{"id":5859,"date":"2025-01-03T03:11:46","date_gmt":"2025-01-03T03:11:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/momentsunfolded.com\/?p=5859"},"modified":"2025-01-03T03:11:51","modified_gmt":"2025-01-03T03:11:51","slug":"how-to-treat-and-prevent-deep-blackheads-professionally-or-at-home-3","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/momentsunfolded.com\/archives\/5859","title":{"rendered":"How to Treat and Prevent Deep Blackheads \u2014 Professionally or at Home"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class='\"mg-header\"'>\n<article class='\"page-content-single' small single>\n<div class='\"entry-content\"'>\n<div>\n<div class='\"css-m260rd\"'>\n<div class='\"css-blwnmv\"' data-article-body='\"0\"'>\n<div class='\"css-z468a2\"'>\n<h1>How to Treat and Prevent Deep Blackheads \u2014 Professionally or at Home\n<div>\n<article class='\"article-body' css-d2znx6 undefined>\n<div class='\"css-1avyp1d\"'>\n<div>\n<p>Plenty of people would count\u00a0blackheads\u00a0among the most common \u2014 and most stubborn \u2014 skin conditions. This\u00a0type of acne\u00a0develops when oil (sebum) and dead skin cells combine to form a plug that clogs your pores.\n</p><div class='\"code-block' code-block-2>\n<div data-type='\"_mgwidget\"' data-widget-id='\"1692882\"' data-uid='\"09ea5\"'>\n<div id='\"mgw1692882_09ea5\"'>\n<div>\n<div class='\"mgbox' card-media>\n<div class='\"mgline' teaser-21703114 type-w data-i='\"tny5mpuYUBYCi-Iy2CkGw9Q9C2_JJaOPVhbZqdFCDvTe6ePW5T2yLujbIPIVEj5MMl3W1fCMYA7pKzXbhg7WgVj14dh5e6AIvdan_MWsKNs*\"' data-observing-start='\"1735202557058\"' data-observing-time='\"1380\"' data-showed='\"1\"'>\n<div class='\"mgline-inner\"'>\n<div class='\"mgbottom_media\"'>\n<div class='\"mgmedia__metrics-value\"'>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div>\n<p>Sometimes, cleansing and exfoliating may be enough to loosen the plug and draw it out. But if the plug hardens, or it\u2019s too deep to access, you might not be able to remove the blackhead on your own.\n\n<figure id='\"attachment_2785\"' class='\"wp-caption' alignnone aria-describedby='\"caption-attachment-2785\"'><img loading='\"lazy\"' decoding='\"async\"' class='\"size-full' wp-image-2785 src="%5C%22https:%5C/%5C/factsnewsusa.com%5C/wp-content%5C/uploads%5C/2024%5C/12%5C/maxresdefault.jpg%5C%22" sizes='\"auto,' srcset='\"https:\/\/factsnewsusa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/maxresdefault.jpg' https: alt='\"20' ways to treat and prevent deep blackheads width='\"1280\"' height='\"720\"'><figcaption id='\"caption-attachment-2785\"' class='\"wp-caption-text\"'>20 Ways to Treat and Prevent Deep Blackheads\n<div>\n<p>Below, you\u2019ll find tips on how to use over-the-counter (OTC) products for blackheads, information on what to expect from professional removal, and more.\n\n\n</p><div class='\"css-1avyp1d\"'>\n<div>\n<div><a class='\"chartbeat-section\"' name="%5C%22cleanse%5C%22">For home removal, start by cleansing\n\n<div>\n<p>Your first step should always be to cleanse your face.\n\n</p><div>\n<p>There\u2019s a right way to wash your face \u2014 find out how here.\n\n</p><div>\n<p>Cleansing is best done\u00a0twice each day: once in the morning and once again at the end of your day. If you work out or get sweaty during the day, you may want to wash your face again afterward.\n\n</p><div>\n<p>That said, try to avoid over-cleansing. This can dry out your skin and cause more dead skin cells and sebum to accumulate in your pores.\n\n</p><div>\n<p>Tip: If you prefer to wash your face more frequently, try limiting cleansing to morning and evening washes and rinsing with plain water throughout the day to avoid drying out your face.\n\n</p><div>\n<p>The type of cleanser you use can also make a difference in blackhead removal and prevention.\n\n</p><div>\n<p>Many people prefer gel-based cleansers, which:\n\n</p><div>\n<ul>\n<li>aren\u2019t oily like some cream-based cleansers\n</li><li>are typically safe for both oily and sensitive skin\n\n\n<div>\n<p>A daily cleanser with micro-exfoliants can also help remove dead skin cells.