Dr Sebagh’s Blackhead Protocol: How to Clear Congestion Without Stripping Skin

Blackheads are one of the most persistent skin concerns. Not because they are difficult to treat, but because they are so often treated incorrectly. Harsh scrubs, aggressive extraction and over-exfoliation may deliver short-term results, but they frequently compromise the skin barrier and cause congestion to return.

Dr Sebagh’s blackhead protocol takes a clinical, skin-respecting approach, designed to treat blackheads at the source while maintaining long-term skin health.

If you’re unfamiliar with how blackheads form or why they recur, read our expert guide on what blackheads are and how they develop.

Why Blackheads Need a Different Approach

Blackheads are not dirt. They are a form of non-inflamed acne known as open comedones, created when excess oil (sebum) and dead skin cells become trapped inside a pore and oxidise on contact with air.

The problem with many blackhead treatments is that they focus on force rather than function, stripping oil, traumatising pores or relying on extraction. This disrupts normal skin renewal, often making congestion worse over time.

Dr Sebagh’s method is based on skin physiology, not aggression.

What Makes Dr Sebagh’s Blackhead Protocol Different?

Dr Sebagh treats blackheads using a simple but highly effective clinical framework:

OPEN → ABSORB → MAINTAIN

• Open the pore correctly using controlled chemical exfoliation

• Absorb excess oil and debris without dehydrating the skin

• Maintain results daily to prevent recurrence

This structured approach allows congestion to clear gradually while preserving the integrity of the skin barrier.

Step 1 — OPEN: Preparing the Pore Properly

Blackheads form when dead skin cells accumulate inside pores, trapping oil beneath the surface. The first step is to loosen this build-up gently, not force it out.

Dr Sebagh uses chemical exfoliation for congested skin to prepare pores safely and effectively, rather than physical scrubs, to prepare the pore.

Deep Exfoliating Mask

Formulated with lactic acid (AHA) and azelaic acid, this mask helps dissolve the bonds between dead skin cells, refine texture and support clearer pores.

How to use

• Apply twice weekly, in the evening

• Leave on for 3–5 minutes only

• Rinse thoroughly

This step helps open the pore and release congestion without irritating or thinning the skin.

Step 2 — ABSORB: Drawing Out Oil and Debris

Once the pore is prepared, excess oil and remaining debris must be absorbed, not stripped.

Clay and zinc-based ingredients act as oil-absorbing treatments for congested pores, helping draw out impurities without stripping the skin, helping pores look clearer and more refined over time.

Skin Perfecting Mask (Boosted Technique)

To intensify results for blackhead-prone skin, Dr Sebagh recommends a boosted masking technique:

How to use

• Mix Skin Perfecting Mask with a small pinch of Breakout Powder in the palm of your hand

• Apply to the T-zone or blackhead-prone areas only, leave for 5-10 minutes

• Rinse thoroughly

This combination enhances oil absorption while maintaining skin comfort and balance.

Step 3 — MAINTAIN: Keeping Pores Clear Daily

Blackheads often return when oil production is left unchecked between treatments. Maintenance is therefore essential. Daily use of an oil-balancing powder for blackheads helps prevent congestion from rebuilding between mask nights.

Breakout Powder

Used daily, Breakout Powder helps absorb excess oil, refine the appearance of pores and maintain clarity between mask nights.

How to use

• Apply daily to congestion-prone areas

• Use a tap and press motion

• Do not rub

Consistency is key. Daily maintenance prevents congestion from rebuilding inside the pore.

The Daily Foundation: Cleansing Without Over-Stripping

A well-designed routine starts with proper cleansing. Begin morning and evening with a foaming cleanser for congested skin to remove excess oil and surface build-up.

Breakout Foaming Cleanser

Used morning and evening, this cleanser removes excess oil and surface build-up without disrupting the skin barrier, supporting all three steps of the protocol.

Gentle cleansing helps reduce congestion while preparing skin for active treatments.

Who Is This Protocol For?

This protocol is ideal for:

• Combination and oily skin

• Visible shine and enlarged-looking pores

• Blackheads concentrated on the nose, forehead or chin

• Adult skin experiencing congestion with occasional inflammatory spots

It may not be suitable for:

• Broken or compromised skin

• Severely inflamed acne without professional guidance

How Often Should You Use the Protocol?

• Start with once weekly masking if skin is sensitive

• Increase to twice weekly if well tolerated

• If dryness or irritation occurs, reduce frequency and simplify the routine

Over-exfoliation does not speed results — it delays them.

Why Consistency Beats Aggression

As skin ages, cell turnover slows and pores become more prone to congestion. Long-term clarity depends on intelligent repetition, not force.

Dr Sebagh’s protocol works with the skin’s natural renewal processes, delivering clearer pores, refined texture and balanced oil levels over time.

Conclusion: A Smarter Way to Treat Blackheads

Blackheads are open comedones caused by trapped oil and dead skin cells — not dirt. Treating them effectively requires a structured, skin-respecting approach.

By following Dr Sebagh’s Open → Absorb → Maintain protocol, blackheads can be significantly reduced without stripping the skin or compromising its barrier. Consistent cleansing, targeted exfoliation, oil absorption and daily maintenance are the foundation of long-term results.

For best outcomes, follow a clinically designed routine that addresses congestion at the source while supporting overall skin health.

Discover more about Blackheads on the Dr Sebagh Youtube Channel

 

Watch: Dr Sebagh on Blackheads

In this short video, Dr Sebagh explains why blackheads are not dirt and how his open–absorb–maintain method helps clear congestion without stripping the skin.