead Removal
Once the blackhead has been removed, you need to apply an anti-inflammatory and use something that will get rid of bacteria on the skin.
Witch hazel, a common home remedy, works well as a toner with anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties.
Can I Extract Other Blemishes?
Only non-inflamed blemishes can be extracted with this procedure. This includes:
Extractions work for blackheads and blemishes anywhere on the skin, including:
Miliatypically can’t be removed during a facial. These are small cysts that look like tiny whiteheads. They form when a protein called keratin gets trapped under the skin.
Summary
An esthetician can remove your blackheads during a facial treatment. This is a safe procedure that can help your skin look smoother and prevent breakouts.
You can extract blackheads at home as long as you use gentle pressure and avoid squeezing the skin with your fingernails.
9 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.National Institutes of Health, U.S. National Library of Medicine: InformedHealth.Skin care for acne-prone skin.American Academy of Dermatologists.How To Treat Different Types of Acne.Fox L, Csongradi C, Aucamp M, du Plessis J, Gerber M.Treatment Modalities for Acne.Molecules. 2016;21(8):1063. Published 2016 Aug 13. doi:10.3390/molecules21081063Kim JY.Disposable syringe punching: An aseptic alternative to a comedo extractor.Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. 2020;83(3):e175-e176. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2019.11.062National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Acne.Filaire E, Vialleix C, Cadoret J-P, Guénard S, Muller C, Dreux-Zigha A, Berthon J-Y.Characterization of Reactive and Sensitive Skin Microbiota: Effect ofHalymenia durvillei (HD)Extract Treatment.Cosmetics. 2019; 6(4):69. doi:10.3390/cosmetics6040069Leyden J, Stein-Gold L, Weiss J.Why Topical Retinoids Are Mainstay of Therapy for Acne.Dermatol Ther (Heidelb). 2017;7(3):293-304. doi:10.1007/s13555-017-0185-2U.S. Department of Agriculture.Witch Hazel, Not Just for Grandma Anymore!Ohio Administrative Code.CRule 4713-8-03 | Standards relating to competent practice as a cosmetologist.
9 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.National Institutes of Health, U.S. National Library of Medicine: InformedHealth.Skin care for acne-prone skin.American Academy of Dermatologists.How To Treat Different Types of Acne.Fox L, Csongradi C, Aucamp M, du Plessis J, Gerber M.Treatment Modalities for Acne.Molecules. 2016;21(8):1063. Published 2016 Aug 13. doi:10.3390/molecules21081063Kim JY.Disposable syringe punching: An aseptic alternative to a comedo extractor.Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. 2020;83(3):e175-e176. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2019.11.062National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Acne.Filaire E, Vialleix C, Cadoret J-P, Guénard S, Muller C, Dreux-Zigha A, Berthon J-Y.Characterization of Reactive and Sensitive Skin Microbiota: Effect ofHalymenia durvillei (HD)Extract Treatment.Cosmetics. 2019; 6(4):69. doi:10.3390/cosmetics6040069Leyden J, Stein-Gold L, Weiss J.Why Topical Retinoids Are Mainstay of Therapy for Acne.Dermatol Ther (Heidelb). 2017;7(3):293-304. doi:10.1007/s13555-017-0185-2U.S. Department of Agriculture.Witch Hazel, Not Just for Grandma Anymore!Ohio Administrative Code.CRule 4713-8-03 | Standards relating to competent practice as a cosmetologist.
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.
National Institutes of Health, U.S. National Library of Medicine: InformedHealth.Skin care for acne-prone skin.American Academy of Dermatologists.How To Treat Different Types of Acne.Fox L, Csongradi C, Aucamp M, du Plessis J, Gerber M.Treatment Modalities for Acne.Molecules. 2016;21(8):1063. Published 2016 Aug 13. doi:10.3390/molecules21081063Kim JY.Disposable syringe punching: An aseptic alternative to a comedo extractor.Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. 2020;83(3):e175-e176. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2019.11.062National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Acne.Filaire E, Vialleix C, Cadoret J-P, Guénard S, Muller C, Dreux-Zigha A, Berthon J-Y.Characterization of Reactive and Sensitive Skin Microbiota: Effect ofHalymenia durvillei (HD)Extract Treatment.Cosmetics. 2019; 6(4):69. doi:10.3390/cosmetics6040069Leyden J, Stein-Gold L, Weiss J.Why Topical Retinoids Are Mainstay of Therapy for Acne.Dermatol Ther (Heidelb). 2017;7(3):293-304. doi:10.1007/s13555-017-0185-2U.S. Department of Agriculture.Witch Hazel, Not Just for Grandma Anymore!Ohio Administrative Code.CRule 4713-8-03 | Standards relating to competent practice as a cosmetologist.
National Institutes of Health, U.S. National Library of Medicine: InformedHealth.Skin care for acne-prone skin.
American Academy of Dermatologists.How To Treat Different Types of Acne.
Fox L, Csongradi C, Aucamp M, du Plessis J, Gerber M.Treatment Modalities for Acne.Molecules. 2016;21(8):1063. Published 2016 Aug 13. doi:10.3390/molecules21081063
Kim JY.Disposable syringe punching: An aseptic alternative to a comedo extractor.Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. 2020;83(3):e175-e176. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2019.11.062
National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Acne.
Filaire E, Vialleix C, Cadoret J-P, Guénard S, Muller C, Dreux-Zigha A, Berthon J-Y.Characterization of Reactive and Sensitive Skin Microbiota: Effect ofHalymenia durvillei (HD)Extract Treatment.Cosmetics. 2019; 6(4):69. doi:10.3390/cosmetics6040069
Leyden J, Stein-Gold L, Weiss J.Why Topical Retinoids Are Mainstay of Therapy for Acne.Dermatol Ther (Heidelb). 2017;7(3):293-304. doi:10.1007/s13555-017-0185-2
U.S. Department of Agriculture.Witch Hazel, Not Just for Grandma Anymore!
Ohio Administrative Code.CRule 4713-8-03 | Standards relating to competent practice as a cosmetologist.
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