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How do I get rid of blackheads safely?

People should avoid popping, squeezing, or picking blackheads. Instead, safe removal of blackheads often involves topical treatments or extraction by a healthcare provider.

Acne is a very common inflammatory skin condition, which commonly starts at the time of puberty and can continue through life. It most commonly affects the face, as well as the back, shoulders, upper arms, and chest. There are several types of acne, one of which is blackheads.

Blackheads are one of the most misunderstood types of acne, as people tend to confuse them with dirt under the skin. As a result, they are often clearing blackheads in the wrong way. This not only fails to remove the blackheads, but it can also make them worse, and they can escalate into different skin infections.

While blackheads do not cause serious problems on their own, they cause psychological differences such as depression, anxiety, and poor self-image.

This article will advise how to remove blackheads. Medical News Today has also sourced a range of video content to help you regain smooth, clear skin.

Fast facts on blackhead removal:

Here are some key points about acne.

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, acne affects as many as 50 million people in the United States (U.S.) each year.
Girls aged 14 to 17 years and boys aged 16 to 19 years are most commonly affected by acne, though it can occur at any age.
People should avoid popping, squeezing, or picking at blackheads.
Gentle cleansing with dedicated chemical soaps or lotions is the most effective way to clear blackheads

What are blackheads?

A man wiping his blackheads with a cleansing pad. — There are many gels, lotions, and cleansing pads available to treat blackheads.

Often misunderstood as trapped dirt, blackheads are actually small deposits of melanin, the pigment that darkens skin. They are also known as comedones.

The pigment has turned brown due to being exposed to oxygen. This happenes as a result of open pores in the skin.

Making the distinction between trapped dirt and blackheads is the first step to removing them.

Blackhead removal

People with blackheads should avoid popping, squeezing, rubbing, touching, or picking at affected areas.

Not all acne is treated in the same way. To treat blackheads, a healthcare provider may recommend over-the-counter (OTC) or prescription medications depending on a particular situation. These can be applied topically, or directly to the skin.

Topically applied therapy for people affected by mild acne and blackheads may include the use of:

benzoyl peroxide
antibiotics
retinoids
salicylic acid
sulfur

Remedies may be purchased in the form of gels, lotions, cream, soaps, or pads.

In some cases, a healthcare provider may recommend extraction, in which they will manually remove blackheads with special tools called comedone extractors.

Here is a video of Dr. Lisa Benest, a dermatologist based in Los Angeles, demonstrating how a comedone extractor works.

For some women, the use of oral contraceptives, low-dose corticosteroids, or spironolactone may improve hormonally driven acne, even in mild cases.

Steps for washing the face

Washing the face correctly can spare a person with blackheads the need to visit a dermatologist.

It is often the case that cleaning the skin at home is the best first-line treatment for acne and blackheads. Good skin hygiene can help to keep the pores unclogged.

However, over-scrubbing can do more harm than good. Here are the steps for washing your face in a way that will not encourage the development of more blackheads and further skin infections.

To prepare for cleanse, make sure you have:

hand soap
makeup removal solution for those who wear makeup
a cream with moisturizing capabilities for people with dry skin
mild cleanser that is marked soap-free
foaming cleanser containing alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) for individuals with oily skin
a cleansing solution that contains salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide for acne-prone skin
a face towel

Once you have the products tailored to your skin type, take the following steps each night:

Wash your hands to keep them free of bacteria.
Remove any makeup you may be wearing using makeup remover or wipes.
Make sure water temperature is warm but moderate.
Apply the type of cleanser best suited to your skin. Gently massage the cleanser in a circular motion and be sure to rotate your hands outwards from the center of your face for at least one minute.
Focus on the nose and forehead, as these areas of the face are particularly prone to sebum, or oil, production.
Be sure to cleanse the jawline and hairline.
Rinse the cleanser from your face by splashing your face with warm water.
Dab the face with a clean hand towel, patting the skin dry and being sure not to rub or push down too hard.
Apply any prescribed or OTC lotions, creams or gels after this cleaning process.
Repeat this process twice daily for the best results.

This helpful video from physician’s assistant Erin Jensen demonstrates the above steps.

What to avoid

There are many ways to clean blackheads incorrectly. People often do not consider these steps when cleansing the face.