\n\n\n</p><div class='\"css-1avyp1d\"'>\n<div>\n<div><a class='\"chartbeat-section\"' name="%5C%22exfoliate%5C%22">Use a physical exfoliant\n\n<div>\n<p>Exfoliation\u00a0helps remove dead skin cells, sebum, and other debris from the surface of your skin.\n\n</p><div>\n<p>When it comes to\u00a0physical exfoliants, you have plenty of options, but avoid choosing anything too harsh that will irritate your pores. Ground-up nuts and other harsh beads may irritate active breakouts or sensitive skin.\n\n</p><div>\n<p>Consider something simple, like a do-it-yourself (DIY)\u00a0natural option\u00a0or an over-the-counter (OTC) scrub with gentle ingredients, like oatmeal.\n\n</p><div>\n<p>You\u2019ll generally want to follow the instructions on the product you choose, but this is a good starting place for most exfoliants:\n\n</p><div>\n<ol>\n<li>Apply a thin layer of exfoliant.\n</li><li>Spread it evenly over your skin.\n</li><li>Massage \u2014 don\u2019t scrub \u2014 it into your skin.\n</li><li>You might need to leave it on your face for several minutes, but check the product package to be sure.\n</li><li>Once the process is done, rinse off the product completely.\n\n\n<div id='\"mb26f3592-7377-42fc-9523-cd766aa41697mpd_middle_4089a38f-e1bc-4ab1-9f36-58b584d84cfb\"' class='\"\"' data-testid='\"driver\"' data-placement='\"middle\"'>\n<div>\n<div>\n<div class='\"css-1cg0byz\"'>\n<aside class='\"css-0' css-0 data-testid='\"sticky-inline-ad\"' data-sticky='\"false\"'>\n<div>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div class='\"css-1avyp1d\"'>\n<div>\n<div><a class='\"chartbeat-section\"' name="%5C%22steam%5C%22">Open your pores with a steam session\n\n<div>\n<p>Steam can help loosen the gunk that\u2019s clogging your pores, setting you up for a more effective extraction process. You don\u2019t need a spa steamer to get these benefits, though.\n\n</p><div>\n<p>To\u00a0open your pores with steam\u00a0at home, try this technique:\n\n</p><div>\n<ol>\n<li>First, boil up to 6 cups of water in a pot or kettle.\n</li><li>Let the water cool for a minute or two.\n</li><li>Carefully pour the water into a bowl.\n</li><li>Sit in front of the bowl, resting your face about 6 inches above the water.\n</li><li>Drape a towel over your head and the water source to hold the steam in.\n</li><li>Raise or lower your head for more or less heat. Lift a corner of the towel to cool off, if needed.\n</li><li>Stay for up to 10 minutes at a time.\n\n\n\n<div class='\"css-1avyp1d\"'>\n<div>\n<div><a class='\"chartbeat-section\"' name="%5C%22mask%5C%22">Apply a clay or charcoal mask\n\n<div>\n<p>Exfoliation and steam help get your pores ready for extraction, but your skin\u2019s not quite ready yet.\u00a0Applying a mask\u00a0first can help make extraction even more successful.\n\n</p><div>\n<p>Use either a\u00a0clay\u00a0or\u00a0charcoal-based mask. These ingredients help deeply cleanse the pores, and you\u2019ll want to get as much dirt and oil out of your pores as you can before using an extractor tool.\n\n</p><div>\n<p>How to do it:\n\n</p><div>\n<ol>\n<li>Apply a thin, even layer of the clay or charcoal mask to your face.\n</li><li>Leave the mask on for about 15 minutes.\n</li><li>Rinse your face thoroughly with warm water.\n\n\n<div class='\"css-20w1gi\"'>\n<aside class='\"css-0' css-0 data-testid='\"sticky-inline-ad\"' data-sticky='\"false\"'>\n<div>\n\n\n\n<div class='\"css-1avyp1d\"'>\n<div>\n<div><a class='\"chartbeat-section\"' name="%5C%22extract%5C%22">Use an extractor tool\n\n<div>\n<p>After loosening your pores and applying a mask, you can try\u00a0extracting deep blackheads yourself.\n\n</p><div>\n<p>Here\u2019s how:\n\n</p><div>\n<ol>\n<li>Sterilize your extractor tool with rubbing alcohol.\n</li><li>Press the loop face down on the edge of the blackhead you\u2019re trying to remove. Just avoid pressing directly down in the middle of the blackhead, as this can irritate your pore.\n</li><li>Once you\u2019ve got the head of the tool in place, make a gentle sweeping motion to the other side of your pore.