Simple Blackhead Removal

Here's the thing: blackheads are not going to go away on their own. A blackhead is an accumulation of dirt and oil, stuck in a pore, so it's basically sitting there until you take it out (or until it gets old enough to fall out on its own, which could take a very long time).

Here's what you can do do to get rid of blackheads on your nose and make sure they don't come back. This is basically what an aesthetician would do if you want to get a professional facial.

The Great Nose Blackhead Extraction Project

You will need:

--Boiling water (for steaming purposes)
--Soap (for cleaning your face and hands)
--A tool for removing blackheads (no fingernails-- too much bacteria! Scars!)

If you've acknowledged the fact that you have an ongoing problem with blackheads, prepare for the blackhead extraction by getting all the tools in place (see list above). Probably the most essential part of this is an actual sterile tool for extracting the blemishes-- do NOT USE YOUR FINGERNAILS, even if you wrap them in toilet paper. The reason for this is bacteria-- look, your face is already prone to trapping bacteria in its pores, so please, PLEASE do not introduce any more bacteria into the mix by picking around with your fingernails. Seriously-- hold out for a sanitary tool.

OK, here goes!

1. Put water on the stove to boil (teapot is fine).

2. While the water is boiling, take the soap and use it to wash your hands and face. You cannot be too careful!

3. When the water boils, take the towel and put it over your head. Hold your face over the steaming water (not too close!) until you feel your pores start to open up. The more steam the better-- in a professional facial, the "steam" portion of the program can go on for 20-30 minutes. If you want to go a little more high-end than water on the stove, definitely splurge on a facial steamer. You will be using it on a regular basis!

4. Take the blackhead removal tool and carefully use it to extract the blackheads from their pores. Do not press too hard-- after washing and steaming, the blackheads should be ready to come out on their own. Get as many of them as you can-- the small red holes left over will close up on their own in two to three days. Again, do not dig, press hard, or otherwise agitate the blackheads. Gentler is better!

5. When you are finished, wash your hands, face, and the blackhead tool thoroughly.

6. Repeat as necessary. You might also want to start a regular acne program to encourage sloughing of the skin, just to make sure the gunk doesn't build up in your pores again.