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Your blackheads should clear up after about 4-8 weeks of home care. However, they may persist in some cases. If this happens to you, your dermatologist can prescribe a more powerful treatment to help clear your skin. They may also recommend getting an extraction. Talk to your dermatologist to decide what's best for you. For instance, your dermatologist may prescribe hormonal birth control or spironolactone to help balance your hormones if topical treatments don't clear your blackheads. Cleansers and creams that contain salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide can also help clean your pores. Additionally, benzoyl peroxide kills bacteria. These treatments are usually effective for clearing blackheads. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you need help picking the right product for you. You can also buy pore strips over-the-counter to help remove the blackheads. If other treatments aren't working and you don't want to use a comedone extractor yourself, schedule an appointment with your dermatologist to do it for you. They will inject your blemishes with corticosteroids to help reduce the risk of scarring before using a comedone extractor to remove them. Blackheads alone typically respond to natural or over-the-counter treatments. However, you may need additional treatments if you also have other types of acne, like whiteheads or pimples. Your dermatologist can offer you creams or medications to help clear your skin. Your dermatologist may give you prescription-strength acne cleansers and creams. If you have cystic acne, you may need an antibiotic to help clear your skin. You may need to take hormonal birth control or spironolactone if your acne and blackheads are caused by hormonal fluctuations.
Consult a dermatologist if your blackheads don't go away. Ask about over-the-counter treatments for stubborn blackheads. Get your blackheads extracted professionally if they bother you. Check with your doctor if you have moderate-to-severe acne, as well.