Blackheads & Whiteheads Treatment
Tiny dark dots on your nose, or small white bumps that won’t go, however often you wash? Blackheads and whiteheads are pores plugged with oil and dead skin. Blackhead removal at the clinic clears them without squeezing: a HydraFacial lifts them out with suction, and a course of salicylic acid peels keeps pores clear, from about Rs 4,800 a session in a course.
Also known as comedones, open and closed comedones or clogged pores.
Is this you?
- Dark dots on your nose, chin or forehead
- Small white or skin-coloured bumps that don’t come to a head
- Rough, bumpy skin where make-up won’t sit smoothly
- They come back a few weeks after a facial or a pore strip
- Oily skin, with shine by midday
See a doctor first if you also have deep, painful pimples or scars, or breakouts came on suddenly with irregular periods or new facial hair.
What causes blackheads and whiteheads?
- Oil Oily skin fills pores faster, so plugs form more easily.
- Dead skin Cells that don’t shed stick together with oil and block the pore.
- Hormones The teenage years, periods and PCOS raise oil.
- Heavy products Thick creams, oils and heavy make-up can clog pores.
- Heat and humidity Hot weather raises oil and sweat, so pores block more in summer.
How we treat blackheads and whiteheads, step by step
- Quick cleanStep 1 · Quick cleanHydraFacialGentle suction lifts blackheads out of the pores without squeezing, and serums soothe the skin, with no downtime. Rs 6,995.
- One visit; monthly for upkeep
- None: back to work the same day
Rough, oily skinStep 2 · Rough, oily skinHD Glow FacialA deep cleanse and a light peel loosen oil and dead cells in the pores. From about Rs 4,900 a session in a course of 3.- One visit; monthly to keep the glow
- Little: redness for a few hours
Keep coming backStep 3 · Keep coming backSalicylic Acid PeelSalicylic acid dissolves into oil and clears the plugs inside the pores over 3–6 peels. From about Rs 4,800 a session in a course of 3.- 3–6 peels, 2–4 weeks apart
- Mild flaking for a few days
Free consultation
Not sure which one suits you?
A doctor checks your skin and goals, then tells you honestly what will work, and what won’t. No obligation.
Meet our 48 doctorsWe usually reply within 15 minutes.
What results to expect
Blackhead removal works quickly but needs upkeep. Skin looks clearer after one HydraFacial, because the plugs are lifted out, and usually feels less oily within a week of the first salicylic peel. Peels keep working through the course: in a study of 50 people with mild to moderate acne, a salicylic acid or TCA peel every two weeks for 12 weeks clearly cut the number of blackheads, whiteheads and pimples.
The honest limit: your pores keep making oil, so blackheads come back without upkeep. A monthly HydraFacial or peel, and a salicylic acid cleanser at home, keep them away.
Sources
- Efficacy and safety of 25% trichloroacetic acid peel versus 30% salicylic acid peel in mild-to-moderate acne vulgaris: a comparative study
- Salicylic acid as a peeling agent: a comprehensive review
- Efficacy and tolerability of HydraFacial Clarifying Treatment series in the treatment of active acne vulgaris
- American Academy of Dermatology: Acne: diagnosis and treatment
- American Academy of Dermatology: Acne skin care tips
Caring for your skin at home
- Wash twice a day with a gentle cleanser; scrubbing harder irritates the skin without clearing pores.
- Use a salicylic acid (BHA) cleanser a few times a week: it dissolves into oil and clears pores.
- Choose oil-free products: moisturiser, sunscreen and make-up marked “non-comedogenic”.
- Take make-up off every night before bed.
- Don’t squeeze or use pins: it can push the plug deeper, cause a pimple and leave a mark.
- Pore strips only lift the top of the plug, so blackheads soon come back.
Blackheads and whiteheads: your questions answered
Straight answers from our doctors to what people ask most about blackheads and whiteheads.
Choosing a treatment 6
01What is the best treatment for blackheads?
For most people, a HydraFacial for a quick clean plus a course of salicylic acid peels to keep pores clear.
A HydraFacial lifts blackheads out with suction in one visit, with no downtime, and salicylic acid peels dissolve the oil inside pores, so fewer plugs form. If pimples come too, your doctor adds an acne plan.
