They are big, they are black, and everyone gets them. Say hello to the dreaded blackhead, an open hair follicle on the skin filled with a blackened mass of skin debris, bacteria and oil. Many people attempt to extract blackheads on their own, but it is important to do so with caution as you do not want to damage your skin. Blackheads are considered the first stage of acne, forming before bacteria can invade the skin. Later on, they can develop into pimples. A facialist is professionally trained to extract blackheads, but if regular visits are too costly for you, you can also carefully extract them at home. Exfoliate your skin on a weekly basis, which will help to unclog pores and remove blackheads. Read 7 Best Face Scrubs for a list of exfoliators that readers swear by. You can also place a hot towel over your face in order to open your pores, and an egg white mask will also help extract blackheads from your pores.

In order to prevent scarring from occurring, you want to be careful not to use your nails or sharp objects when you extract blackheads. You can try using a professional blackhead extractor or a lancet. Dip it in rubbing alcohol, then gently insert the lancet vertically into the pore. Once you have opened up the pore, stick the looped end of the extractor in to pull out the blackhead. Using an extractor will decrease your chances of permanent scarring. If you do not have access to these instruments, you can also use two Q-tips in order to press the sides of the pore together until the debris comes out. For more tips, check out How To Ditch Blackheads For Good for more tips on how to prevent and treat blackheads.