Stop squeezing your pores raw: US-based doctor shares a painless trick to clear blackheads without scars

Squeezing blackheads until the skin turns red has long been treated as an unavoidable skincare ritual. But a new viral post by a US-based physician suggests that the habit may be doing more harm than good and that clearer pores do not require pain at all.

Dr John Valentine, a board-certified physician popularly known on Instagram as @healthylifesage, has shared a simple, non-invasive method to deal with blackheads, urging people to stop forcing them out of the skin.

Why squeezing blackheads may backfire

In a recent Instagram video, Dr Valentine cautioned against manually squeezing blackheads, a practice many consider the fastest fix. According to him, pressing blackheads out can rupture the delicate walls of the pore, leaving behind tiny holes that heal poorly.


He also warned that forceful squeezing can push the blockage deeper into the skin instead of removing it, potentially worsening the problem and increasing the risk of inflammation and scarring. The advice comes amid growing dermatological concern over aggressive at-home extractions that compromise skin repair.

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A post shared by Dr. John Valentine (@healthylifesage)

A painless routine that works with your skin

Instead of pressure, Dr Valentine recommends using warmth and absorption to clear clogged pores. In the video, he advises placing the face six to eight inches away from steam, covering the head with a towel to trap the heat. This step helps soften blackheads and gently open pores.

He then suggests following up with a clay mask. According to Dr Valentine, this combination allows the skin to release trapped debris naturally, without tearing or trauma.

The science behind steam and clay masks

Dr Valentine explained that scientific studies show gentle heat increases local blood circulation. Improved circulation delivers more oxygen and nutrients to the skin, which helps loosen hardened sebum and dead skin cells trapped inside pores.

Clay masks, meanwhile, work by binding excess oil, bacteria, and surface debris. Used together, steam and clay masks can reduce inflammation, lower infection risk, and support the skin’s natural healing process, making extraction easier or sometimes unnecessary altogether.

Dr John Valentine is a professor of medicine at the University of Utah Health and has over 35 years of medical experience. He graduated from the McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston in 1985 and is board-certified in gastroenterology, with expertise in inflammatory bowel disease and esophageal disorders.

Under his online identity Healthy Life Sage, Dr Valentine focuses on preventive health and longevity, translating medical research into everyday wellness advice. His content often highlights simple lifestyle habits aimed at protecting long-term organ and skin health.

For those struggling with blackheads, the message is clear. Clear skin does not have to come with pain, pressure, or damage. Sometimes, letting the skin open up and heal on its own is the most effective treatment of all.