\n</li><li>Repeat up two more times if you don\u2019t get the plug out the first time \u2014 any more than this can irritate or damage the surrounding skin.\n\n\n<div>\n<p>Always sterilize your tool between uses to prevent the transfer of dirt and bacteria between pores.\n\n\n</p><div class='\"css-1avyp1d\"'>\n<div>\n<div><a class='\"chartbeat-section\"' name="%5C%22soothe%5C%22">Apply a cooling gel mask or soothing serum\n\n<div>\n<p>After extracting debris from your pores, it\u2019s important to soothe your skin to prevent inflammation. You can do this with a cooling gel mask or face serum.\n\n</p><div>\n<p>When choosing a mask or\u00a0serum, opt for anti-inflammatory ingredients such as green tea, vitamin E, and almond oil. Apply a small amount in an even layer.\n\n</p><div>\n<p>Learn more about the benefits of face serums.\n\n</p><div>\n<p>If you\u2019re using a gel mask, rinse after use and follow up with the rest of your\u00a0skin care routine.\n\n\n</p><div class='\"css-1avyp1d\"'>\n<div>\n<div><a class='\"chartbeat-section\"' name="%5C%22don-t-squeeze%5C%22">Whatever you do, don\u2019t squeeze or pinch\n\n<div>\n<p>Squeezing out a blackhead might feel tempting, especially if you can\u2019t safely extract it the first time around.\n\n</p><div>\n<p>But the advice you\u2019ve probably heard before is true: You really shouldn\u2019t pinch, poke, or squeeze out a blackhead, since this can potentially lead to:\n\n</p><div>\n<ul>\n<li>irritation\n</li><li>pores that appear larger\n</li><li>scarring\n\n\n<div>\n<div id='\"widget_call_out_b75ab914-fb2d-4ab1-bb39-3e74839a40af\"' class='\"css-s63mfe\"'>\n<div class='\"css-1r9bcg7\"'>\n<div class='\"css-xqvouu\"'>\n<h3 class='\"css-uf1jzf\"'>What about pore strips?\n<div class='\"css-19f8tkk\"'>\n<p class='\"standout--body\"'>Although\u00a0pore strips\u00a0are touted as a way to remove blackheads without picking, they often do more harm than good.\n</p><p class='\"standout--body\"'>These strips target surface debris, which often does little to resolve deep blackheads. They can also dry out and irritate your skin.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n</p><div class='\"css-1avyp1d\"'>\n<div>\n<div><a class='\"chartbeat-section\"' name="%5C%22home-remedies%5C%22">Do home remedies work?\n\n<div>\n<p>Although a quick internet search might reveal dozens of \u201chome remedies\u201d for blackhead removal, none have been proven to work.\n\n</p><div>\n<p>In fact, some of these purported remedies might even make your acne worse.\n\n</p><div>\n<p>If you do decide to try a home remedy, exercise extreme caution. Performing a patch test by applying the substance on your forearm first and waiting overnight can help you gauge how your skin will react.\n\n</p><div>\n<h3>Home remedies that can be harmful\n\n<div>\n<p>Certain everyday ingredients recommended as blackhead \u201cremedies\u201d can do more harm than good.\n\n</p><div>\n<p>These include:\n\n</p><div>\n<ul>\n<li>apple cider vinegar\n</li><li>baking soda\n</li><li>Epsom salts\n</li><li>lemon\n</li><li>toothpaste\n\n\n<div>\n<p>Many people believe these ingredients help absorb oil and get rid of dead skin cells. The problem is, they may be too drying, so using them can lead to irritation, swelling, and more breakouts.\n\n</p><div>\n<h3>Home remedies that might not be effective\n\n<div>\n<p>Some purported remedies aren\u2019t necessarily harmful \u2014 they just might not always work.\n\n</p><div>\n<p>These include:\n\n</p><div>\n<ul>\n<li>egg whites\n</li><li>green tea\n</li><li>honey\n</li><li>yogurt\n\n\n<div>\n<p>You\u2019ll often find these ingredients in recipes for homemade masks because of their antioxidant and hydrating properties \u2014 but these benefits won\u2019t do anything for deep blackheads.\n\n\n</p><div class='\"css-1avyp1d\"'>\n<div>\n<div><a class='\"chartbeat-section\"' name="%5C%22professional-removal%5C%22">What about options for professional removal?\n\n<div>\n<p>Unless you\u2019re experiencing severe pain or swelling, professional removal usually isn\u2019t necessary.