Be sure to avoid:

vigorous cleaning and scrubbing of the skin
very hot or very cold water when washing
the use of toners, exfoliants, astringents, strong soaps, or scrubbing pads, unless told otherwise
popping, squeezing, rubbing, touching, or picking at affected areas
sunburn or tanning
the use of pore-clogging skin care products

Other preventive measures

A gentle and well-considered facial cleansing process is not the only way to keep blackheads at bay or reduce them if they appear.

The following measures can also help to preserve clear and healthful skin:

Shampoo the hair frequently.
Remove all make-up in the evening before going to bed.
Consider using oil-free skin care products, including sunscreen.
For people with dry skin, fragrance-free, water-based emollients are recommended.
Take care when shaving.

Speak with a healthcare provider to be sure you are using products suitable for your particular skin type.

Risk factors for developing acne

Blackheads can develop into more severe acne as a result of the following factors:

A woman is squeezing a pimple. — Squeezing or picking blackheads can make the acne worse.

overactive oil glands
genes
hormonal status
menstruation
psychological issues such as stress
certain medications
pore-clogging skin care products
pressure from sports helmets, sports equipment, tight-fitted collars, and other sources of rubbing
exposure to pollution or humid temperature conditions
sweating
squeezing or picking at skin lesions
excessive or hard skin scrubbing

Bear these factors in mind when trying to remove blackheads. If the cause is a factor such as stress, dealing with that cause can often be the best way to clear blackheads.

Blackheads do not cause serious health problems, but they can affect confidence and self-image. Cleaning them in the right way can also prevent the development of more severe skin infections.

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Everything you need to know about blackheads

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Blackheads are small, dark lesions that appear on the skin, often on the face and neck. They are a feature of mild acne, but they can appear without other signs of acne being present.

They contain an oxidized version of melanin, the dark pigment made by cells in the skin.

In the United States (U.S.) acne is a skin infection that affects up to 50 million people. Handling blackheads in the right way can help prevent the development of more severe acne.

Fast facts about blackheads

Blackheads are made of oxidized melanin and not trapped dirt.
Squeezing or scrubbing at blackheads can make them worse.
To reduce blackheads, avoid oil-based skin care products, humid environments, tight clothes, and skin products that contain alcohol.
They tend to appear when hormones lead to the increased production of sebum, an oily substance, by the glands under the skin.

What are blackheads?

Blackheads are pockets of oxidized melanin on the surface of the skin.

Blackheads are a type of comedo. Comedones occur when the pores in the skin become plugged with dead skin cells and an oily, protective substance known as sebum.

The top of the blackhead, which is visible on the surface of the skin, has a dark color.

Normally, hair grows from hair follicles in the pores, and the sebum-producing sebaceous glands lie underneath.

When these pores are plugged, the dead skin cells in the open pore react with oxygen in the air and turn black, forming a blackhead.

This is often confused with trapped dirt, but the development of blackheads is not related to the cleanliness of the skin.

Other acne lesions are usually closed, but in blackheads, the skin around the clogged pore opens, air gets in causing the collected sebum oil or dead skin cells to oxidize and turn black or sometimes yellowish.

Blackheads appear most frequently on the face, back, neck, chest, arms, and shoulders. There are more hair follicles in these areas.

Learn More About Acne

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Causes

Some factors can increase the chance of developing blackheads.

Age and hormonal changes are an important factor. Like other symptoms of acne, blackheads are most common during puberty, when the change in hormone levels triggers a spike in sebum production. However, they can appear at any age.

Androgen, the male sex hormone, triggers greater secretion of sebum and a higher turnover of skin cells around puberty. Both boys and girls experience higher levels of androgens during adolescence.

After puberty, hormonal changes related to menstruation, pregnancy, and the use of birth control pills can also bring on blackheads in women.

Overproduction of skin cells by the body can cause blackheads.

Other factors include:

the blocking or covering pores by cosmetics and clothing
heavy sweating
shaving and other activities that open the hair follicles
high humidity and grease in the immediate environment
some health conditions, such as stress, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) and premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
medications that encourage rapid skin cell turnover
use of some steroid-based drugs, such as corticosteroids

Contrary to popular belief, poor hygiene does not directly cause blackheads. Excessive scrubbing in an attempt to remove them can make them worse.

Symptoms

The main symptom is the small, dark lesion that gives blackheads their name.

Blackheads are a symptom of acne, but, being caused by open pores, they differ in some ways from other acne lesions.

