Black Head Removing Tool.

Jun 4, 2013

Rebecca N.

So I bought a black head removing tool the other day I followed the instructions but it did nothing! has anyone else used one of these? any tips?

Jun 4, 2013

Emily M.

Yeah I've used one...found it pretty useless. so not with it.

Jun 4, 2013

Emily M.

worth**

Jun 4, 2013

Tracy M.

I also bought one and it to was a waste.

Jun 4, 2013

Jennifer R.

You're probably not using it right. You need to push fairly hard and it might hurt a little.

Jun 4, 2013

Danny C.

I have one and really like it use it after you wash your face with really warm water to open your pores.

Jun 5, 2013

Rebecca N.

Ok thanks girls ill give it another shot :-)

Jun 6, 2013

Brooklyn G.

I would also suggest checking YouTube out and seeing how they push- its not just how hard. I would try and describe how to do it but I'm afraid without video I'd describe it poorly and you'd end up getting a damaging message haha. Try and watch a ton of (especially with gurus- if they use the words milia or comedone it's a good sign) videos as zoomed in as you can find.
The way extractions are done (during professional facials) are usually with that bad boy (official term- comedone extractor) or by the pull and roll technique or a combination of both.
For either you should always steam face first- for doing it to yourself honestly its best to do it post shower preferably, but doing hot water compresses with a washcloth very close to face (so as to minimize irritation) and with some essential oils (I like lavender/ eucalyptus/neroli/frankincense) ;dropped on if you wanna be fancy :) breathe in and relax to enjoy it because you're probably about to experience some pains. Do a few 30 second steams and then you're good to go :)
Try to minimize how much you touch your face so you aren't just redistributing the gunk around- its just pure bacteria and it'll lead to secondary infection and you'll have bigger issues popping up pretty soon.
Wearing doctor gloves is great but don't touch anything else or you're spreading stuff :) OH and always sterilize the tool before and after using. I suggest cotton balls drenched in toner to wipe it off the face and tool and replace that often (!! be generous with switching to a new ball, now isn't the time to be stingy with them) throughout the process.
The process (especially with the extractor) is pretty irritating to skin on its own, so we try to minimize any other bits that we can. Use a non-alcoholic toner (also not rose water, citrusy, etc), take your time, try to stick to a rule of not pushing more than twice for one blemish, steam again every so often, etc. We steam because it makes our pores open, yeah, but also for the gunk inside to soften and ensure that you're getting it all out- not just busting it and having the deeper bits stay deep in the follicle and lead to secondary infection.
In order: clean face with the gentlest cleanser you can get your hands on (milk is a nice DIY option!), steam, extract, I personally like to steam before the very important follow up with a soothing mask (clay based if you have oily skin, gel/cream if normal/dry), and then wash off with gentle cleanser and washcloth, last dab of toner (can add a bit of olive oil with a drop or two of tea tree oil for clarifying and a blemish treatment but only at the end- too irritating to add to those cotton balls from before) applied when face is almost dry from washing, moisturize (NO retinols please) and BA boom :)
There's my long rant but it's so worth being done right but tons of opportunities to be done wrong. Wouldn't suggest more than once a week, and be very gentle the next 24 hours with your face. I like to do mine the night before I have a day I'm not doing anything- can be generous with the moisturizer and I won't have to do makeup or w/e the next day where my skin might still be a bit inflamed or red anyways. :)