How to use a blackhead remover

Which spots are blackheads?

Blackheads are open pores plugged with excess oil and dead skin. They look like dark spots or small bumps and usually do not hurt. A comedo is the medical term for a plugged pore: blackheads are open comedones, while whiteheads are closed ones. Whiteheads are not simply blackheads waiting for more pressure; removing their contents requires puncturing the surface, which is not a home extraction step.23

How do you use a blackhead remover tool kit?

A professional uses a small extractor with rigid metal loops to apply even pressure around a blackhead. Deep or embedded blackheads should be removed by a dermatologist or medical aesthetician, not tackled with extra force. Squeezing can leave part of the plug behind or push it deeper into the skin.2

Dermatologists usually consider extraction when acne treatment has not cleared blackheads or whiteheads, rather than as the first treatment. The equipment is sterilized, and the skin sometimes needs exfoliation beforehand. Professional extraction uses sterilized equipment, which is rather more preparation than naming a gadget "blackhead remover".1

What should you do at home instead?

1. 1Wash with a gentle cleanser twice a day. Use warm water and avoid scrubbing, which can irritate skin and make acne worse.
2. 2Choose a blackhead treatment rather than trying to force out each plug. A pharmacist can help you choose an acne product, including salicylic acid.
3. 3Use moisturizer regularly. Choose skincare and makeup labelled noncomedogenic, meaning they are designed not to clog pores.
4. 4Remove makeup at the end of the day and keep your hands away from your face. Picking and squeezing can worsen acne.

Salicylic acid is available in cleansers and lotions and dissolves dead skin cells to help prevent clogged follicles. Retinoids, medicines related to vitamin A, break up blackheads and whiteheads and help prevent new clogs. Retinoids can cause peeling or changes in skin colour; using them every other day or with moisturizer can reduce these effects. Follow the chosen product's directions rather than treating every acne product as interchangeable.2

Will removal keep blackheads away?

Extraction clears existing plugs, but blackheads and whiteheads can return, so ongoing skincare and acne treatment still matter. A metal loop is an extraction tool, not a complete skincare plan, despite the very ambitious job title. Acne treatment takes time: if you see no results after 4 to 6 weeks, a dermatologist can help you choose the next step.1

What if the blackhead is unusually large?

An unusually large blackhead can be a dilated pore of Winer, an enlarged clogged pore. Have a healthcare professional assess it instead of assuming it needs a bigger extractor. Large dilated pores sometimes need surgical removal and stitches. Do not attempt that removal at home.5

When should you stop and get medical help?

Do not keep pressing a spot that becomes painful or irritated. See a doctor for hot, swollen or red skin, lots of spots, deep painful lumps, scarring, or acne that is not improving with home treatment. Redness can be harder to see on brown and black skin. Painful cysts and nodules are not blackheads to empty with a kit; draining them at home carries a high infection risk. Acne that affects your mental health is also a reason to seek help.46