Peel-off Masks

If you have been lurking on the skincare side of the internet, chances are you’ve encountered videos of beauty vloggers using peel-off face masks. These masks are usually black or grey and contain charcoal, which is supposed to help purify the skin. These goopy masks are applied on the face and you wait for them to dry for 10 to 15 minutes. After which you pull them off from the bottom up, your whiteheads sticking to the rubbery mask.

While seeing all those whiteheads on the mask sounds very satisfying, frequent use of these masks may damage the skin. These masks not only remove impurities, but they also remove cells from the skin’s outer layer and the natural oils that protect your skin from harmful micro-organisms. And the “whiteheads” that stick to the mask aren’t whiteheads at all but sebaceous filaments, which actually protect the skin against harmful bacteria. 

The good news is that one use doesn’t mean you’ve ruined your skin forever. After 30 days, your skin will replace the oil and sebaceous filaments that were removed, healing itself. But during this period the skin will be a little be more vulnerable, so you may want to switch to a gentle cleanser and add a hydrating, antioxidant-rich product to help the repair process along.

Pore strips

Admit it, using pore strips on the nose can be very satisfying. Especially after removing it, you check the strip and it’s full of gross oil, dirt, and blackheads. Pore strips can be quite successful in cleaning the surface area of the nose, however, there is no evidence that it can stop blackheads from recurring on a regular basis. 

Unfortunately, we’re here to debunk this method. Pore strips are rendered ineffective when it comes to whiteheads since they only work to pull out oils from open pores.

Comedone extractor

A comedone extractor is a small metal tool with a loop at one end. It is often the weapon of choice by pimple extraction channels on the Internet. 

So how does it work? The looped end is placed around the comedo with a firm but gentle pressure. This forces out the fluids and filaments of the comedone without injuring the surrounding skin. It’s simple, but with any other extraction methods, there are rules and preparation that you need to understand to be able to perform it correctly and safely.

First, identify your breakout properly. This tool should only be used on whitehead and blackhead comedones. Serious cases, like cystic acne, should be left to your dermatologists as they can cause major scarring. Second, the comedone extractor should be sterilized. Let it soak in alcohol for a minute to avoid any bacterial infections. Finally, wash your face. A thorough cleanse will remove any bacteria that may be lurking on the surface. The skin should be clean and dry before beginning the extraction process.