While the urge to pop those pesky dark dots can feel almost irresistible, restraint is your best friend here.
Born from pores becoming blocked with sebum and debris, blackheads respond well to various treatments you’ll find on the shelves of any drugstore.
With the proper approach and a handful of straightforward techniques, you can achieve clear, blackhead-free skin.
Keep Up with Regular Exfoliation
Scrubbing your skin a few times each week using an exfoliating wash serves as a preventive strategy that clears away debris, sebum, and shed skin cells from your skin’s surface. By doing this, you stop these troublemakers from building up and blocking your pores—the very thing that causes blackheads to appear. Store-bought products containing tiny scrubbing beads can even work to dissolve existing blackheads, making them far less noticeable. If you prefer a DIY approach, combine 4 tablespoons of baking soda with 1 teaspoon of warm water until you’ve created a paste suitable for facial exfoliation.
Try Pore-Cleansing Strips
For blackheads that have settled in deep, apply a pore strip to damp skin and allow it to harden. Once several minutes pass, peel it away along with the gunk that’s been clogging your pores. These strips work by gently pulling out the dead skin cells and oil trapped beneath the surface. You’ll find them at nearly any pharmacy—just make sure you read and follow the package directions for the best results.
Turn to Retinoids
Retinoids are creams that come from vitamin A. These potent formulas encourage your skin to shed dead cells more effectively, which keeps pores clear and stops acne and blackheads from developing. You can pick up retinoid products over the counter at many retailers, though stronger versions need a dermatologist’s prescription. Don’t be surprised if your skin becomes somewhat dry and flaky during the initial few weeks of application.
Consider Professional Microdermabrasion
When you’re dealing with stubborn blackheads that won’t budge despite using pore strips or retinoid creams, it’s worth talking to a dermatologist about in-office microdermabrasion. This treatment combines strong suction with gentle mechanical scrubbing to strip away the topmost layers of dead skin using crystal-like particles. It’s effective at extracting deeply lodged dirt, oil, and bacteria while unveiling smoother, more radiant skin underneath.
By now, you should have a solid understanding of how to eliminate blackheads from your ear.