Dr. Pimple Popper Reveals How to Finally Get Rid of Those Pesky Blackheads

Know what you’re dealing with

Blackheads are a bit different from the typical red bump that comes to mind when you think of acne. When a pore or hair follicle fills with debris or dead skin cells then gets open to skin, a blackhead forms. “It turns black because it’s exposed to oxygen and oxidizes,” says board-certified dermatologist Sandra “Dr. Pimple Popper” Lee, MD. Those clogged pores make a cozy home for bacteria, which is why blackheads tend to lead to more acne. (Learn Dr. Pimple Popper’s best advice for fighting red bumps too.)