The best way to keep blackheads from coming back is to maintain your skincare routine and live a healthy life. Use a mild soap to wash or cleanse your pores. It is also a good idea to exfoliate your skin with baking soda to remove dead skin cells, excess oils, and dirt.
A persistent blackhead can be as bothersome. These pesky black dots form when sebum, dead skin cells and bacteria clog the pores, and then remain open, exposing them to air. While blackheads are normally easier to treat than acne, lingering marks can sometimes occur putting a dark cloud over your complexion. You can remove blackheads that keep recurring by using the proper extraction tools and following up with acne-fighting skin care regiment, products, and medications.
What are blackheads?
Understanding Blackheads
Blackheads also known as open comedones, represent a tiny skin opening (pore) clogged at the surface of the sebaceous gland. This plug comprises of sebum (or oil) and dirt, has an open top so you can see it and it appears black. And, sadly, they are are a little more apparent on some of us than on others.
The appearance of blackheads varies based on many things including age, skin care regimen, hormone status, and heredity. There are only some aspects of these variables that we can control. People with very visible blackheads are usually teenagers, but even the elderly can suffer from them. Blackheads are tiny bumps that develop on your skin because of clogged hair follicles. They are called blackheads because the surface appears dark or black. Blackheads, a mild form of acne, develops on the face, but they can also appear on the:
- back
- chest
- neck
- arms
- shoulders
Acne affects many people and is the most common skin disorder.
What causes these blackheads?
Blackheads form when a clog develops in the hair follicles in your skin. Each hair follicle contains one hair and a sebaceous gland that produces oil called sebum, which serves to keep your skin soft. Dead skin and oils accumulate in the opening of the hair follicle, creating a bump referred to as a comedo. If the skin over it stays closed, the bump referred to as a white head. If the skin opens exposing the clog contents to the air, this triggers oxidation turning it black, thus forming a blackhead. Some factors can raise your chances of getting acne like:
- producing too much body oil(sebum)
- the accumulation of the Propionibacterium acnes bacteria on the skin. This bacteria is responsible for acne.
- irritation of the follicles when dead skins cells are not shed on a regularly.
- hormonal changes that induce an increase in oil production during the adolescence, menstruation, or while on birth control pills.
- using certain drugs, like corticosteroids, lithium, or androgens
- some believe that what you consume can affect acne. Dairy products and certain foods that raise blood sugar levels, like carbohydrates, play a part in triggering acne, but more research is needed.
What are the symptoms of blackheads?
Because of their dark color, they are easy to spot. They’re slightly raised on the skin, although they aren’t painful because they aren’t inflamed like pimples. Pimples form when bacteria invade the clog in the hair follicle, causing redness and inflammation.
How to rid of get rid of and prevent blackheads?
Exfoliating with baking soda
Exfoliating is one of the ways you can minimize the appearance of blackheads. You can use gentle cleansers, scrub brushes and sponges to scour away plugged pores gently. Baking soda is a substance often utilized in microdermabrasion, which, as a way of exfoliating, and can aid in reducing blackheads when done regularly.
Combine it with some water to make a gentle scrubbing paste. Alternatively, you can replace the water with apple cider vinegar, because it has astringent and anti-bacterial qualities and will similarly clear out pores.
Use clay and charcoal masks
Face masks are recommended for patients for deep cleaning which in some circumstances can help clean out pores, leaving them smoother looking. Like with microdermabrasion, it requires regular use for the best results. Abrasive pastes, powders and clay masks containing kaolin gently exfoliate and help absorb excess oil, but it will gather again shortly after using the product, thus the need for regular use.
Cleanse with salicylic acid
Instead of products with benzoyl peroxide, look for OTC products that have salicylic acid. It is preferred for blackheads and whiteheads because it breaks down the stuff in a clog: excess oil and dead skin. By picking a daily cleanser containing salicylic acid, you can take out these elements in addition to removing daily dirt, oil, and makeup.
Although you are still required to wash your face twice a day, try a cleanser that has salicylic acid in it once a day for starters. You can to use it at night only and then use your regular cleanser when you wake. As your skin gets used to the salicylic product, you can choose to apply it both in the morning and at night. Many individuals are sensitive to salicylic acid, and you may find you are unable to use it more than once every few days. Discontinue use if you continue to react to it.
Gently exfoliate with AHAs and BHAs
Exfoliating can have adverse effects on inflammatory acne, as the process can cause further redness and irritation. Since blackheads are not inflammatory, you can exfoliate your skin. Regular exfoliation can help remove excess dead skin cells that could lead to clogged pores. The process can also gently remove existing blackheads.
Concentrate on alpha and beta hydroxy acids (AHAs and BHAs) products or scrubs that contain them rather than going for harsh scrubs. Glycolic acid is the most common kind of AHA, and salicylic acid is a prominent BHA.
Don’t waste your time using benzoyl peroxide for blackheads
When it comes to OTC acne spot treatments, many products contain benzoyl peroxide. The issue is that benzoyl peroxide doesn’t work for all kinds of acne.Benzoyl peroxide acts on acne by reducing swelling, which a key marker of inflammatory acne, cysts, and pustules. It can also eliminate underlying bacteria in a pimple. However, blackheads are not considered inflammatory and are not caused by bacteria, so products with benzoyl peroxide won’t do you much good.
Use a retinoid product
This vitamin A derivative is the ideal product to clear clogged pores and prevent blackheads from forming. Prescription-strength products are the most effective, but there are also several highly efficient over-the-counter retinol formulas. These increase the cell turnover rate, making it less likely to form acne. The outer skin layer evens out and gets thicker while the outer dead layer of keratin material sheds more efficiently. Sometimes there is noticeable peeling but after regular use three to seven times weekly for four to six weeks, the side effects lessen, and the skin appears more radiant and clear.
