How to Get Rid of Blackheads in a Few Days

As an adult, pimples can be bothersome, but blackheads can be even more irritating. Blackheads, small black lumps that break onto your skin, most commonly appear on your nose, which can make it look to others like you don’t wash your face, or on your neck, where they can be extremely irritating. They can appear elsewhere as well. Fortunately, unlike pimples, these types of acne formations, known also as open comedones, can be completely removed. If you do remove your blackheads, you want to be sure to use the right technique so as to remove them completely and not harm your skin. To that end, here are some tips on how to get rid of blackheads.

Adult Acne Support: How to Get Rid of Blackheads

If you suffered from acne as a teen, you probably got used to the idea that when it came to pimples, you just had to ride them out, wash your face, and they’d go away eventually. Although there are more advanced treatment for pimples, the reality is you cannot simply remove them. Not so for blackheads. If you know how to get rid of blackheads, you can remove them without too much trouble. As you might guess, it’s important to do this correctly. Here’s the procedure for how to get rid of blackheads.

Blackhead Removal Procedure

You’ll always want to begin by using a quality skin cleanser on the affected area. If you’re someone who suffers from adult acne, you should probably get into the habit of following a regular cleansing regimen. In this case, use of the cleanser should remove any excess skin debris and make removal of the blackheads that much easier. Once you’ve done a thorough cleansing, apply heat to the affected area. You can do this by boiling water and putting the affected area over the steam that rises, spending some time in a closed bathroom with the hot shower running, or if neither of these options are safe or practical, putting a hot towel or compress over the affected area. If you opt for this last option, test the towel to make sure it’s not so hot that it will burn your skin before applying. Whichever method you choose, about five or ten minutes should be time enough to relax the skin and open up the pores so that the blackheads can be safely removed.

The last step is of course, actually removing the blackheads. Some companies offer a scrub that they say you can apply and then simply wipe off the blackheads. Other people prefer to use a blackhead extractor. This is a tool designed specifically to remove blackheads. Sterilize the tool, then place the end with the hole over the blackhead and simply pull the blackhead out gently. You may wish to get a friend, relative or even a professional to help you with this part.

Future Blackhead Problems

Once your blackheads are gone, there’s no guarantee they won’t come back. However, if you practice a good acne control regimen involving a cleanser, a humectant, and benzoyl peroxide, there’s a good chance you won’t see blackheads again. If you do, you can always repeat this procedure.