By Kaleigh Fasanella, Teen Vogue
We'll admit it: There's something about removing blackheads that, like popping pimples, proves incredibly addicting. And we're definitely not the only ones who can attest that the process of extracting gross gunk from your pores has an odd, but undeniably satisfying effect. Not only is it so tempting to go to town on our own blackheads, but watching others dislodge debris from their own skin is just as, if not more, weirdly satisfying. Maybe that's why there are so many mind-blowing blackhead-removal-methods floating around the Internet right now.
[post_ads]From "skin gritting" to flossing — yes, you read that right — blackhead removal techniques are taking an interesting turn, and the latest approach is no exception. Enter the blackhead tweezer, which if you're wondering, is exactly what it sounds like: a pair of super-sharp tweezers used to extract the excess grossness hanging around in your pores. Unlike the classic brow tool you're used to, these tweezers curve upwards at the very end to make it easier to pluck whatever's sitting on the surface of your skin. If you're having trouble picturing how exactly the process goes down, don't worry, there's a video that shows all the nitty gritty (and quite honestly, grotesque) details. Found on Facebook — no surprise here — the clip shows the tool puncturing the skin slightly and swiftly removing the blackhead bits at hyper-speed.
While this tool might look alarmingly sharp and could certainly do damage if not used properly, it's actually a more apt alternative to using your fingers, which don't always effectively target the actual blackhead and can cause scarring if it ruptures internally. Racked spoke with experts — dermatologists Dr. Neal Schultz and Dr. Sandra Lee, as well as esthetician Renee Rouleau — about the process.
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While Dr. Schultz stands behind it because he says you're less likely to do damage with it than you are with your fingers, Renee remained wary because she believed the video to be misleading. "In theory, those are blackheads because you can see the black tip, but that's just the opening of the pore where it has oxidized,” she said. "You’ll notice that there's kind of a whiteish circle around it, meaning these are closed comedones," she added, which are apparently larger and easier to remove.
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She goes on to explain that most blackheads would be much more difficult to get out than what's shown in the video.As for Dr. Lee — AKA Dr. Pimple Popper — she was so intrigued by the tool that she purchased one for herself. All in all, the experts agreed on one thing: prepping your skin properly. It's crucial to clean your face, hands, and of course, the tool, before subjecting your skin to the procedure. You can also steam your face to soften the skin and blackheads beforehand to make the extractions more seamless. The takeaway? While these "blackhead tweezers"will get the job done with correct use and care, it's always a good idea to be extra careful when using a new tool on your skin.
More from Teen Vogue
[post_ads]From "skin gritting" to flossing — yes, you read that right — blackhead removal techniques are taking an interesting turn, and the latest approach is no exception. Enter the blackhead tweezer, which if you're wondering, is exactly what it sounds like: a pair of super-sharp tweezers used to extract the excess grossness hanging around in your pores. Unlike the classic brow tool you're used to, these tweezers curve upwards at the very end to make it easier to pluck whatever's sitting on the surface of your skin. If you're having trouble picturing how exactly the process goes down, don't worry, there's a video that shows all the nitty gritty (and quite honestly, grotesque) details. Found on Facebook — no surprise here — the clip shows the tool puncturing the skin slightly and swiftly removing the blackhead bits at hyper-speed.
[post_ads_2]
While Dr. Schultz stands behind it because he says you're less likely to do damage with it than you are with your fingers, Renee remained wary because she believed the video to be misleading. "In theory, those are blackheads because you can see the black tip, but that's just the opening of the pore where it has oxidized,” she said. "You’ll notice that there's kind of a whiteish circle around it, meaning these are closed comedones," she added, which are apparently larger and easier to remove.
[post_ads_2]
She goes on to explain that most blackheads would be much more difficult to get out than what's shown in the video.As for Dr. Lee — AKA Dr. Pimple Popper — she was so intrigued by the tool that she purchased one for herself. All in all, the experts agreed on one thing: prepping your skin properly. It's crucial to clean your face, hands, and of course, the tool, before subjecting your skin to the procedure. You can also steam your face to soften the skin and blackheads beforehand to make the extractions more seamless. The takeaway? While these "blackhead tweezers"will get the job done with correct use and care, it's always a good idea to be extra careful when using a new tool on your skin.
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