I am a skin care specialist so I use the tool as part of my Facial Skin Care regime. I will apply steam to my face, tone twice, with a toner of my choice foam/cream,gel toner and then start to use the tool to extract any blackheads, spots, whiteheads or congestion. I find it does work on deep black heads when used properly- without steam it’s a little more difficult to get them stubborn black heads however I find this with all tools so as a profession skin care specialist I use clean heads to get those stubborn black heads.