02What is the difference between blackheads and whiteheads?
Both are clogged pores; the difference is whether the pore is open.
A blackhead is an open pore whose plug darkens in the air, so it isn’t dirt and scrubbing won’t wash it away. A whitehead is closed over, so it stays white or skin-coloured and is harder to clear at home. Both respond to the same treatments.
03How do I get rid of whiteheads?
Whiteheads (closed comedones) clear best with treatments that work inside the pore.
A salicylic acid peel loosens the plug, and the light peel in the HD Glow Facial helps the skin shed. Don’t try to pop them, because squeezing can turn them into pimples. Some people also need a prescription retinoid cream from the doctor.
04Do pore strips, scrubs or home remedies work for blackheads?
Not for long.
Pore strips pull off only the top of the plug, and scrubs, lemon, toothpaste or baking soda irritate the skin without clearing the pore. A salicylic acid cleanser used a few times a week does help mild blackheads. If they keep coming back, a clinic treatment clears them more thoroughly.
05Is blackhead removal different for men?
The treatments are the same, but men’s skin is often oilier, so blackheads on the nose and around the beard can need more regular visits.
HydraFacial for men works around the beard with no downtime before work, and a salicylic peel also helps razor bumps. Prices are the same for men and women.
06Where can I get blackhead removal near me?
Blackhead removal is available at all 12 Cutera Aesthetics clinics, at the same price in every city.
We have clinics in Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Faisalabad, Hyderabad and Sialkot, with female doctors at each one. Find your nearest clinic, or message us on WhatsApp and we’ll book your free consultation at the one closest to you.
Cost & results 2
07How much does blackhead removal cost in Pakistan?
Blackhead removal starts at about Rs 4,800 a session for a salicylic acid peel in a course of 3 (Rs 14,388), or Rs 5,995 for one peel.
A HydraFacial is Rs 6,995, and the HD Glow Facial Rs 6,995, or Rs 14,690 for three. Prices are the same at all 12 clinics, the consultation is free, and any current offer is explained at the clinic.
08How many sessions will I need, and will blackheads come back?
Usually 3–6 salicylic peels, 2–4 weeks apart, or a monthly HydraFacial.
Skin looks clearer after the first visit and keeps improving through the course. Blackheads come back when pores refill with oil, so most people keep a monthly HydraFacial or peel and use a salicylic acid cleanser at home.
Safety & recovery 2
09Does blackhead extraction hurt, and is there downtime?
No, it is comfortable for most people.
HydraFacial suction feels like a light vacuum and leaves no marks, so you go straight back to your day. A salicylic peel tingles for a few minutes and may flake lightly for a few days. Treatment waits over sunburn, broken skin or recent isotretinoin.
10Can squeezing blackheads damage my skin?
Yes, it can.
Pressing with fingers or pins can push the plug deeper, turn it into a pimple and leave a dark mark or a small scar. At the clinic, suction or a peel loosens the plug so it comes out without force. If you already have marks, see our acne scars treatment.
اردو میں خلاصہ
بلیک ہیڈز اور وائٹ ہیڈز مسام میں تیل اور مردہ جلد جمع ہونے سے بنتے ہیں۔ بلیک ہیڈ میں مسام کھلا ہوتا ہے اور ہوا لگنے سے اوپر کا حصہ کالا ہو جاتا ہے، یہ میل نہیں ہوتا۔ وائٹ ہیڈ میں مسام بند ہوتا ہے، اس لیے دانہ سفید رہتا ہے۔
کیا یہ ہمیشہ کے لیے ختم ہو سکتے ہیں؟ جلد تیل بناتی رہتی ہے، اس لیے یہ دوبارہ بن سکتے ہیں، لیکن باقاعدہ علاج سے مسام صاف رہتے ہیں۔
علاج: ہمارے ڈاکٹر پہلے آپ کی جلد کا معائنہ کرتے ہیں، پھر ہائیڈرا فیشل، ایچ ڈی گلو فیشل یا سیلیسلک ایسڈ پیل تجویز کرتے ہیں۔
گھر پر: دن میں دو بار نرم فیس واش استعمال کریں، تیل سے پاک کریم لگائیں، رات کو میک اپ اتاریں اور بلیک ہیڈز کو مت دبائیں۔
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