It's much better to leave a blackhead alone or treat it gently with skincare products, as squeezing can cause inflammation, infection, enlarged pores, scarring, and hyperpigmentation, potentially making it worse or leaving permanent marks. Dermatologists recommend using ingredients like salicylic acid (BHA) or charcoal masks to draw out the blockage safely, reserving professional extractions for aestheticians or doctors.
If a blackhead is close to the surface of your skin, it's more likely to go away on its own. However, some blackheads can be deeply embedded in your skin. Deep, embedded blackheads are less likely to go away on their own. If you have embedded blackheads, a dermatologist or medical aesthetician can remove them.
Some untreated blackheads are a bit more stubborn than others and can become inflamed or infiltrated by bacteria. What happens if you don't remove blackheads like these? They'll likely turn into deep blackheads and, eventually, pimples.
“Avoid picking at blackheads! Attempting to extract will introduce additional bacteria and actually cause the opening to get bigger,” says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Diane Madfes. “Forcing the contents of the gland deeper and causing scarring.
When the skin around the pore is squeezed, sebaceous filaments are released as white or yellowish strands. Sebaceous filaments and other substances clogging pores can oxidize upon exposure to air, turning into blackheads.
Pore strips can remove blackheads from the skin's surface but are not a long-term solution. Not all dark spots on your nose are blackheads; some are just large pores that pore strips cannot help. To get rid of blackheads, you may need treatments like retinoids or salicylic acid.
A dilated pore of Winer is a common, giant blackhead pimple, found on your head, neck and torso. Dilated pores of Winer occur on adults and the elderly.
When you use your fingers, you risk pushing the infection deeper, leading to more inflammation, scarring, and even rupturing beneath the skin. Dermatologists use specialized tools because they apply even pressure, making extractions safer and more effective. If you do use a tool, be gentle!
A toner with salicylic acid can help close off your pores so that less debris and sebum can get in. Toner products help clean out and tighten your pores. But keep in mind that toners can dry out your skin. A toner with salicylic acid can help close off your pores so that less debris and sebum can get in.
While Vaseline doesn't directly dissolve blackheads, it does soften keratin and sebum inside the pores, allowing them to be removed more easily — a gentler alternative to forceful squeezing.
“Blackheads are caused by the pores getting clogged up by oils, dirt, and dead skin cells, which then come into contact with oxygen (oxidize) and turn that dark color,” explains Dr. Fenton. Now that you know how they got there, let's talk about how to remove blackheads from your skin.
The best way to remove blackheads is by using exfoliating ingredients, regulating oil production, and keeping pores clear. Salicylic acid is particularly effective because it penetrates deep into pores "because it can penetrate into the pores to break down the plugs of oil and dead skin,” says Dr.
Deep blackheads are caused by blackheads sitting underneath the skin for months or sometimes even longer [4]. It's not uncommon to have a deep blackhead for years if you don't find the right extraction method.
Don't destroy your face just because you have a few of them. If you have extensive breakouts, the best way to remove them is to visit your dermatologist for a session of safe, effective blackhead removal.
Previously Popped Pimple
If you squeezed a whitehead, but it wasn't fully removed, it can become inflamed again. It's also possible for another pimple to appear next to it because the area got irritated and exposed to bacteria.
According to Dr. Maiman, the "gold standard" of blackhead removal tools is a stainless steel comedone extractor. The best part? They are safe to use on sensitive skin and will only cost you a few bucks.
Your body can gradually break down pus and reabsorb its components. That's why small accumulations of pus (like in a pimple) often don't need treatment.
Factors that can cause your pimples to smell
The smell associated with acne isn't just a byproduct of the blemishes themselves—it's caused by an interplay of factors. The presence of bacteria, the intensity of your acne breakout, and your personal hygiene practices all collectively contribute to this distinctive scent.
A comedo (plural comedones) is a clogged hair follicle (pore) in the skin. Keratin (skin debris) combines with oil to block the follicle. A comedo can be open (blackhead) or closed by skin (whitehead) and occur with or without acne.
Because the pore gets stretched out of shape, it will fill back up again even after it is emptied.
They may be sebaceous filaments , and not actual blackheads. Pore strips can't grip those since they're pretty much just little strings of sebum. unfortunately, even if you can remove them, the SF's will come back after a few hours. BHA products like salicylic acid can help decrease their appearance over time though.