At some point or another, we all experience the frustration of looking in the mirror and seeing little black dots on our nose, chin, or forehead. Try as you might to get rid of them, blackheads tend to act much like mosquitos: when you kill one, five more pop up for its funeral.
The team of skin specialists at Entre Nous Aesthetics has years of experience helping men and women of all ages and skin types in the Bay Area to address and treat all their concerns, from wrinkles to pigmentation to sun damage and blackheads.
Keep reading to learn more about blackheads and our experts’ advice on how to get rid of them.
Let’s first understand blackheads
The first rule of warfare: know your enemy. We all know what a blackhead looks like, but do you know how they got there in the first place?
The difference between blackheads and pimples
Both classified as acne, blackheads and pimples are simply two different forms of it. These blemishes develop entirely differently and therefore must be treated differently, too.
First, look at the difference in appearance: pimples are a type of inflamed blemish. They typically appear red, swollen, and have a red or white head. Blackheads, however, have a dark or black head and are not swollen or raised—in fact, some could be mistaken for a freckle or appear sunken in the skin.
A blackhead appears when a pore becomes clogged at the skin’s surface rather than deeper in the pore (when you get a whitehead pimple). The oil creates a “plug” at the top of the pore that oxidizes, creating the dark color in the spot you see.
Since blackheads occur at the skin’s surface, dissolution of blackheads is possible without disrupting the surrounding skin and creating scars or risking infection. We have a few at-home tips for how to get rid of blackheads.
Getting rid of blackheads at home
Since we just discussed that blackheads sit at the skin’s surface, the skin specialists in Menlo Park at Entre Nous Aesthetics can tell you that chemical exfoliation is the gentlest way to dissolve blackheads at home.
We recommend consistently using a salicylic acid cleanser (like in the OBAGI Clenziderm Cleanser) followed by the Clenziderm Lotion and Pore Therapy.
If you still have trouble with blackheads, visit us for a consultation! Our skin specialists can walk you through our facial and chemical peel options, plus we can introduce you to our HydraFacial treatment to help you tackle your blackheads once and for all!
Pro tip: It may be tempting, but NEVER do this to get rid of blackheads…
Never, ever, ever squeeze! Picking, scratching, popping, or any other form of physical extraction should be avoided at all costs.
Pore strips and other extraction tools only irritate your skin more—and when placed in the hands of a novice, extraction tools lead to wounds, scars, and chances for dangerous infection.
The golden rule of treating acne at home: know when to stop and seek professional help!
Still frustrated? Talk to our skin specialists in Menlo Park about scheduling a HydraFacial!
If these tips don’t quite do the trick for you, the HydraFacial MD™ is a revolutionary medical-grade device that leaves your skin positively clear and glowing afterward. It’s also the world’s most popular facial treatment!
HydraFacial’s amazing ability to get rid of blackheads lies in the second and third steps of this four-step facial.
After the hydradermabrasion in step one, we apply a gentle glycolic and salicylic acid peel, dissolving the remaining dead skin and getting rid of blackheads. Then, we use a vortex attachment that literally sucks any remaining blackheads right out, along with deeper-stuck oils and dirt.
With regular HydraFacials with our skin specialists, you can eliminate and keep your blackheads at bay.
A complete guide to HydraFacials near you →
Why come to Entre Nous Aesthetics?
Entre Nous Aesthetics is proud to be the premier med spa in the Bay Area. Licensed medical assistants and aestheticians perform all of our consultations and treatments, so you can relax knowing you are in the most skilled and practiced hands in the region.
Dr. Jane Weston, a renowned plastic surgeon, oversees our office and even performs several of our aesthetics treatments herself.
Besides our highly trained skin specialists in Menlo Park, we also invest vast amounts of time, energy, and money in research and continuing education to ensure we offer the best aesthetic care with the latest technology.
Schedule a consultation with our skin specialists in Menlo Park today!
If you feel frustrated by blackheads, acne scars, fine lines and wrinkles, or just want to take better care of your skin, come consult with us at Entre Nous Aesthetics in Menlo Park. We can help!
We can’t wait to help you achieve the healthiest skin of your life with our aesthetic treatments.
