Is It Okay to Remove Blackheads at Home?

Blackheads — those little dark dots that typically can be found on your nose, forehead, or chin — are a common skin care concern shared by people of all ages. No matter how diligent you are with your skin care routine, there’s still a chance that those undesirable black spots could pop up. It raises the question of how one should go about trying to remove blackheads. We’ve all been tempted to squeeze a blackhead once or twice, maybe even acted on it but there are better ways to manage them.

Below, we’re sharing everything you need to know about blackheads, including what causes them, how to reduce your chances of getting them, whether or not you should remove them on your own, plus a skin care routine for preventing blackheads. Consider this your ultimate guide to blackheads.

Before delving into skin care products to help address and manage blackheads, it’s important to understand why people get blackheads. According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), blackheads can be a sign of a mild form of acne.

Should You Remove Blackheads at Home?

We need to clear up one common misconception about managing this particular complexion concern — you shouldn’t attempt to remove, pop, squeeze, or get rid of blackheads on your own (and steer clear of all blackhead removal tools). While blackhead extraction may be tempting, this can result in irritation, redness, and even scarring. If you have a blackhead to remove, save it for your dermatologist or esthetician.

Instead, your focus should be on achieving the appearance of clearer skin with a solid skin care routine. When it comes to managing and preventing blackheads, it’s about aligning your skin care routine with the proper maintenance so it can reduce the buildup that leads to blackheads.

Via: L'Oréal