Take advantage of the steamy bathroom when you step out of the shower!
Before going thru a bunch of difficult extractions and spending money on professional treatments or buying tools and products, first try wiping them away with an eye makeup remover soaked cotton ball. Oftentimes what you think are actual sebum and debris filled pores may just be mascara that has fallen off your lashes throughout the day; especially if the blackheads are on your nose. The eye makeup remover may just wipe them out and away. Then if that is not the case you can pretty much assume they are indeed blackheads that may need to be removed. So if you decide to extract on your own at home I would do it after applying a hot wash cloth or directly after shower when room is still steamy and with tissue paper wrapped around your two index fingers so as not to introduce any bacteria. Do Not use extracting tools as you may end up with injured and scarred skin. Additionally, if you’re tempted to hit the pimples with the white pus and/or debris you will also need to follow these guidelines starting with (numbered items below italicized note:
*First and foremost if you're under the care of a dermatologist or physician be sure to consult with he or she to be sure you are a candidate for extractions and tweezing (especially doing it at home instead of a skincare professional doing it at a day spa or doctor's office). They may feel you have a condition or sensitivity that you could be making worse by doing so.
1) Don’t touch them.
2) Have a professional do it instead.
3) If you're still hell-bent on doing it after guidelines 1 and 2 you need to be sure they are ready! You know what I mean…you can practically see the sebum leaking out!
4) And even if they are ready and you’re ready to extract do it while they are still warm under clean conditions with tips of index fingers wrapped in tissue.
5) If they are stubborn; just stop, they are not ready.
6) Don’t use extraction tools or pop them with pins or anything as you may introduce bacteria which could potentially cause serious health problems and/or scarring. (and by the way, complications may occur without using tools and pins as well)
7) Apply a gentle toner and a good spot treatment (and of course your regimen so long as there is nothing in it to cause irritation and/or any professional or product directions suggesting no use after certain treatments, etc). A little redness is normal as you’ve just pushed and prodded on it and it may be a little irritated (however this may also indicate that you’re being too aggressive). Tweezing and extracting can have certain downsides but by doing it with warm open pores you should eliminate or at least diminish any potential problems. Additionally, it should be easier. I know we all want diminished closed pores but make sure that happens after you’ve tweezed, picked and prodded, because they need to be opened in order for the exit of hair and debris.
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