Many of my clients often come to me for skin treatments because they are frustrated with blackheads and pimples. I do my best to help rid their skin of bacteria and oil which causes blackheads, but sometimes this is not always possible. Let me first explain the difference between a blackhead and a pimple. A blackhead also know as a closed comedo, is a yellow or blackish bump usually found on the face or the back. Contrary to the common belief that it is caused by poor hygiene, blackheads are caused by excess oils that have accumulated in the sebaceous gland‘s ducts. In contrast, a “whitehead” also known as a pimple, is a follicle that is filled with the same material; sebum, but lacks a small opening to the skin surface. If you have trouble with blackheads, I recommend making an appointment with a licensed esthetician to perform extractions on your skin. If you insist on doing it yourself beware if done incorrectly it can cause hyper-pigmentation. Here are some general guidelines to follow:
1) To lessen damage to the skin, do not attempt to “pop” your pimple unless it has shown a white head and appears to be on the surface of the skin. This means the pimple is ripe and ready to be extracted.
2) Prepare skin for extractions by cleansing AND exfoliating. Exfoliating will help remove debris from skin and slough off any dead skin cells. If you do not have any blemishes or blackheads, this should be done once or twice a week as a part of your regular skin care routine.
3) It is absolutely critical that you apply heat to your skin before extracting blackheads. When you apply heat, it softens the surface of the skin which will make it easier for you to extract the pimple.
4) To ensure you are not spreading bacteria from your fingers to face, wash your hands and wrap your fingers in cotton or tissue. Gently stretch the area in which you are extracting the blackhead, and use the pads of your fingertips to maneuver any puss from the skin.
5) Restore the ph balance to skin by using a toner and finish the procedure by applying a mask. I often say to my clients, “You have to clean out before you clean up.” This means, that when you receive a skin treatment/facial, you may experience a minor break out. This is because the toxins and bacteria have been released from the skin. The break out should not last more than a couple of days and skin should return to its normal state quickly thereafter.
