Make sure you clean the surface of the water basin thoroughly with soap and rinse it out before you attempt to steam your face. In the past, it was thought that antibacterial soap would be helpful, but newer studies have shown that antibacterial soaps can cause superbugs, that is why ordinary detergent or soap is recommended. This will remove germs stuck to the bottom of your sink and you can be reassured that you will not vaporize germs.
It’s important that you do this for no more than 5-10 minutes at a time, and no more than once or twice a week. Over-steaming your face can eventually dry it out, which can eventually result in your skin over-producing oil to try to make up for the lack of moisture in your skin.
It’s also important to be gentle with your skin as you wash. Don’t pick at your blackheads, or scrub your skin vigorously. Only use gentle scrubbing, even if you’re exfoliating. You don’t need to dig at your skin to keep it clean.
Mix a few drops of essential oil into the oil if you want to make it scented.
If your blackheads don’t go away or increase in number after 2 weeks of treatment, make an appointment to see your doctor.
If the area around the blackhead is red and painful to the touch, it could be infected. Red streaks around the blackhead are a sure sign of an infection. Pus oozing out of the blackhead means that the pore is infected and needs treatment.
Signs of an allergic reaction include itchy eyes, ears, or mouth, difficulty breathing, hives or a rash on the skin, swollen tongue or lips, and nausea or vomiting. If you’re unable to drive yourself to seek help, call an ambulance.
Mental health is nothing to be embarrassed about. If you’re having trouble dealing with your blackheads, talk to a psychiatrist. Symptoms of anxiety include feeling nervous, panic, increased heart rate, trouble sleeping, and difficulty controlling worry. Depression can manifest in various ways, but common symptoms include irritability, anger, agitation, lethargy, sleepiness, and a loss of enjoyment in your usual activities.
