Here's Everything You Need To Know About Pore Vacuums

Blackheads suck and pore vacuum extractors suck blackheads- or at least that is what they claim to do. Unless you're living under a rock, you've surely come across advertisements for this magical blackhead banishing beauty tool.

Blackhead pore vacuums have taken over social media platforms. But do they really live up to the hype surrounding them or are they just another (unnecessary?) item in the long list of beauty tools that go viral from time to time?

What Exactly Is A Pore Vacuum?

woman using pore vacuum — Source: Amazon

The name pore vacuum is surprisingly not misleading unlike the names of several other beauty tools. A pore vacuum is just what it sounds like; a suction-y device for vacuuming your pores.

Benefits Of Using a Pore Vacuum

A miracle device that'll suck out those pesky little blackheads within seconds, sounds too good to be true, doesn't it?

Here is a list of benefits that a pore vacuum claims to offer:

Extracts blackheads within seconds.
Removes oil and dirt.
Removes dead skin and buildup of cells.
Improves blood circulation.
Increases skin elasticity and firmness.
Pore cleansing without squeezing.
Painless pore extraction.

Here is a list of advantages of using a pore vacuum:

Compact handheld device.
Adjustable suction strength.
Portable.
Lightweight.
Multi-functional and replaceable vacuum heads.
Safe to use, if instructions are followed carefully.

How To Use A Pore Vacuum?

1. Patch Test On Hand

Before you use the vacuum directly on your face, make sure to first test it on the back of your hand.

Test each vacuum head one by one to see which one feels most comfortable for you. This will also help you to figure out how much suction speed/strength your skin can handle.

2. Prepare Your Face

Once you are familiar with the vacuum tool, prepare your face for the vacuuming process. Fill a pot with boiling water and carefully hold your face over the rising steam. Throw a towel over your head to make the process more effective.

Steaming your face will soften your skin and loosen up the keratin plugs in your pores. This will make it easier to suck them out with the vacuum tool. You can also dip a washcloth in hot water and hold it on your face for a few minutes to prepare your skin.

3. Suction Time

Wipe your face to dry it completely.

Enclose the targeted area with the nozzle head. Now turn on the suction and lightly glide the vacuum head just like you are waving a wand. Don't press the tool too hard on your skin. Move the tool evenly using light circular motions.

It is better to use the vacuum at the lowest suction speed settings.

4. Be Careful

Make sure to move your hand continuously. If you let the vacuum stay in the same place for more than three seconds it'll suck up your skin and you'll end up with a bruise on your face.

Note that you don't have to vacuum your entire face. Just work on the congested areas like the T-zone i.e., the forehead, nose and chin. Leave out delicate areas like under and around your eyes, above your lips, your cheeks and your hairline.

5. After Care

Once you finish vacuuming wait till the initial redness subsides. Then massage your face with a cold serum or moisturizer. Make sure that whatever product you use does not contain any exfoliating ingredients.

A simple nourishing and hydrating ingredient will work best. You can apply cool aloe vera gel. Chilled sheet masks are great options too.

Sanitize the nozzle of your vacuum extractor before and after each use to keep it clean and free from infection-causing germs.

Note: Don't use a pore vacuum on your face more than twice a week. Don't use a pore vacuum on your face for more than 5 minutes. Don't use any Retinol based skincare product on your face for at least 48 hours before vacuuming.

Do Pore Vacuums Really Work?

The answer to this question depends upon your expectations. Yes, pore vacuums do work but not as effectively as you'd expect them to.

It won't miraculously "open" all your pores and suck out every trace of blackheads leaving you with a clean and smooth finish. But it'll suck out the grime from pores that have been loosened up. If nothing else, it'll at least suck up dead skin cells, makeup residue and oil from your skin.

Is It Worth Vacuuming Your Face?

The honest answer is no. Vacuuming will only remove grime from the surface of your pores and you can do that with your cleanser too.

Truthfully, pores can never be completely "opened" or "closed". Your pores get plugged up naturally over time. You cleanse out your pores. Your pores get plugged up again as time goes on.

This is a natural cycle and vacuuming your pores is only a temporary solution.

But again, the answer depends on your personal preference. If you like trying out new beauty tools then go for it. Vacuuming is a much better option than poking and prodding your pores in an attempt to cleanse them.

On the other hand, you can just stick to the simple act of cleansing your face thoroughly twice a day. You can also try gentle exfoliating cleansers or scrubs. Pore strips are great alternatives.

If you have sensitive skin that bruises easily or skin conditions like rosacea, eczema, and acne-infected skin, it is best to avoid pore vacuums. Using a pore vacuum on sensitive skin can lead to redness, irritation, bruises, ruptured blood vessels and even telangiectasias (spider veins).

Why put your delicate facial skin at risk for modest benefits that can be achieved with gentler and safer alternatives?

Final Thoughts: Should pore vacuums be an essential part of your skincare routine? No. Do you really need a pore vacuum? Only if you wish to have one.

In case you decide to buy one, here is a list of the best vacuum extractors available in India:

These were some of the best options for pore vacuums available in India. We hope that your pore vacuuming experience goes great. Happy vacuuming! :D

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