A Guide to Popping Blackheads
Everyone has been warning you against popping blackheads. People say that it will just irritate your blackheads further and cause more havoc on your skin. Now, that is a scary thought. You actually have seen some people looking worse after popping their pimples. However, if you really must pop your blackheads, you must at least have a guideline to go by. This is so that you can prevent your skin from getting worse. Note that if you do not pop your blackheads right, you could be spreading the oil and bacteria to other parts of your face.
Soften the Area/Open the Pores
Before you start popping blackheads, you have to prepare the affected area first. Use a warm cloth or face a basin with steaming water to open the pores.
Sterilize your Extractor
Do not use your extractor right from where you got it. You have to make sure that it is sterilized first before placing it on your skin. You could be infecting your skin more if you do not sterilize.
Use the Extractor Properly
Now that your skin is soft enough for the extraction, encircle the affected area with your extractor. Apply pressure on the area. There is no need to create a sweeping motion. The pressure is enough to let the infection ooze out of the skin.
Do not Press Too Hard or Too Long
You have to be gentle and not press too much. Do not prolong the pressure. Right after the skin is cleared of the blackhead, you can gently remove the extractor. Too much pressure can cause scarring on the affected area.
Use Antiseptic Cream
Apply antiseptic cream or disinfectant on the area of extraction. This is to avoid lingering infection and new infections.
Sterilize All Your Tools
Make sure you sterilize your extractor and any other tool that you have used when you were popping blackheads. This is so that you remove any infection from the tools. Still, before you use these tools on your next extraction, you need to sterilize again.
Though it is thought by many that when you pop your blackheads, you cause your skin more harm than good, a proper technique followed can actually cause your skin no harm. If you follow all the steps, especially the amount of pressure used and the regular sterilization, you should be alright. Of course, if you are still unsure about the safety of the process, you can always ask your dermatologist for further advice.