We’ve decided that it’s human nature to want to pick, poke, and prod a breakout. Especially when it looks like it’s time to be popped, we’re armed and ready to squeeze it for all it’s worth until it (hopefully) no longer exists. What we’re often left with, however, are pockmarks and scars. But when extraction tools came on the scene, it seemed like the market was trying to tell us that picking at a pimple would be okay—so long as we did it with the double-edged metal tool. Ever the beauty skeptics, we decided to turn to experts Heather Wilson and Dr. Carl Thornfeldt to get their take on this blemish removal method.
MEET THE EXPERT
- Heather Wilson is an esthetician and the director of brand development at InstaNatural.
- Carl Thornfeldt, MD, is a dermatologist and founder of Epionce Skin Care.
Keep scrolling to read their thoughts on using acne extraction tools.
What Are Acne Extraction Tools?
Acne extraction tools (a.k.a. comedone extractors) treat comedonal acne, a common and non-inflammatory type of acne, by removing blemishes. They typically consist of a small metal rod with a hook or loop at the end that is used to extract whiteheads (closed comedones) and blackheads via gentle squeezing, tweezing, or piercing.
Risks and Challenges
Although you can pretty much find and buy acne extraction tools anywhere, that doesn’t necessarily mean that you should. “The use of an extraction tool by a trained, licensed professional is generally safe. However, the ability for anyone to purchase an extraction tool has increased in recent years. Consumers can purchase extraction tools of all kinds at many mass retailers, but that does not mean at-home use of them is recommended,” says Wilson. Using them incorrectly will do more harm than good.
For instance, improper use of an extraction tool can damage the skin (think: scarring, bruising, and capillary damage), she explains. And not only that, but it may also drive bacteria deeper into the skin, causing a breakout to become even worse. Thornfeldt notes, “Misuse of the device itself, using a device with a poorly designed structure, and deep rupturing of the lesion, which induces a severe inflammatory response,” as three reasons why damage typically occurs from using extraction tools at home.
The thing is, even if you think you can remove a whitehead’s contents without a hitch, it’s easier said than done. “A major difficulty is the proper alignment of the device to the skin contour and shape,” comments Thornfeldt. For best results, he recommends having extractions performed in-office by your dermatologist, cosmetic physician, or esthetician.
Read more: byrdie.com
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Also read: Pimple Popping – Why A Dermatologist Should Only Do It
