We may love nose strips for their ease of use, but it turns out there can be some side effects and nuances in their application. It’s always better to know all of the specialists’ tips, to avoid unwanted results. So, before you use a pore strip, let’s take a closer look at them.
We at Bright Side understand the importance of the right beauty procedures and would love to share some professional information with you about pore strips.
❗ This article is for information purposes only and doesn’t replace professional advice.
1. Pore strips won’t prevent blackheads.
Although pore strips can effectively remove blackheads after one use, it’s only for the short term. Your blackheads might come back after a few weeks or so. There isn’t really a magical way to pull out your pores, and even if there was, it wouldn’t be such a good thing. Your pores have some vital functions for the skin — they take care of hair follicles, collect oils, and let out sweat. However, using strips can make your pores look smaller and remove those icky black clots, which can make them look smaller.
Nose strips won’t prevent blackheads from coming back, nor will they reduce the buildup of oil. That’s why you may see those black dots on your nose again very soon afterward.
Dermatologists suggest using nose strips repeatedly. This can be done once or twice a week to avoid blackheads.
2. Nose strips don’t provide deep cleaning.
Generally, blackhead strips for the nose are thought to clean your pores by removing what’s inside of them. Even though many people might use them, they don’t really hold much power over cleanliness. Some pore strips even have substances or other chemicals in them, which can be a bad solution if you have sensitive skin.
Washing your face before using a nose strip is very important because your skin might already have bacteria on it, and adding a strip to that can cause your pores to become inflamed and sometimes even break out. It’s important to use some kind of hydrating lotion or cream to add some moisture to your skin after using strips.
Dermatologists say that nose strips won’t actually make the pores on your nose absolutely clean. The strong adhesive only removes the top layers of dead skin cells and lots of dirt still remains inside the pores. So you may need a deep cleaning procedure anyways.
3. Pore strips can irritate your skin.
The nose strips work by attaching the sticky side to the debris within the pores which makes your complexion appear red and swollen. Also, if your skin is super sensitive and you have a damaged pore, the strips can peel off your entire skin layer, which can create a scar. Try not to use strips if you have dry skin or eczema, as this can just worsen it.
Infection is also likely to rise by trying to unclog your pores with pore strip removal — this way, they are open to bacteria and dirt. It’s advisable to see your dermatologist at the first sight of an infection (whether it’s swollen or tender) to prevent scarring or any other damage.
Specialists say that if you have sensitive skin, pore strips can irritate and even damage it. This happens because the adhesive can pull out some hairs and mess up your skin. Besides, it’s better to check and see if you have an allergy to the adhesive. For example, you can try applying it to your hand first.
4. Steam your face for 10-20 minutes before applying a pore strip.
Right after cleaning your face, the first step in using pore strips is to rinse off your sink with very hot water, and make sure to clog the sink until it fills up. This will create some steam. Hot water and steam may help loosen the sebum inside your pores so the strips can remove the sebum better. Just do a steam bath for your face for about 10-20 minutes or apply hot towels to your face. Your pores will open wider and it will be easier to get rid of blackheads.
Also, it might be way easier to get out the dirt that is clogging your pores. After this, the best way to remove all the blackheads is to peel off the pore strip from the top and then the bottom. For the sides, it’s best to peel them off at the same time.
5. Cut your strips for better results.
Beauty vloggers recommend cutting the edges of your pore strip so it’s easier to adjust it according to the shape of your nose. In this case, you can avoid bubbles under the strip so you won’t miss any spots on your nose. You can also cut it in half and use it on both sides of your cheeks.
6. Use an ice cube after applying a pore strip.
Sticky nose strips can make pores appear larger after removing the top of the blackhead. This might make your pores more sensitive to infection.
You can try to use an ice cube after using a strip. This will help you close your pores. If you are not a fan of this procedure, just rinse your face with cold water.
Bonus: pore strip alternatives
- A skin brush can remove any leftover dead skin cells, however, they should be used gently, occasionally, and with a cleansing wash (especially for sensitive skin).
- Clay masks help with detaching oils and toxins from your skin and, as a result, unclog your pores. They also have sulfur in them, which helps to remove dead skin cells that create blackheads. If you have really oily skin, then a clay mask is recommended. Using it once a week is the way to go.
- Take off your makeup before bed. Sleeping with makeup on will just attract more blackheads to develop in your pores. If you have oily skin, then it might be best to take your makeup off with a foaming cleanser. But you can also use this before washing your face, regardless of if you have makeup on or not.
How often do you use nose strips? Do you try to deep clean your pores from time to time?
Please note: This article was updated in June 2022 to correct source material and factual inaccuracies.
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