Blackheads are non-inflammatory. This means they are not infected, and they will not cause pain and discomfort in the same way as pimples and pustules.

Blackheads have a raised texture, but they are flatter than pimples.

The change in appearance caused by blackheads can lead to embarrassment and social or psychological difficulties in some patients.

Sebaceous filaments

Sebaceous filaments look like blackheads, but they are different. They can appear on the nose. They tend to be smaller, appear in groups, and feel flat to the touch. Sebaceous filaments are glands that channel the flow of sebum through the pores. Unlike blackheads, they are not a form of acne.

Diagnosis

Blackheads will rarely lead to a doctor’s visit unless severe acne is already present. They are easy to identify and diagnose from their appearance.

Treatment: Do’s and don’ts

Most people manage their blackheads at home without needing to see a doctor, but some activities can make them worse or trigger a more severe type of acne.

There are many myths and contradictions about how to treat blackheads, so it may be best to see what works for you.

Do’s for blackheads

Blackhead cleanse — Gently cleansing the skin can help blackheads, so long as the cream used does not excessively dry the skin.

Cleansing: Special scrubs for gently exfoliating the face can help. Look for those that are fragrance-free and for sensitive skin, and avoid anything that makes your skin overly dry. Various products are available to purchase online.

While it is important to dry up the skin by decreasing excessive oil production, drying it too much may make matters worse due to stimulating the extra production of oil by the glands.

Make-up and cosmetics: Use non-comedogenic products that do not clog pores instead should keep the pores clear and open and reduce the buildup of dead skin. Non-comedogenic makeup is available to purchase online from various brands.

Prescription treatments: Azelaic acid, salicylic acid, and benzoyl peroxide are also available in both prescription and over the counter (OTC) forms for non-inflammatory acne. These are topical treatments, applied directly to the skin.

Prescription medications that contain vitamin A, such as tretinoin, tazarotene, and adapalene, may be prescribed to keep plugs from forming in the hair follicles and promote the more rapid turnover of skin cells.

However, most people do not seek these treatments until their acne has worsened to become an infected or more severe form, such as pimples. It might be best to have a skin care specialist remove the blackheads if they become bothersome.

Underlying conditions: Any other skin problems, such as eczema or rosacea, can make treating blackheads a little harder. The condition should be treated before the acne, as successful treatment may lead to improvements in the blackheads.

Rest and relaxation: Getting enough rest and avoiding stress can also help, as stress can trigger sebum production. Exercise can help reduce stress.

Food: Research has not confirmed that cutting out fries or chocolate either will or will not reduce acne, but a healthful, balanced diet with plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables is beneficial for overall health. It may reduce the risk of skin lesions becoming infected.

Don’ts for blackheads

Hormonal triggers can make blackheads unavoidable, but some factors can increase the risk or make them worse.

Squeezing: Avoid squeezing blackheads, even with a metal blackhead remover, as this can irritate the skin and make the problem worse.

Steaming: A steam bath has long been recommended as a treatment for blackheads, on the basis that it “opens the pores.” However, this has not been confirmed by research. Some people find it makes the problem worse.

Scrubbing: This can worsen the problem. Scrubbing removes sebum. The sebaceous glands then work harder to replace the sebum, leading to more blockages and the risk of inflammatory acne.

Removers: Removal strips, masks, and vacuums should be used with caution, as these can irritate and damage the skin if misused.

Makeup and cosmetics: Avoid oil-based makeups and skin care products.

Other environmental triggers to avoid are:

humid environments
tight clothes that close off the skin
skin products with alcohol, as these can also tighten and dry out the skin

Hydrogen peroxide: This has been recommended for acne. It can reduce the severity of outbreaks, but it is also a harsh product that can dry and irritate the skin. Researchers remain undecided about whether it should be used or not, because of its adverse effects.

Plant-based treatments

Plant-based treatments are often recommended for acne, and some research is under way. Tea tree, thyme, aloe vera, and rose oils all appear to offer antibacterial benefitsTrusted Source to prevent acne from becoming infected. Further research is needed.

As a form of mild acne, blackheads tend to resolve on their own when the body more successfully regulates hormones after puberty. It can take a long time for blackheads to self-resolve, and they may persist for many years.

A patient who is experiencing psychological difficulties with the appearance of blackheads may find it helpful to see a counselor.