How do you deal with blackheads on your nose? Do you use a blackhead extractor, squeeze them with your hands, or use nose strips to pull them out? These methods can only temporarily remove superficial blackheads, and if not done properly, can cause more blackheads to form and damage the skin. So let's stop using incorrect methods to remove blackheads!
1. Squeezing blackheads easily pushes bacteria and skin flakes into the pores
People who are troubled by blackheads may have tried this method. It may seem like a good idea to squeeze out all the sebum and oil, making the skin feel cleaner. However, this "squeezing" action can pose a significant health risk. Doctors warn that while squeezing blackheads may help remove sebum and oil, it can also push bacteria, dirt, and other contaminants from the outside into the pores, leading to infection and worsening conditions like blackheads and acne.
2. Baking soda is too harsh for the skin
Some online sources claim that blackheads are acidic and baking soda is alkaline, so when they react, the blackheads dissolve and can be easily removed. However, baking soda, as a weak alkaline solution, cannot dissolve blackheads through neutralization or saponification reactions. In addition, human skin is naturally neutral, and baking soda is alkaline. Applying it directly to the face can cause harm to the skin. Some people have very sensitive skin and may experience adverse reactions when exposed to acidic or alkaline substances.
3. Be careful with acne needles to avoid redness and inflammation
Using an acne needle to forcefully extract blackheads may be effective in the short term, but it can quickly lead to a rebound effect and increase the risk of bacterial infections. Don't assume that the more painful the scraping with the acne needle, the cleaner the skin. Feeling pain is not a normal phenomenon. It is because the scraping damages the skin's epidermis, enlarges the pores, and disturbs the blackheads. However, enduring such pain does not lead to the disappearance of blackheads, but rather inflammation, redness, enlarged pores, and even more severe blackheads.
4. Massaging with salt or sugar is just a psychological comfort
This method is similar to exfoliation, and it only works on the surface. The principle is to use the granules of salt or sugar to massage the skin and remove excess sebum and oil. However, it does not exert enough force to pull out the blackheads hidden deep in the pores.
5. Regular use of peel-off nose strips can damage the pores
Ripping off a nose strip and seeing all the blackheads attached to it may feel satisfying, but you might notice that the strip becomes less effective over time and the blackheads even increase. This is due to two reasons. First, the peel-off strip has already damaged the pores. Second, there was no pore-shrinking treatment after using the strip. It's better to consider using other methods or make sure to properly prepare the skin and shrink the pores after using peel-off strips.
