It is commonly believed that black and whiteheads are caused by dirt, sweat and poor hygiene, but this is a myth that needs to be dispelled! The real cause of "comedones" is to be found in the excessive production by the skin of cells and sebum that clog the pores. When these elements come into contact with the oxygen present in the air, the blackhead oxidizes becoming black, hence the name "black spot" of this imperfection. If you try to squeeze it with your hands, you may end up with unwanted scars. If you use a blackhead remover safely, then you can have clean skin without blemishes or bleeding.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Prepare the Skin
Step 1. Wash your face
You have to work on clean skin, so get rid of make-up and anything that might be on your face. Pat dry and be careful not to irritate the skin by rubbing it with a towel.
Step 2. Boil some water on the stove
It is easier to remove blackheads if the pores are large and open. A facial steam bath not only opens your pores for extraction, but also helps you relax and put you in a good mood.
Step 3. Put a towel on your garment
While you wait for the water to boil, find a washcloth or towel that you can hold over your head to trap the steam near your face to maximize its effects.
Step 4. Bring your face close to the steam
When the boiling water begins to evaporate considerably, remove the pot from the stove. Lean down so your face is over the pot and leave the cloth on your head like a curtain to trap the steam. Stay in this position for 4-8 minutes.
- Be very careful when handling the boiling water container. You should also wear oven mitts to protect your hands.
- Do not put your face too close to the steam or you could burn yourself. The effect of the steam must be pleasant, not painful.
- It is perfectly normal for your face to turn a little red with the steam, but stop the treatment if you notice that the skin is becoming irritated.
Method 2 of 2: Using the Extractor
Step 1. Sanitize the extractor
When using this tool, you work on a small opening in the skin where the black or white point will come out. If you don't use sterile material, you could introduce bacteria making the rash you want to treat even worse! To sterilize the blackhead extractor, just let it soak in denatured alcohol for one minute.
- Keep the alcohol on hand throughout the procedure to sterilize the extractor as you go.
- Remember to wash your hands carefully or wear latex gloves while touching your face. Your hands can carry germs and bacteria that you certainly don't want to transfer to the skin on your face.
Step 2. Position the extractor correctly
This tool has a ring at one end, which you have to place around the black or white point you want to eliminate.
- If you are having trouble seeing what you are doing, use a magnifying mirror. You can buy it at a reasonable price in supermarkets, perfumeries and even online.
- In the worst case, be sure to work in a well-lit room.
Step 3. Press gently, but firmly
Once the blackhead is surrounded by the extractor ring, you need to apply some pressure to force out the material that is blocking the pore. Press around the base of the blackhead working to completely clear the obstruction. Blackheads can creep deeply into the skin, so don't think you've pulled them out completely as soon as you see some material come out. Keep pressing at different angles until you see nothing else come out of the skin.
- When you are satisfied with the result, simply rub the extractor ring on the blackhead material to remove it from the skin.
- You can wash the tool in the sink or wipe off the blackhead with a paper towel.
Step 4. Sanitize the extractor again before using it again
You should sterilize it before working on any single blackhead, even if you are treating them all in one sitting. Soak the tool in denatured alcohol for one minute and repeat the procedure with the next black or white dot. Continue like this until you have removed all skin imperfections.
Step 5. Protect the enlarged pores
When you remove a blackhead, you leave a kind of open "wound" on the skin that, although barely visible, takes some time to heal. Apply a small amount of astringent to treat the areas you cleaned to protect them from bacteria and debris that could cause another rash.
- Moisturize the skin after applying the astringent to prevent it from drying out.
- Do not wear makeup until you have treated your skin with astringent.
Advice
- Depending on your skin type, you will need to repeat this procedure on a weekly or monthly basis. Getting rid of blackheads is endless work, be patient.
- You can also place a very warm cloth on your face. Remove it before it cools, otherwise it will cause pores to shrink.
Warnings
- As soon as you have removed the blackheads around the nose, the pores will look slightly larger, but only because they are now empty. The astringent product will cause them to shut down.
- Many people have a skin sensitivity to astringent. Apply it sparingly until the skin adjusts to the solution. If you've never used it on your face, it may turn red at first.
- Be very careful when putting your face over the steam. Breathe slowly and not so close to the water that it burns you.
- Remember to Not squash never with too much force the instrument on the skin. Not only is it aggressive on the skin, but it may also leave ring marks on the face for some time. If you are really too rough, you may also dilate the capillaries.
- Avoid putting hydrogen peroxide on your face. Since it is an oxidizing agent, it could have corrosive effects on the skin.
