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Blemish Extractors: Unnecessary Skin Care and Beauty Products

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Blemish Extractors: Unnecessary Skin Care and Beauty Products

We have written about countless unnecessary skin care products before, but this one pains us the most. As a professional skin care company committed to estheticians and loved by clients for over 25 years, we need you to know how awful blemish extractors are for your skin. There is nothing that can permanently harm your face more than trying to perform your own face extractions at home. Using a blackhead blemish extractor is a one-way ticket to scarring, infection and even more breakouts.

Blemish Extractors: How to use a blackhead extractor

The answer to how to use a blemish extractor is simple: Don't use one.

"While it may be tempting, please leave extractions to the experts!" – Laura Kania, Licensed Esthetician, Snips SpaSalon

Blemish extractors (sometimes called 'blackhead extractors', 'whitehead extractors' or 'metal extractors') are tools with metal loops that squeeze the skin to extract impactions. Some versions even include a pointed lance to pierce and break the skin.

We cannot stress enough how harmful these can be to your face and skin. Trying to "pop" zits or breakouts on your own is a bad idea, and using a metal blackhead extractor only makes it worse.

"Just because you can buy an extractor tool on Amazon does not make it a safe or helpful choice. Save your money and your skin. Don't try this at home!" –Kania

Stick to using the best skin care products for acne – extractions should only be performed by a licensed esthetician. Here's why:

No pore is safe

Let's put it this way, most skin care pros don't even use metal extractors. Why? Because they are dangerous.

They dent in the skin and have no "give," meaning they can push dirt and debris further into the pore, causing infections and even more breakouts. The very last thing you should do to your skin is stick a lance in it.

If a pore is closed, it is closed for a reason! Poking holes in your skin will only cause it to scar or become infected.

"At-home extractions, especially when done with extractor tools, may harm the skin and worsen acne. And while you may not like the look or feel of a clogged pore, it is preferable to injury. In extreme cases, wounds caused by at-home extractions can lead to post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) and scarring." –Kania

Some extractors come with instructions like: "for easier removal, first steam your face."  We'll be clear with you about this – there is absolutely no way you can steam your skin at home that will prepare your pores for extraction. Your shower will not come close. Hovering over a pot of boiling water won't, either.

Only through a professional facial will your skin be prepped and steamed correctly for extractions – by the hands of a trained, licensed esthetician. No metal extractors required.

"When your esthetician performs extractions during a Bioelements facial, your skin has been adequately prepped in multiple ways to soften debris trapped within your pores.

Skin that has not been adequately prepped for extractions may be resistant, requiring more pressure and manipulation. If used too aggressively, the pressure of the extractor tool can inflame and even bruise the skin.

Additionally, your esthetician is well-practiced in gentle and efficient movements to maximize results while minimizing potential harm." –Kania

For even more reasons on why you should leave your extractions to the professionals, read this helpful guide.

How to get rid of blackheads and breakouts

If you suffer from chronic acne, then you need to cleanse and tone twice daily with Spotless Cleanser and Acne Toner and moisturize with Beyond Hydration or Oxygenation.

Do you have an at-home pimple emergency, but no time to see a professional?

If you're acne-prone, take 15 minutes to put your breakout in its place with an Amino Mask. Applied all over or just on select pimples, this sulfur-packed mask will remove excess oils, gently exfoliate, and penetrate your pores to reduce acne pimples.

If you only have the occasional pimple, a treatment targeted at acne might not be right for you. Instead, reach for a benzoyl peroxide serum to spot treat troublesome areas.

Still struggling with congestion and blackheads below your skin? Skin Editor and Kerafole can help purge all impurities out of your skin.

Skin Editor is an imperfection-editing leave on AHA peel creme that targets congestion while working to smooth rough and bumpy texture, diminish dullness, brighten dark damage, improve clarity + color, hydrate, and reduce the look of lines.

Kerafole is a 10-minute tingling face mask that purges blackheads and reveals fresh, radiant skin with natural exfoliators. Perform the Kerafole Purge by applying this mask seven days consecutively for a total purge of impurities and a jumpstart for sluggish skin.

To keep acne at bay long term, you need to follow the right daily routine in addition to spot treatments.


4 Responses

Kate
Kate

Thank you! This has been so helpful. Years ago I was using an extraction tool but threw it out. Recently I purchased a new one and I was quickly reminded why I threw the first one out. I’ve been having a terrible time since I started using it. Far worse than the blackheads I was trying to remove :( I have a few spots that are infected and I even bruised my chin! I’ve really made a mess. I’ll be throwing this tool out as well. I too end up with a peeling nose after using it, which only traps more blackheads underneath all of that dry skin! It’s become a never-ending battle. I hope the marks I’ve made don’t scar :( I’m going to give my face a rest and pamper the hell out of it now! Again… thank you! So glad I’ve found this! ~Kate

Rachael
Rachael

Also extractors shouldn’t be used just to extract oil and dirt from pores especially around nose. It’s satisfying at first but the next day I always end up with severe dry skin and peeling and it never helps my skin look or feel better.

Teresa Stenzel
Teresa Stenzel

The problem with doing it yourself (and if you’ve had no problems or infections, I’m really relieved), is that when the skin has a raised red pimple, especially one that is hard or has a white head with a red ring around is that infection is already present within the pore. Causing pressure by squeezing your fingers together at home can cause pain, push the infection deeper into the skin, and even rupture the pore underneath the skin. Licensed professionals go through several steps in the treatment room to ensure the skin and cellular debris is softened, and then if it’s appropriate, the blackhead is removed. However, as a rule, we leave the red, raised and infected ones alone and just treat them topically. This blog is here to educate people on the reasons why we recommend not doing it yourself (and to offer the right solutions). Extractors can do damage, and lead to more problems down the road, including scarring. Thanks for your comments!

jen
jen

November 13, 2018

I tore my, face up trying to use this thing , my nose hurts so bad, the skin peeled right off of it. It burns too. I will never experiment with one ever again. Anyone have any tip to ease the discomfort and repair my nose?? Please help if you can be

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