Blackheads come out like worms because the extracted substance is a mix of hardened sebum (oil), dead skin cells, and dirt, forming a stringy plug that resembles a parasite; technically, these plugs are called "comedones," a Latin term historically used for worms, giving them their worm-like description, though they're often confused with normal sebaceous filaments, which are also thin, waxy strands.
A comedo can be open (blackhead) or closed by skin (whitehead) and occur with or without acne. The word comedo comes from Latin comedere 'to eat up' and was historically used to describe parasitic worms; in modern medical terminology, it is used to suggest the worm-like appearance of the expressed material.
If you're noticing a stringy or hair-like structure coming out of your pore when you squeeze, that's likely a sebaceous filament rather than a sebum plug. Unlike sebum plugs, sebaceous filaments are not blocked or clogged in any way.
Blackheads are drawn out by ingredients that dissolve oil and dead skin (like salicylic acid), absorb excess oil (**clay and charcoal masks), or increase skin cell turnover (retinoids). Gentle exfoliation and regular cleansing with these ingredients, combined with techniques like steam to open pores and careful extraction, help dislodge the plug of sebum and skin cells, preventing future blockages.
The holes left behind when you extract blackheads are enlarged pores. Overtime, these holes may reduce by using retinol or glycolic acid or by receiving aesthetician services.
Because the pore gets stretched out of shape, it will fill back up again even after it is emptied.
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.
Blackheads are drawn out by ingredients that dissolve oil and dead skin (like salicylic acid), absorb excess oil (**clay and charcoal masks), or increase skin cell turnover (retinoids). Gentle exfoliation and regular cleansing with these ingredients, combined with techniques like steam to open pores and careful extraction, help dislodge the plug of sebum and skin cells, preventing future blockages.
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.
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.
You should avoid squeezing your sebaceous filaments. Sebaceous filaments are natural, and if you manage to squeeze out sebum, your pores will fill up again within 30 days. Your skin is sensitive, and your nails are much stronger than your skin.
Blackheads are caused by dirt and oil that clog your pores and turn black when exposed to air. The nose is a popular spot for blackheads because of the excess oil that gathers there, either by natural production or by contact with our hands, makeup, dirt, etc.
A comedone is the pore, the opening in your skin, that connects your sebaceous, or oil-producing gland, your hair follicle, and little tiny muscles that help your pores open and close. When that pore gets stuffed with debris, dead skin, oil pollution from the environment, that becomes a blackhead.
If a person squeezes or 'extracts' a sebaceous filament, a white or yellow worm-like structure may ooze out. Or, the filament may not produce anything. Trying to extract sebaceous filaments can injure the skin and cause scarring. It can also damage and stretch the pore, making it appear bigger.
DON'T POP SEBACEOUS FILAMENTS AND BLACKHEADS
In other words, a short-term “solution” can actually become a long-term habit that can make the problem worse.
Yes, there are some variations of skin cancer that could resemble a pimple, especially in the earliest stages. Tiny skin cancer lumps on the skin that refuse to heal can look like acne. It's common for skin cancer to be mistaken for acne—especially when it appears as a red bump that won't go away.
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. Khalifian.
Blackheads are a type of acne (acne vulgaris). They're open bumps on the skin that fill with excess oil and dead skin. They look as if dirt is in the bump, but an irregular light reflection off the clogged follicle actually causes the dark spots.
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.
Popping blackheads often doesn't remove the entire clog, and may even push it deeper into the pore, and squeezed sebaceous filaments will refill in about a month. Pore strips may provide temporary results, but they're not a long-term solution. They can dry out the skin and open it up to acne-causing bacteria.
Several nonprescription acne medications can treat blackheads, including topical treatments containing salicylic acid, azelaic acid, benzoyl peroxide, and vitamin A derivatives, such as retinoids.
The hardest smells to get rid of are often deeply embedded, like skunk spray, cigarette smoke, pet urine, mold/mildew, and fire/water damage odors, because they permeate porous materials (carpets, upholstery, drywall, synthetic fabrics) and can get into HVAC systems, requiring professional cleaning or specialized ozone treatments to neutralize the odor molecules themselves, not just mask them.
HS typically affects areas of the body with skin folds where sweat can get trapped and bacteria can grow. This buildup may cause odor and skin irritation, possibly triggering an outbreak. Keeping the affected areas clean with regular washing can help manage the HS smell.
Blackheads can sometimes smell due to the blockage of oil and debris within the follicle. Does blackhead removal hurt? The removal of blackheads is virtually painless and there is no need to apply a numbing cream before the procedure.