Unless you have amazing self-restraint, you’ve probably popped a pimple at some point in your life. As satisfying as it may be, we also know that it’s one of the worst things you can do to your skin.
But what if there was a way to safely extract your blemishes without harming your skin? That is the idea behind acne extractions, which are usually performed by a licensed esthetician.
Most of us would jump at the chance to skip the esthetician’s office and pop our own zits. But is this practice truly safe?
Here are three of the things you ought to know:
- Acne extractions are only used on certain types of pimples.
- Only a licensed esthetician should perform acne extractions.
- Acne extractions aren’t foolproof and shouldn’t replace your acne treatment system.
What are Acne Extractions?
Acne extractions involve the use of sterile instruments to gently extract blackheads and whiteheads without harming the skin. Although they are generally performed by estheticians, the blemish extractor tool can now be easily found online and used at home.
The extraction process takes time and isn’t cheap, which is why many people are tempted to do it themselves at home. However, we don’t recommend going this route, as using a blemish extractor by yourself can cause permanent damage to your skin.
GOT ACNE?
Why Only a Licensed Esthetician Should Perform Acne Extractions
There are more than a few good reasons why acne extractions are best left to professionals. If you don’t know what you’re doing, there is a good chance that you could wind up doing irreversible damage to your skin. Here is why you don’t want to do your own extractions:
It Only Works on Certain Types of Pimples. If you have deep, painful cystic acne, a blemish extractor will only make things worse. These tools are only meant to be used on whiteheads and blackheads.
There's a Chance of Scarring. Just because you don’t notice the scarring and redness immediately doesn’t mean that you got off scot-free. Blemish extractors can lead to post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and permanently damage the skin tissue if you apply too much pressure.
It Can Spread Bacteria. If you don’t properly sterilize your extractor tool or use it incorrectly, you can spread the bacteria and potentially cause infection.
Professionals Know What They’re Doing. When you squeeze a pimple, you probably squeeze it horizontally. Estheticians know which angle to go at your pimple from, as well as how much pressure should be applied.
A Better Alternative to DIY Acne Extractions
Alright, so doing your own acne extractions is out of the question. But don’t worry, there are plenty of ways to take care of your blemishes without messing up your skin. Check out the following alternatives to extractor tools for clearer, better-looking skin:
Exfoliating Scrub A men’s exfoliating scrub will slough off dead skin cells that clog pores and cause breakouts. Although it’s not as satisfying as popping, the clean and smooth results feel almost as good. Just be careful not to overdo it—we recommend twice a week max for normal skin types.
Acne Products with Salicylic Acid Unlike other acne-fighting ingredients, Salicylic Acid won’t over-dry your skin. A men’s acne cream containing Salicylic Acid can help unclog your pores and prevent future breakouts from occurring. Plus, studies show that it is superior to benzoyl peroxide for acne treatment.
A Daily Skin Care Routine An uncomplicated skin care routine will help remove the temptation of picking by preventing acne in the first place. All you need is four simple products: facial cleanser, facial scrub, morning moisturizer and bedtime moisturizer.
See a Licensed Esthetician If your acne is severe, consider seeing a licensed esthetician. They know how to treat sensitive skin and will use sterilized equipment to reduce your acne safely.
Final Verdict
Acne extractions aren’t safe to do at home and we don’t recommend attempting them. Even professional acne extractions are usually a last-ditch option for clearing up acne after everything else has failed to do the trick. For most guys, a simple acne treatment system for men is the best treatment option.