\n\n</p><div>\n<p>If you\u2019re not getting the results you want at home, consider\u00a0making an appointment with a dermatologist\u00a0or aesthetician to talk about your concerns.\n\n</p><div>\n<p>They may recommend one of the following removal techniques:\n\n</p><div>\n<h3>Professional extraction\n\n<div>\n<p>After making a small hole in the clogged pore, your dermatologist or aesthetician will remove the plug with a looped-end metal extractor tool.\n\n</p><div>\n<h3>Microdermabrasion\n\n<div>\n<p>Microdermabrasion\u00a0offers deeper exfoliation than OTC options, like scrubs.\n\n</p><div>\n<p>A dermatologist or aesthetician will use a crystal-emitting handpiece to gently spray fine crystals onto the skin. The device will rub and suction off the outer layers of dead skin. They may also use a diamond-tip handpiece to exfoliate more sensitive areas, such as around your eyes.\n\n</p><div>\n<p>This technique may also help reduce the appearance of enlarged pores.\n\n</p><div>\n<h3>Chemical peels\n\n<div>\n<p>A professional\u00a0chemical peel\u00a0removes the entire top layer of skin, reducing blackheads and other debris.\n\n</p><div>\n<p>Just keep in mind that your skin may be more prone to sunburn during the recovery process. When spending time outdoors, you\u2019ll want to take extra caution to protect your skin from the sun \u2014\u00a0sunscreen\u00a0is essential, but a hat can\u2019t hurt, either.\n\n</p><div>\n<h3>Laser therapy\n\n<div>\n<p>Laser therapy\u00a0is sometimes used on breakouts that don\u2019t respond to other treatments.\n\n</p><div>\n<p>For deep blackheads, dermatologists use photopneumatic therapy. The process involves a combination of\u00a0intense pulsed light lasers\u00a0and a hand-held vacuum.\n\n</p><div>\n<p>Using these together allows your dermatologist to get deep into your pores to remove dead skin cells and excess sebum.\n\n</p><div>\n<p>For best results, the\u00a0American Academy of Dermatology\u00a0recommends one or two follow-up sessions per year.\n\n\n</p><div class='\"css-1avyp1d\"'>\n<div>\n<div><a class='\"chartbeat-section\"' name="%5C%22prevention-tips%5C%22">Tips for prevention\n\n<div>\n<p>Deep blackheads can take time to remove safely and effectively. Once you\u2019ve got the gunk out, the strategies below can help prevent them from coming back.\n\n</p><div>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Use noncomedogenic products.\u00a0Noncomedogenic\u00a0is code for \u201cnon-pore-clogging.\u201d Also look for oil-free sunscreens and lotions to help prevent clogged pores.\n<li><strong>Remove makeup before bed.\u00a0Cleansing at night helps remove makeup, but sometimes residue is still left behind. Consider adding a pre-cleanser to remove all your makeup.\n<li><strong>Wash your hair regularly.\u00a0Not only will your locks stay healthy and soft, but you\u2019ll also get rid of oils and dirt that can get on your face and clog your pores.\n<li><strong>Be sure your hands and nails are clean.\u00a0Keeping your nails clean can help minimize dirt and oil transfer.\n<li><strong>Wash your pillow cases and bedding.\u00a0Aim to wash these once a week to get rid of any dirt and oil on your sheets.\n<li><strong>Add salicylic acid to your skin care routine.\u00a0Salicylic acid\u00a0dries out dead skin cells that accumulate in your pores, thereby decreasing the chances of blackheads. Try a face wash, toner, or moisturizer that contains salicylic acid to get these benefits.\n<li><strong>Consider glycolic acid.\u00a0Regular use can help your skin shed dead skin cells, preventing clogged pores. You can find\u00a0glycolic acid\u00a0in moisturizers and OTC peels.\n<li><strong>Ask a dermatologist about prescription retinoids.\u00a0Retinoids\u00a0are derivatives of vitamin A. While primarily recommended for\u00a0inflammatory acne, they may also help control excess oils that contribute to blackheads.\n<li><strong>Avoid overusing acne products.