When it comes to treating blackheads in the long run, refrain from using nose strips. The glue in the strips to suck up the heads, as Dr. Shetty points out (via Vogue), can trigger allergic reactions, cause the pores to continue staying open, and cause more blackheads to form. To remove blackheads manually, buy a comedone blackhead extractor. For a start, rinse your face thoroughly and put a warm washcloth on the affected area to open up the pores to help dislodge the blackheads easily. A facial steamer also works wonders in loosening up your pores. As for extractors, small wire loops, advises dermatologist Marisa Garshick (via Shape), are a better option for removing blackheads because they don’t inflict excessive force on the affected area. Bigger loops can be used for larger breakouts.

After disinfecting your extractor with alcohol and boiling it, place the wire loop around the blackhead and press gently to extract the dead skin and sebum that’s clogging the pore. If blood comes out, stop the degunking process. When the blackhead is too close to another swollen pimple, don’t pop it lest you exacerbate the surrounding infected area. If the blackhead doesn’t ease up easily, use the sharp point on the other end of the extractor (with extra caution) to pierce through the pore and release the clogged content. The ultimate goal is to remove blackheads without damaging your skin, so know when to stop. If you’re having a severe acne breakout and trying to remove lots of blackheads, you might want to check with your dermatologist for advice first or get help from skin care professionals.

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Originally Appeared Here