If it is your first time trying extraction tools on your face, it might be a good idea to find a reliable video tutorial online to watch best practices in action. Just the Goods doesn't offer a video, but I can share with you my approach, which may vary from that of others. My recommendations are as follows
- Cleanse hands and face
- Cleanse tools with rubbing alcohol
- Place the wider circle press shape over a comedone and apply equal pressure around the spot in attempt to release what has built up under the skin
- If nothing will come out, but there's clearly something there, use a hot compress (i.e. a washcloth saturated with hot water) to open the pore before trying again. Be careful to not burn your hands or face.
- If still nothing will come out, try using the hook shaped popper to gently find and press into the clogged pore. When done correctly, the skin will not break causng bleeding because no new hole has been introduced to the skin. Others may choose to use a straight pointed tool rather than the hook shaped popper, but I prefer the latter because I have poor eyesight and need to stand very close to a mirror to perform an extraction. Extraction kits typically offer a range of tool shapes specifically for this type of accommodation.
- Upon confirming the location of the comedone and potentially loosening it in the pore, try the wide circle tool again to push out the build up. If the build up won't clear, stop and try again later after giving skin time to rest and recover. It may take multiple efforts to dislodge the comedone.
- The thin wire triangle shape is helpful as a preventative tool -- using moderate and even pressure, drag it across the space between the eyebrows in uniform horizontal lines to press out sebum before it turns into a lump under the skin. Other areas of the face where it can be helpful to do this include at the sides of the nostrils, the flat surface of the chin directly under the lower lip.
- Always sanitize tools before putting them back into their protective case to keep them clean and reduce risk of injury.
Remember to avoid breaking the skin around the clogged pore because that can lead to bleeding and scabbing or infection. It's better to wait a day or two than to risk an infection or scar.
Folks with bigger blackheads or soft white heads may find they need/prefer other tools. Again, the main thing is to make sure the tools are well cleaned with rubbing alcohol before and after use to avoid transferring bacteria.