\u00a0Combining several products that contain salicylic acid, sulfur, benzoyl peroxide, and other acne-treating ingredients can dry out your skin. Ironically, this can cause more blackheads, because overly dry pores may end up producing more sebum to help hydrate your skin.\n<li><strong>Eat a balanced diet.\u00a0Certain foods and nutrients\u00a0\u2014 including dark green and yellow vegetables and fruits, omega-3 fatty acids, and whole grains \u2014 can promote overall skin health. Drinking\u00a0plenty of water\u00a0can also help balance out sebum and aid in skin cell turnover.\n\n\n\n<div class='\"css-1avyp1d\"'>\n<div>\n<div><a class='\"chartbeat-section\"' name="%5C%22takeaway%5C%22">The bottom line\n\n<div>\n<p>Getting rid of blackheads\u00a0often proves something of a challenge, but it\u2019s definitely possible \u2014 one or more of the home removal techniques mentioned above could make a difference.\n\n</p><div>\n<p>That said, if you don\u2019t see improvement within 6 weeks, consider making an appointment with a dermatologist or aesthetician to learn more about your options for professional treatment.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"</p><p>How to Treat and Prevent Deep Blackheads \u2014 Professionally or at Home Plenty of people would count\u00a0blackheads\u00a0among the most common \u2014 and most stubborn \u2014 skin conditions. This\u00a0type of acne\u00a0develops when oil (sebum) and dead skin cells combine to form a plug that clogs your pores. Sometimes, cleansing and exfoliating may be enough to loosen [&hellip;]\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":5860,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5859","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/momentsunfolded.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5859","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/momentsunfolded.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/momentsunfolded.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/momentsunfolded.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/momentsunfolded.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5859"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/momentsunfolded.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5859\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5861,"href":"https:\/\/momentsunfolded.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5859\/revisions\/5861"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/momentsunfolded.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5860"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/momentsunfolded.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5859"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/momentsunfolded.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5859"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/momentsunfolded.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5859"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}</p></div></div></a></div></div></div></strong></li></strong></li></strong></li></strong></li></strong></li></strong></li></strong></li></strong></li></strong></li></strong></li></ul></div></div></a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></h3></div></div></div></h3></div></div></div></div></h3></div></div></h3></div></div></div></div></a></div></div></div></div></li></ul></div></div></div></h3></div></div></li></ul></div></div></div></h3></div></div></div></div></a></div></div></div></div></h3></div></div></div></div></li></ul></div></div></div></a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></a></div></div></div></div></li></ol></div></div></div></a></div></div></div></div></aside></div></li></ol></div></div></div></div></a></div></div></div></li></ol></div></div></div></a></div></div></div></div></aside></div></div></div></div></li></ol></div></div></div></div></div></a></div></div></div></div></li></ul></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></a></div></div></div></div></figcaption></figure></p></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></article></div></h1></div></div></div></div></div></article></div>