How to Safely Pop Blackheads & Whiteheads with a Comedone Extractor

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Expert advice on extracting zits and keeping pores squeaky clean

Co-authored by Finn Kobler Medically reviewed by Heidi Mesbah

Last Updated: July 12, 2024 Fact Checked

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Disinfecting Your Face

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Using the Acne Tool

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Video

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Expert Q&A

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Tips

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Warnings

Are you breaking out, but don’t have the time or money to go to a dermatologist? Don’t stress. A comedone extractor is a highly effective tool that you can use to seamlessly extract blackheads (and sometimes whiteheads) from your face. Lots of estheticians and doctors endorse comedone extractors as highly effective, affordable, and safe to use.^{[1]
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Go to source} In this article, we’ll offer an expert-approved guide to using a comedone extractor, as well as some skincare tips to ensure you’re dealing with your breakouts hygienically and safely.

Removing Pimples with an Acne Tool

Wash your face with a gentle cleanser and open up your pores with steam. To remove a blackhead, center the tool over the pimple and rock it back and forth while applying pressure. To remove a whitehead, pierce it with a lancet. Then, gently rock the tool over the spot.

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Disinfecting Your Face

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1
Clean your face thoroughly before using the tool. Washing your face twice daily is the most effective way to get clean, clear skin. (Plus, it’s rejuvenating!) If you plan to use an acne removing tool, rinse your face with a gentle acne cleanser and lukewarm water right beforehand so you’re free of any excess bacteria. Then, pat your face dry with a fresh, clean towel.^{[2]
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- Use a cleanser with salicylic acid to help get rid of pimples. Salicylic acid is a moderate natural peeling agent, so it can easily wipe clogged pores clean without any damage to your skin.^{[3]
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- Make sure that you wash your face in the morning, before you go to bed at night, and any time your face gets sweaty.
- Avoid harsh, exfoliating cleansers to prevent irritation, redness, and facial inflammation.^{[4]
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- Do not scrub your face. Just use your fingertips or a gentle cotton washcloth to gently massage the cleanser into your skin. Then, splash water on your face to rinse the cleanser away.
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Use steam to open your pores and make pimples easier to remove. Soften your acne and pimples to make them easier to remove. You can expand your pores by placing a hot, wet towel over your face for 2 to 3 minutes or by taking a hot, steamy shower. You can also use a steam treatment. Just avoid overheating the water as it can burn or redden your skin.^{[5]
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Cleveland Clinic
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- If you’re using a hot towel, don’t scrub too hard. (This can lead to inflammation!) Gently glide the wet fabric across your face. You may need to do this a few times to truly open your pores.
- Even if you don’t have acne, using steam to freshen your pores to prevent future zits and make other skin refreshers more effective.
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Disinfect your hands with soap or wear gloves when using the tool. To prevent bacteria on your hands from coming into contact with your face, disinfect your hands by washing them with antibacterial soap and water. Alternatively, you can wear disposable gloves when using the acne tool.^{[6]
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- Disinfecting your hands will help to prevent infection. This is key with acne, because the presence of bacteria worsens pimples over time.
Before using your acne tool, disinfect each individual pimple so that bacteria doesn’t inadvertently get pushed further into your pores. Use rubbing alcohol pads to dab your blackheads and sterilize them before bringing out your comedone extractor.^{[7]
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Cleveland Clinic
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Part 2

