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Blackheads, also known as open comedones, are a type of acne that mostly affects young adults and adolescents. As the name implies, blackheads appear as tiny black spots on the surface of the skin. In severe cases, blackheads may create bumps that can easily be mistaken for pimples.
They are one of the most common types of acne and affect up to 85% of Australians aged between 15 and 24 years. However, some people can get acne even in their thirties. The good news is that there are specialised tools that can help you remove blackheads without hurting your skin.
Blackhead removal tools come in different shapes and sizes, so it’s up to you to choose the most ideal option for your skin. If you are having a difficult time using a comedone extractor, this article can help you.
What is Blackhead Remover Tool?
In simple terms, a blackhead remover tool is a specialised piece of equipment made of stainless that helps in the removal of dirt and oil responsible for causing comedone. There are different types of blackhead extractors that you can use depending on how sensitive your skin is.
Although they look simple, comedone remover tools can be challenging to use, especially if you’ve never owned one before. When used correctly, a blackhead remover tool can safely expel blackheads, leaving your skin in a better condition.
How to Safely Use a Blackhead Extractor: Step by Step
Comedones can leave permanent marks on your skin if not mitigated. Blackhead removers are not only effective when it comes to extracting comedones but are also affordable. Best of all, they’ll save you the hassle of going to the spa every now and then.
Hers how you can extract blackheads using a blackhead remover tool:
Step 1: Thoroughly wash your hands with soap and clean water
Ensure that you wash your hands properly before touching your face. This will prevent the transfer of bacteria and other harmful substances to your skin.
Step 2: Sanitise the blackhead remover tool
You can use alcohol or a cleaning agent of choice to sanitise the comedone extractor. If you have hypersensitive skin, you should consider using a hypoallergenic cleaning compound.
Also, ensure that you pick the most appropriate blackhead remover for your skin. Depending on your needs you can use a flat loop, angled loop, small loop, or eye loop blackhead extractor.
Step 3: Wash your face with warm water
Washing your face with warm water not only removes topical dirt, but will also open your pores. To get the best results, you can press a warm cloth against your face for a few seconds.
Step 4: Place the comedone remover around the blackhead
Position the looped part of the tool around the area that you want to clean. Apply gentle pressure as you move the loop to one side. If you do everything correctly and apply the right amount of pressure, the blackhead will pop out without the tool hurting your skin.
You should be cautious when doing this to prevent bruising. Stop the treatment immediately if the area is bleeding. Do this for all affected areas.
Step 5: Rinse your face with lukewarm water
Once you are done extracting the blackheads, you need to clean your face again using warm water and soap. Since the barrier of the skin is broken, it is advisable that you use mild soaps to avoid irritation.
Step 6: Dab your face with a warm towel
After washing your face, you can dab it with a clean towel. This will deliver an instant cooling effect. You shouldn’t use alcohol or acid-based facial products for up to 24 hours.
Apply a toner of your choice and avoid touching the areas that you have cleaned. In addition to this, you can apply a moisturiser to keep your skin hydrated.
Note: Always clean, disinfect and keep the blackhead remover tool dry after you are done with the treatment.
Other Methods of Removing Blackheads
If you don’t prefer the regular comedone remover tool, you can use a blackhead vacuum. These devices are fitted with small yet powerful motors that deliver a suction force for quick and easy blackhead extraction.
To use a blackhead vacuum, simply power on your device and position the suction nozzle on the affected area. Press the trigger switch to engage the vacuum function.
Gently move the device over the areas that have blackheads. Repeat this as required. Nonetheless, you should stop and give your skin time to rest if you feel any irritation.
You can also use blackhead tweezers. However, tweezers are mostly used by professionals, so you should only choose this option if you know what you are doing.
If you like, you can also use medications such as benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, azelaic acid, etc. Noncomedogenic facial care products can also prevent blackheads.
Conclusion
When using a blackhead remover tool, be sure not to push the blackhead deep into your skin. The rule of thumb is to place the comedone extractor around the blackhead and not above it. To avoid other skin problems, always consult your dermatologist before using a blackhead remover for the first time.
