Can i squeeze blackheads

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Chubby Sticks. Pop Lipstick. Shop All Makeup. Scent Family. Shop All Fragrance. Sun Protection. Shop All Clinique For Men. New Arrivals. Battling with blackheads? Those small blemishes that appear on your T-zone and defy even the most robust skincare routine can be frustrating. No matter how hard you squeeze, steam, strip or scrub your face, the unwanted pinpricks remain. But what exactly are blackheads and more importantly, how do you get rid of them?

We speak to Dr Anjali Mahto , Consultant Dermatologist and spokesperson for the British Skin Foundation , about ridding your skin of those pesky spots for good:. Blackheads appear as tiny black marks on the nose, forehead and other areas of the face and — although they look different to your average pimple — they are actually classed as a form of acne.

The black colour results from oxidation of the debris within the follicle. It can be tempting and even satisfying to squeeze blackheads but — despite the amount of 'gunk' this can release from the follicles — Dr Mahto recommends you resist the urge. In most cases, your skin will clear the blockage on its own if you give it time. You might also want to try using over-the-counter products , such as pore-clearing strips, retinoids , and cleansers that contain salicylic acid.

However, using pore strips may also remove natural oils from the skin, which can lead to irritation and dryness. Be aware that most blackheads are caused by overproduction of natural oils in your skin. For stubborn blackheads, consider see an aesthetician or a dermatologist for an extraction. Some aestheticians offer extraction-only facials that last about 30 minutes.

Find blackhead-clearing products online. Tools called comedone extractors can be used to remove blackheads. These tools are typically made of stainless steel and have a small circle at the end. Removing a blackhead yourself with a comedone extractor is no safer than any other way of doing it yourself. After you remove a blackhead, your pore will appear smaller.

Swipe a toner, such as witch hazel , over the area to kill any bacteria you may have spread and to condition your pores. You may want to avoid directly touching the area while your skin heals.

Introducing dirt or any irritant to the area can result in another blackhead. Buy witch hazel online. This only works for blemishes with large, obvious whiteheads that are close to the surface of the skin. If you still have the whitehead:. If the pimple doesn't drain easily, then it's not ready.

Don't force it and it's best to leave it alone. Try an overnight spot treatment in the interim. While you can sometimes gently extract a whitehead, there are certain types of pimples you should never try to pop:. It's generally safer to extract a blackhead than an inflamed pimple because there's less risk of infection and scarring.

This isn't a license to start digging away at your skin, though. You'll still need to treat your skin gently. You may want to plan your extraction session for immediately after your shower or bath. The steam and warmth relaxes the pore openings and loosens and softens the blackhead plugs, making it easier to coax them from the pore.

Comedone extractors are small metal tools estheticians use to remove blackheads. They can be an option, but they can do more harm than good in unskilled hands. You can easily apply too much pressure and bruise your skin. If you do use a comedone extractor, make sure you sanitize it first with rubbing alcohol. Position the loop of the extractor around the blackhead, with the blackhead in the middle. Apply gentle pressure straight down; don't use the extractor to dig at the blackhead.

If you're leaving red marks on the skin, you're pushing too hard. Some blackheads are stubborn and won't leave the pore. If you can't extract them, leave them alone for another day. A pimple will usually heal on its own within about five to seven days. As a pimple forms, white blood cells try to fight the infection.

The white blood cells die and combine with dead skin cells to form pustules. Once the infection heals, the pimple starts to go away. If you've already popped a pimple, don't try to squeeze any more out of it. To help it heal , wash it with a gentle cleanser, and try using a spot treatment with salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide. To help reduce any swelling, you might try using a cold compress with a cloth wrapped around an ice pack.

Extracting individual blemishes on occasion isn't a big deal. But if you have a lot of breakouts, the best option is to stop them before they even appear.