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The internet is having a moment with any sort ofblackhead removalhello, Dr. Pimple Popper.
Deux / Getty
It’s so satisfyingly gross.
Recently, this online obsession started to invade my offline life.
The two key points to their inquiry: Is it safe and does it work?
Courtesy of Emily Rekstis
To be honest, I didn’t know the answer.
And those that did get the green light, I put to the test.
Check out which hacks worked, which ones didnt, and which were too questionable to even test.
Courtesy of Emily Rekstis
This hack has been making its rounds on the internet for quite some time.
But both dermatologists I spoke to advised against this one.
It may also clog your pores causing more blackheads.
Baking soda is no magic potion either.
Verdict: Not worth it.
While extractions could potentially help clear blackheads, DIY attempts can be very harmful to the skin.
An improper extraction can cause redness, irritation, and maybe even scarring.
It may be a great option if you are struggling with dry skin, Shah says.
However, applying Vaseline to the skin may actually promote the development of clogged pores and acne.
Which is, of course, exactly the opposite of the point.
I tried: Egg white and paper towel pore strips
This is another one of those pore strip alternatives.
Egg whites have astringent and exfoliating properties, explains Shah.
Theyre also rich in protein, vitamins, and minerals, which can benefit the skin.
This means overall brighter results.
While it is mostly safe, you should be aware that raw egg can sometimes contain the bacteria salmonella.
However, asSELF reported before, the chances of this are unlikely.
Start by beating and stirring the egg white in a bowl until it’s frothy.
Then, paint the egg white onto blackhead-affected areas (typically the nose and chin).
Let this dry for about half an hour, then peel up and off.
Rinse your face when finished to remove any excess egg residue.
My experience:When I started applying the egg white to my skin, it was kind of runny.
The second layer of egg white smoothed everything down and adhered all the layers together.
The DIY sheet mask was comfortable to wear and didnt smell like much of anything.
I left it on for about 40 minutes.
The paper towel dried very hard, kind of like papier-mache.
She was pretty on the money.
But there were hesitations from the doctors end.
I decided to go ahead with the DIY mask anyway, and, well, read on for howthatwent.
Then, quickly, apply the mixture to the face.
Once the mask has driedwhich takes about 15 minutesyou can peel off.
My experience:Holy painful.
I was aware after speaking with Shah that it was going to hurt a bit while peeling off.
But, boy, did I overestimate my pain tolerance.
The concoction was really quick and easy to make and stuck to the skin for simple program.
However, unflavored gelatin stinks!
And while applying the stinky goop to my face was easy enough, pulling it off was another story.
It dried holding my skin in place without any give.
I couldnt move my mouth past a certain point.
Think about how a clay mask dries, except there’s no cracking to loosen the mask.
After about 15 minutes of drying, I carefully and slowly pulled it off.
My roommate was taking pictures and cheering me onJust tear it off fast!
It was extra painful when the gelatin started pulling up baby hairs around my jaw (ouch!).
So once I peeled off my chin and nose area, I chickened out and rinsed off the rest.
My face started turning so red and I was getting nervous.
While painful, it sure did work.
Every pore was completely cleared out and empty of any dark dirt.
And although my face was pretty red after, the redness cleared up after about 10 minutes.
I put on a little toner to help cleanse the pores and moisturizer to calm the skin.
It felt smooth, clean, and clear.
Effectivebut not worth it in the end.
Honestly, blackheads just dont bother me enough to go through it again.
And while DIY typically provides a cheaper option, its hard to argue that point in this case.
Especially when, more often than not, it isnt safe for your skin.
They say pain is beauty.
But in my opinion, it shouldnt have to be.
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