Microdermabrasion
This professional exfoliation method can help a great deal with acne and blackheads. Your dermatologist can also provide chemical peel treatments and comedone extractions which are office-based procedures known to help improve skin texture and appearance.
Make sure you’re using non-comedogenic skincare products
The best cleanser, mask, and exfoliator will do little good if you don’t apply non-comedogenic makeup and face products. Non-comedogenic means the product in question will not cause comedones or clogged pores. Make sure to read labels carefully as not all products are non-comedogenic.
Also, don’t sleep in your makeup
Make sure to clean your makeup at the end of the day. If left on overnight, even non-comedogenic types can plug your pores. Plus, eye makeup left on overnight can cause eye irritation or infections.
Try pore strips
Whether they are purchased from the store or homemade, pore strips can offer prompt improvement of some kinds of clogged pores, but the blackheads will come back unless a right skin care regime is followed frequently as a preventative measure.
Try Clarisonic brush
Electronic skin care devices, such as the Clarisonic brush, are not just hype; they cleanse your skin much more thoroughly than your fingers alone. Just make sure you do not overemphasize, it because irritation from the cleansing brush can flare up other acne.
Facials are great too for blackheads
Facials- where the skin is steamed, and blackheads are removed manually -are also effective. But it is essential that these extractions are done correctly, so as not to cause unnecessary inflammation or trauma. Therefore as tempting, it may be to squeeze out your own, it is best to leave blackhead squeezing to the pros.
Do not forget to moisturize
Moisturizing is a crucial step in any skincare routine; even if you have acne-prone skin. All of these treatments may strip oils from the skin and be drying. It is significant to maintain the right balance in the skin, and moisturizing will enable you to keep up using exfoliating products without any problems. Pro tip, particularly for those with sensitive skin: In case a retinoid cream is too drying, try rubbing it over moisturizer (or even between layers of moisturizer). Use non-comedogenic moisturizers, which are designed specifically not to clog your pores
For severe situations, oral acne medicines may be necessary
When everything else fails, your dermatologist might recommend an oral medication to help clear things up. In case topical treatments are not doing the job, medications such as birth control pills and spironolactone reduce oil generation and can effectively cure blackheads. They will get rid of them and prevent new blackheads from developing in the future. However, these medications are reserved for people with more than just the occasional blackhead- they are more for patients with moderate to severe acne. Both oral contraceptives and spironolactone act on a hormonal level to help reduce oil secretion in the skin.
Blackheads: What not to do?
It may take your whole will, but the worst thing to do is to squeeze blackheads. This can inflame the skin, cause infection and even cause scarring. Be cautious not to use any sharp tools on the skin. Leave that to the professionals.
Avoid pore strips and other home extraction options
You know that picking, scratching, and popping acne is considered detrimental. Still, it can be tempting to find some form of extraction method to get rid of these troublesome blackheads. Recently, there’s been a rise in masks, pore strips, and extraction tools in the market that promises clean pores. Although pore strips and masks can help remove the junk in your pores, they can also extract elements that help your skin. This includes natural oils and some hair follicles. Removing all these elements can make your skin dry out and quickly get irritated. When this occurs, your oil glands can then go into hyperactivity producing even more oil, resulting in increased blackheads.
Other methods include professional-grade metallic or plastic extraction tools. These supposedly work by eliminating clogged blackheads without scratching your epidermis. The keyword to note here is professional. These tools or variations of them are sometimes utilized by dermatologists who have years of training to remove blackheads. When placed in amateur hands, they can turn easily scratch the skin, causing wounds and even scarring.
If you continue to see new and pre-existing blackheads after using any of these methods, you may need to see your dermatologist. They can examine your skin and help come up with a treatment fit for you. Also remember that any new acne regimen, including one for blackheads, can take anywhere from 6 to 12 weeks to take effect.
Here are the best quick and additional tips for how to remove blackheads all in one place:
Once you have cleansed, do fast facial steam to open pores and soften. Clasp your face over a basin of hot water, cover your head with a towel and stay that way for about ten minutes. Next, squeeze very delicately any blackheads that look ready to come out. Do not over squeeze or pop, You can use a blackhead extractor device to remove blackheads quickly and efficiently which are ready to come out.
Create a refreshing astringent from mineral water, and fresh lemon juice use a ratio of half to half, lemon juice can be harsh, so use it with caution. Splash or mist this onto skin to assist close pores. Follow this with a light powder or concealer, which can be massaged in to disguise the tiny holes that can be left behind!
Rub a small amount of Glycolic Daily Exfoliator 7.5% in the morning, wash off immediately, and follow with your usual routine. This will make your skin appear fresh all day. Use the product at night too for best results. Cleanse closely at night. Blackheads do well when make up, and oil is not cleaned off well. A double cleanse is a great idea and also massage it into congested regions. Keep your skin balanced by rubbing moisturizer no matter how oily you are; balanced skin generates the right amount of oil it requires only. Caution- Do not skip this step.
However, it has to be the right moisturizer! The best cleansing and exfoliating procedure will go to waste if you are using a moisturizer that is too oily – remember the moisturizer stays on your skin. This can frequently be the missing key in your routine if you are keeping on struggling with clogged skin. Use a light, oil-free moisturizer on if your skin is very oily and you have congested regions (you can rub a more hydrating cream to drier regions such as cheeks). Also, remember to work on the ear blackheads!
