Deep Blackheads: Causes, Preventions, and Treatment

By Catherine Jordan

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Deep blackheads are a problem that many people suffer from. Blackheads can be painful, embarrassing, and difficult to treat. They’re caused by clogged pores which trap oil and dirt in the skin’s surface. This causes the pore to swell up with bacteria and sebum (the natural oils your skin produces).

Fortunately, there are ways you can prevent deep blackheads from forming on your face or body. You should avoid touching your face as much as possible – especially when you have dirty hands!

If you do touch your face, wash it thoroughly afterwards with soap and water or an alcohol-free cleanser like La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo Dual Action Acne Treatment.

This guide includes everything you need to know about deep blackheads including their various causes, preventative measures, and treatments to get rid of them. Read on to find all your questions answered!

Why Are Deep Blackheads Different?

Blackheads are a skin condition that affects many people. When the pore is open and exposed to air, it oxidizes and turns black. They can last years.

Blackheads form when sebum – natural oil in your skin – and dead skin cells clog up the opening of the hair follicle on your face, back, neck, chest or shoulders.

It’s often hard to tell whether you have deep or surface blackheads without the help of a professional, but there are some clues.

1. On the Face

If they look like flat dark spots rather than round bumps under the skin (the latter usually indicates whiteheads), then you probably have deep blackheads that require professional extraction.

2. On the Back

Deep blackheads on the back are usually accompanied by very oily skin. So, if you find excessive oils on your back, this might indicate that you might be having deep blackheads.

3. Neck

Deep blackheads on your neck tend to be isolated and only affect the area right around the collarbone. They also won’t move like typical blackheads do when you stretch your skin.

4. Chest and Shoulders

The deep blackheads that show up around the chest and shoulders often look like tiny clusters of grapes or little bumps that resemble acne, rather than dark spots under the surface of your skin.

Read More: A Guide to Choose the Best Face Wash for Large Pores

How Do Deep Blackheads Form?

Blackheads aren’t dangerous, but they can cause a lot of damage if left alone long enough, so it’s best to get professional help with extraction as quickly as possible.

There are a few steps that should be taken to properly remove a deep blackhead. The first thing you need to do is use a sterile needle to break the pore wall and allow the sebum to drain properly.

You can then finish by extracting any leftover debris with an extraction tool or comedone extractor, which is usually curved at one end for better accuracy.

Professional Extraction of Deep Blackheads

Professional extraction of deep blackheads is the best course of action if they are interfering with your life. It can be very challenging to remove these stubborn blemishes at home, and this method is often more expensive than other options.

A licensed esthetician or dermatologist is capable of extracting these deeply embedded blemishes quickly and successfully, without scarring the skin in any way.

Other Professional Options

1. Chemical Peels

These treatments are usually administered by a qualified esthetician or dermatologist. With chemical peels, it takes years off the appearance of your skin by removing old layers of dead cells on the surface.

Chemical peels are safe if done properly; however, there is always some level of risk involved. There are various chemical peels available, but if you have acne-prone skin, it is recommended that you avoid the TCA peel.

TCA stands for trichloroacetic acid; this type of chemical peel removes layers of skin to reveal the brighter layer below. While effective for smoothing out wrinkles and fighting sun damage, TCA can make your acne worse if it isn’t applied properly.

2. Microdermabrasion

Microdermabrasion involves using an instrument with fine crystals (similar to sandpaper) to remove old skin cells without touching the sensitive new skin underneath.

This leaves your skin smooth and polished. This treatment is generally recommended to treat acne, including blackheads.

3. Light Therapy

This treatment uses a special light source to kill the bacteria that causes acne. If you have moderate or mild acne, this can prove to be very helpful.

Your doctor may prescribe antibiotics along with blue/red LED light treatments, which are administered over several weeks.

Deep Blackheads Under Skin

One possible cause for deep blackheads is hair follicles clogged by dead skin cells and hardened oil (called sebum). As the sebum accumulates in the pore, it hardens in contact with air, creating a clog.

These clogs are called comedones (commonly known as “whiteheads” and “blackheads”).

The size of comedones depends largely on how much pressure is put on them. If left alone, they may disappear in a matter of days without causing any damage to the skin. [1]

Use a Comedone Extractor

These are little more than tweezers with an elegant curve to help you target the area. With one end of the tool inside your pore and the other gripping outside your skin, pull upwards with even pressure to avoid inflicting unnecessary pain or damage.

Use a Vacuum Pore Cleansing Device

These devices are sold in most pharmacies, and have a suction tip that sucks out the bacteria and debris from deep within your pores, reducing the chances of infection or breakouts.

A special filter traps impurities so they don’t enter the air while you’re using it. After use, simply wash your face and pat dry with a clean towel. Follow with some gentle exfoliation and an antibacterial cream to keep bacteria away.

What If The Blackhead Won’t Come Out?

If it does not come out immediately, you can try this method again in a few days.

However, if the blackhead remains embedded deep in your skin after multiple attempts, visit your dermatologist or physician for professional extraction to avoid scarring and damage to the surrounding tissue.

At-Home Removal Techniques for Deep Blackheads

Deep blackheads are difficult to treat, but not impossible. If you have the patience and self-restraint necessary, there are at-home techniques you can try which might help eliminate your deep blackheads.

Other treatment options include making an appointment with a dermatologist or plastic surgeon. Your doctor may prescribe anti-inflammatory medications to reduce redness, swelling, and discomfort during treatment.

How to Prevent Deep Blackheads from Forming

There are many different causes for blackheads including excessive oil production by the skin’s sebaceous glands or dirt or other matter that blocks pores.

It is best to identify the cause of your problem in order for you to effectively prevent it from recurring. You can use a pore strip to remove deep blackheads.

1) Remove the strip from its package and attach one end to your skin. Make sure that it is taut.

2) Gently lift up the opposite end of the strip, pulling your skin taut, until you feel light resistance .

3) Hold for 10 seconds or less, then slowly release the grip on the strip by rolling it down onto itself towards your face.

4) If there are tiny hairs stuck to the adhesive side of the strip, these are likely hair roots, not deep blackheads.

Do not try to pick them out with tweezers immediately after taking off a pore strip; this will only lead to broken hairs and closed pores.

Wait a day or two before trying to remove any tiny hairs from your skin with tweezers so that they can grow out more fully.

5) After removing the strip, rinse your face with lukewarm water and pat dry.

6) You may neutralize a strip after peeling it off by applying a toner or witch hazel-soaked cotton pad to minimize reddening of the skin around the blackhead extraction site.

Read More: A Guide to Choose the Best Microdermabrasion Machines

Takeaway

Although blackheads are difficult to treat, they are not impossible if you have the patience and self-restraint necessary for at-home techniques.

If blackheads reoccur often it is best to visit your dermatologist or physician for professional extraction to avoid scarring and damage to the surrounding tissue.

Preventative measures may also be taken in order to prevent deep blackheads from forming such as taking good care your skin through proper cleansing, avoiding comedogenic products, wearing breathable clothing, exfoliating your skin using a natural exfoliant or loofah sponge, and using medication that contains retinoic acid, tazarotene, adapalene, etc.

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