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Using the Acne Tool

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1
Select the right extracting tool for your acne. Look in the mirror to see if your face has blackheads or whiteheads. Blackheads can be directly removed with comedone extractors, whereas whiteheads will need to be pierced with a sharp lancet first. Most acne removal devices come in blackhead remover tool kits. These kits contain several comedone extractors of different shapes, with each extractor having 2 ends of different sizes. Pick the size that best matches the size of the blackheads on your face.^{[8]
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Cleveland Clinic
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- Don’t press too hard with the whitehead lancet. Excessive pressure may lead to scarring.^{[9]
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- Avoid popping too many whiteheads. Using a lancet on more than 1 or 2 can increase your likelihood of infection. If you have more than a few on your face, it’s best to bite the bullet and see a dermatologist.
- To tell the difference between black and whiteheads, look at the color of the pimple’s tip. Blackheads (open comedones) are dark black or brown because the pore has been exposed and gotten oxygen. Whiteheads (closed comedones) are white, because there’s skin blocking the pimple from getting air.^{[10]
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- Both blackheads and whiteheads are totally normal. While blackheads are easier to remove with an extractor, there’s still lots of easy and safe ways to treat whiteheads too.
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Remove blackheads by pressing down with the extractor tool. Center the loop of the comedone extractor over the pimple you want to remove. Then, rock the tool gently from side to side while applying slight pressure. The blackhead in its entirety will be pulled from the follicle and you will see oil ooze from the pore.^{[11]
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- Sterilize the comedone extractor with cotton swabs and rubbing alcohol before using it. Your acne tool can accumulate germs when it sits idle and you don’t want to accidentally introduce more bacteria to your face.^{[12]
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- If the blackhead does not come out with gentle pressure, don’t try to force it. This can lead to infection and scarring. See a dermatologist if you have a severe blackhead that you cannot remove easily.
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Remove whiteheads if you’re experienced using a lancet. If you have experience popping whiteheads, begin by piercing the whitehead with the lancet to break it open. Once the whitehead has been opened, center it within the loop of the comedone extractor and rock the tool gently from side to side, applying slight pressure until it is pulled from the follicle.^{[13]
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- If you have any reservations about using the lancet, see an esthetician who has experience using these types of devices. This way, you’ll avoid any mistakes that could lead to scarring.^{[14]
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Use gauze to treat any bleeding after extracting your pimples. In some cases, your skin may bleed slightly after using the comedone extractor. Lightly pat your skin with gauze to absorb any blood. If you’ve used the extractor correctly, the bleeding should last more than a few moments.^{[15]
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Cleveland Clinic
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- You might have to apply firm pressure for a few seconds or until the bleeding stops.
5
Disinfect all treated areas on your face with rubbing alcohol. To be extra cautious about preventing infection, use additional rubbing alcohol pads to clean your now acne-free skin. In addition, clean and disinfect your acne tool before putting it away. An extra effort toward keeping your face clean will optimize your success at treating your acne.^{[16]
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Mayo Clinic
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- Only use rubbing alcohol pads on your skin. Pure rubbing alcohol may cause additional irritation and redness.^{[17]
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Expert Q&A

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Question

Is it normal if there is reddish swelling in place of the pimple for some time?

Shari Forschen, NP, MA
Family Nurse Practitioner
Shari Forschen is a Registered Nurse at Sanford Health in North Dakota. Shari has worked in healthcare since 1996 and her expertise lies in acute care bedside nursing on a medical oncology floor. She received her degree from Medcenter one College of Nursing in 2003 and her Family Nurse Practitioner Masters from the University of North Dakota in 2014. Shari is a member of the American Nurses Association.

Shari Forschen, NP, MA

Family Nurse Practitioner

Expert Answer

If you have increased swelling redness and inflammation greater than 1-2 days, there might be an infection. If this is the case, see a physician as soon as possible.

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Question

So , do you wash your face first?

Shari Forschen, NP, MA
Family Nurse Practitioner
Shari Forschen is a Registered Nurse at Sanford Health in North Dakota. Shari has worked in healthcare since 1996 and her expertise lies in acute care bedside nursing on a medical oncology floor. She received her degree from Medcenter one College of Nursing in 2003 and her Family Nurse Practitioner Masters from the University of North Dakota in 2014. Shari is a member of the American Nurses Association.

Shari Forschen, NP, MA

Family Nurse Practitioner

Expert Answer

Yes. You should always wash your face before trying to extract blackheads because washing your face removes residual bacteria from the skin's surface.

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Question

Do these tools work effectively for cystic acne?

Shari Forschen, NP, MA
Family Nurse Practitioner
Shari Forschen is a Registered Nurse at Sanford Health in North Dakota. Shari has worked in healthcare since 1996 and her expertise lies in acute care bedside nursing on a medical oncology floor. She received her degree from Medcenter one College of Nursing in 2003 and her Family Nurse Practitioner Masters from the University of North Dakota in 2014. Shari is a member of the American Nurses Association.

Shari Forschen, NP, MA

Family Nurse Practitioner

Expert Answer

Do not treat cystic acne at home. Cystic acne should be cared for by an experienced dermatologist.

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Tips

If the pimples are not extracting easily from the skin or several minutes have passed, steam your face again or use a hot towel to make sure your pores are open enough for easy removal.^{[18]
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Warnings

Never use your fingers to remove acne or pimples. Using your fingers may cause inflammation or infection and will usually cause the pimple to emit pus.

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