All Of Your Blackhead Questions Answered

Blackheads are a common but mild form of acne that appear as tiny dark spots on the skin. "Blackheads, by medical terminology, are called open comedones," dermatologist Reena Rupani, MD tells Mount Sinai. "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." They can show up anywhere on the body, but they most commonly appear on the face in the T-zone, along the forehead, nose, the cheeks, and chin.

Blackheads are often confused for whiteheads or pimples. According to the American Academy of Dermatology Association, the difference comes down to whether or not the clogged pore is open. A bump that is white or flesh-colored exists in a closed pore, while blackheads are exposed to the air. Blackheads also differ from pustules, or pus-filled pimples, which occur when the debris clogging the skin's pores are infected. Both whiteheads and pustules may feel tender or cause discomfort, whereas blackheads are normally painless. Although blackheads do not affect your health or wellbeing, their presence alongside more severe forms of acne can cause significant psychological stress.

Acne, including blackheads, are a common skin condition for people between the ages of 12 and 25. According to Drugwatch, the hormonal changes that occur during puberty are largely responsible for the presence of the pesky, black spots and can last for several years. People who experience other forms of acne are more susceptible to blackheads as well (via Everyday Health). As the body ages into adulthood and the hormone production regulates, blackheads may decrease or disappear altogether.

However, it is a myth that blackheads only affect teenagers going through puberty. "It's a common misconception to think of acne as a teenage disease," says Yale Medicine dermatologist Christopher Bunick, MD, PhD. One of the most common reasons adult women between the ages of 20 to 40, for example, come to the dermatology clinic is for acne. Clinical trial data revealed that approximately 50% of women in their 20s, 33% of women in their 30s, and 25% of women in their 40s suffer from acne." Experts aren't exactly sure why blackheads persist into adulthood for some, however a family history of acne may explain why some people are more prone to developing them later in life.

Pore strips, commonly referred to as nose strips, are a decades-old, disgustingly satisfying tool for removing blackheads. The sticky paper strips are designed to remove the top layers of dead skin and blackheads using a strong layer of adhesive. They are also easy to use. Simply wash your face and apply a fresh strip to the wet skin of your nose. Leave on for 10 to 20 minutes and then gently pull off. If you've ever used a pore strip, you know how gross the back looks once it's been removed. But are they actually effective at treating or removing blackheads from the nose area?

"Pore strips can help (very) temporarily to improve the appearance of pores, but there is no permanent change or improvements to the skin achieved with such a strip," dermatologist Shari Marchbein tells Allure. Experts agree that pore strips are helpful for removing a large portion of the surface level gunk present in your pores. If used correctly no more than twice a week, you may notice your pores look smaller and cleaner.

However, pore strips aren't a permanent solution for blackheads as they don't help treat the root cause of their existence. They also aren't for everybody. People with sensitive skin, skin conditions like rosacea, adhesive allergies, or those who use topical retinoid medicines to treat other kinds of acne may find pore strips cause significant irritation or pain.

Although topical, at-home treatments work for most people, severe or extra persistent blackheads may need to be professionally extracted. Having an aesthetician or dermatologist extract blackheads as a part of a facial treatment will ensure they are removed safely. During a facial, an aesthetician will use steam to help soften and remove dirt clogging the pores (via Simply Skin Esthetics). Then, after cleansing, the professional will use gloves and cotton pads before applying gentle pressure or a tool called an extractor to remove the comedone.

Glycolic acid chemical peels are a more expensive but effective professional blackhead treatment an expert can perform. "Glycolic acid has a small molecular structure, giving it the ability to travel deep into the layers of the skin. Once there, the acid dissolves excess sebum and dead skin cells, revealing smoother, brighter, and younger-looking skin," licensed aesthetician Krista Eichten tells Byrdie. Glycolic acid is an exfoliant and helps to keep the pores clear. It also helps diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, reform texture, and reveals bright, luminous skin.

It is always safer to have blackheads removed by a professional. Skin experts know the appropriate ways to prep the skin and are able to figure out how deep your pores are. They can also determine the safest, most effective treatment and products you can use for prevention purposes.

Blackhead extractors are stainless steel tools shaped like tweezers with two loops on either end. They are commonly used at salons and spas, but they are available for at-home use. Generally speaking extractors are safe to use occasionally, but they shouldn't be relied upon as a sole blackhead treatment.

"It works by gently pushing the clogged sebum out of the pore," Morgan Rackley, an Atlanta-based aesthetician, tells Real Simple. "If using a comedone extractor at home, I recommend using only the rounded side — some come with a pointed side to open the blackhead/whitehead, but unless you're a professional, you run the risk of cutting too deeply and causing injury when using this side."

Using a blackhead extractor requires a gentle touch, patience, and plenty of skin prep. In addition to cleaning the extractor tool, it is important to clean your skin and prepare the area with either steam or a warm compress. "Gently press on each side of the blackhead until it begins to release," celebrity aesthetician Renée Rouleau tells Glamour. "Apply slow, even pressure, and once you are able, lightly pinch the tweezers and pull the blacked-out material from the skin to extract it. If the blackhead does not release easily, do not continue to attempt the extraction." When you are finished extracting the blackheads wash your face or use an alcohol-free toner with antibacterial components to help flush out any lingering gunk in the pores.

Blackheads may be a major buzzkill on important days and a skincare annoyance of the highest order, but they aren't dangerous, painful, or contagious. Technically speaking, they do not have to be removed for health or wellness purposes. Many choose to remove them because they don't like the look of them or the way they make them feel. But what happens if you don't have the funds to get them professionally extracted? What if you don't buy pore strips or other over-the-counter products and you don't remove blackheads?

In some cases, they may remove themselves. "The pores on our face, just like our ear canals, are designed to clean themselves," Dr. Michael Freeman explains to Skincare Hero. "So for most people, leaving them to their own devices is fine, and just cleansing the face is enough." According to Bioré, the human body is designed to remove unwanted substances, including sebum plugs.

Of course, some untreated blackheads may cause you more problems than others. A stubborn, untreated one may obtain a buildup of bacteria and become inflamed. If left alone this type of blackhead may turn into a large, swollen pimple that is painful to the touch. That is why it is important to, at a minimum, wash your face twice a day with a mild cleanser appropriate for your skin type.