What to Do About a Blackhead that Keeps Coming Back

Posted on: November 30th, 2020 by Kristen Chang

Why is that blackhead back? You did everything you were supposed to do. You’ve extracted, exfoliated, and—tsk, tsk—picked and popped. But there it is again: that one blackhead that refuses to go away. And it’s a big one too.

You could be dealing with a dilated pore of Winer. It’s called that not because of people whining when they have one, but because of the dermatologist who first recognized it as a specific skin condition. Some people have bridges, mountains and monuments named after them, but Dr. Lou Winer has a giant blackhead named after him. That’s because in 1954, he was the first to describe it in the medical literature. He also helped found the American Academy of Dermatology (but only the blemish is named for him).

Why Does a Dilated Pore of Winer Happen?

Although a dilated pore of Winer is benign and not likely to spread, its appearance as a supersized blackhead is reason enough to want it gone. As with ordinary blackheads, a pore can become clogged when a hair follicle gets overloaded with a mix of sloughed off skin cells and sebum. Similar to grease clogging a drain, sebum can cause a build-up of oil in the pore. Microscopic dust and dirt particles can become part of the mix. As more of this detritus collects and the pore remains clogged, it can dilate in size due to its packed contents. Prolonged exposure to the air causes the blockage to oxidize and darken. Because the pore gets stretched out of shape, it will fill back up again even after it is emptied.

These stubborn pores are most likely to occur on the face, chest and back. However, they can also emerge on the ears, neck and scalp.

How to Banish that Big Blackhead Forever

There is no point trying to squeeze or extract a dilated pore of Winer. It is too big. The enlarged pore, once emptied of its unsightly contents, will only fill back up again. Repeated squeezing and/or extraction can lead to an infection or cause hyperpigmentation in the surrounding skin cells. Removing a dilated pore of Winer permanently is a job for a dermatologist. That’s because the best bet for permanently getting rid of a dilated pore of Winer includes getting rid of the entire affected pore. Your California Skin Institute dermatologist can make a small surgical incision to remove the enlarged pore and its contents in a procedure known as an excision. After the pore is removed, the doctor will put in a couple of stitches. Once the stitches heal, which typically takes 5 to 10 days, the dilated pore of Winer will be no more.

Follow-Up with Salicylic Acid and Non-Comedogenic Ingredients

Once your board-certified dermatologist eliminates that blackhead for you in a clinically effective way, it is important for you to follow through with a good home care regimen. The right products can help keep your skin free of the excess sebum and debris that can cause more blackheads. A key component for home care is salicylic acid, which can help exfoliate the skin and reduce blemish-causing bacteria.

It is also important to choose skincare products with noncomedogenic ingredients that will not clog pores and to avoid greasy products that can worsen blackheads and other types of blemishes. Look for products that are labeled “oil-free,” especially if you have oily skin.

You can now get the perfect package of optimally balanced and formulated skincare products with our new Acne Essentials Kit. Designed by our own California Skin Institute board-certified dermatologists, the Acne Essentials Kit includes a deep cleaning gel cleanser with glycolic and salicylic acid, daily use acne pads for oil control, spot treatment for stubborn breakouts and a daily oil-free hydrator.

With a visit to your California Skin Institute dermatologist, followed up with the right at-home skin care products, you can finally bid that big blackhead goodbye.