The staff in blackheads is plugged dead skin cells and oily protective substance known as sebum. A blackhead is either a hardened ball of oil, which somewhat looks like a tiny sesame seed, emerging from the skin. It feels robust and almost rolls off the skin surface once in case you go for a blackhead facial extraction. Alternatively, in case you have an excellent hydrating plan, and you take care of your skin correctly, but you still have that buildup from pollution, oil, and makeup, what comes out might be soft, it almost wiggles out and can wipe it away.
Blackheads are known this way due to the dark color that characterizes the top of the comedogene. The label can be misleading. However, blackheads can appear in a variety of colors, such as gray, black, brown, and, yellow. A lot of people mistakenly attribute these colors to the presence of dirt in the pore, but it’s a case of oxidation. The melanin pigment—present in the sebum produced by our oil glands oxidizes once it makes contact with the air at the top of the open comedo. It changes the blackhead to a dark color. If it does not come into contact with oxygen, the blackhead will look more yellow.
What are Blackheads?
What Causes Blackheads?
The primary cause of acne (including blackheads) is hormonal changes in the body that leads to excess oil production within the pores. It is a natural process, especially during puberty, which explains why so many teens suffer from blackheads.
Hormones cause the pores to produce excessive sebum, which stops the sebum from getting to the surface of your skin usually and results in an overfull skin pore. A run-up of dead skin cells on the surface skin and in the pores narrow the passage of the skin pores so that the secretion of the sebum isn't natural. In case the skin pore is still slightly open, the combination of excess sebum and dead skin cells comes into contact with oxygen, which oxidizes the mixture and turns it black.
Since natural hormonal changes in the body result in excess skin oil, clogged pores and ultimately blackheads, it’s almost impossible to go through life without a few breakouts. Although blackheads are bothersome, they are not a severe condition, and most people can get rid of blackheads with topical products that contain salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide.
Are There Different Types of Blackheads?
Even though blackheads are common and present in a large number of acne cases, there are particular observations of blackheads that are more rare, mainly the giant comedy, and a condition known as Nevus Comedonicus.
Giant Comedo
A giant comedo is an easily visible and abnormally large blackhead. The size of these blackheads could be a result of increased secretion of corneocytes that line the sebaceous duct. It also correlates with the decreased rate at which ductal corneocytes separate. No real finding or study has been able to confirm this hypothesis, however. These large comedones can be found in different regions of the body but are most prevalent on the face, chest, and back. They have also been occasionally present in parts that have apocrine glands, such as the scrotum and groin. These happen more frequently among middle-aged and older populations.
Nevus Comedonicus
Commonly known as super blackheads and spreading blackheads, Nevus Comedonicus is a rare complication that first came to light back in 1895. This skin disease manifests in groups of dilated follicular openings that are characterized by dark keratin plugs—they necessarily resemble blackheads or large comedones. While most cases are isolated, the complication may correlate with ocular abnormalities, central nervous system anomalies, and cutaneous defects. This disease may signify the presence of follicular structures that are unable to form sebaceous glands and terminal hair, thus leaving them only able to produce soft keratin.
The keratin accumulates in the pore and leads to dark, comedo-looking blemishes. While there’s not yet sufficient study to prove the rarity or frequency of this condition, one research found 12 cases of Nevus Comedonicus in a set of 100,000 skin biopsies, while another observed just one example in every 45,000 dermatology appointments. It seems to have an equal impact in both men and women, and mostly occurs in the early stages of life, although cases have been present in older adults.
How Blackheads Develop?
Similar to a pimple, blackheads also form when a plug develops in the follicle. The difference is the plug forms at the skin's surface and not more profound within the skin pore.
Even though it may look like dirt has become trapped in your pore, that black spot isn't dirt at all. It's the plug of your skin's oil that you're seeing. The top of the plug oxidizes because of its exposure to air and turns into that dark blackish-brown spot you see. (Picture what happens to an apple when you slice it, and it comes into contact with air; it turns brown. You'll witness a similar reaction when dealing with blackheads.)
Blackheads typically don't turn reddish and swollen because they rarely lead to a break in the follicle wall.
Blackheads Are Not Inflamed
Blackheads are non-inflamed lesions. They are ordinarily flat, aren't reddish in appearance or inflamed, and they don't cause any pain. You are even likely to be unaware of the presence of blackheads unless you're looking closely at your skin when you're in front of the mirror.
You can get blackheads in the same places pimples appear, but they're most common on the nose, chin, around the lips, and in the ears. Other blackheads are quite large and visible, while others are so tiny you can barely see them with the naked eye.
Blackheads Have a Black or Dark Brown Head
Blackheads have a dark blackish-looking head, and that's where they get their name. Some blackheads are more brown than black. Blackheads resemble a well-defined dark dot on the skin surface. Have a "freckle" form that has never been there before? Look keenly; chances are high; it could be a blackhead. Some blackheads are super tiny and are barely visible. Other blackheads can become quite large, a couple of millimeters in diameter. The technical terminology for a blackhead is open comedo.
Is It Bad If I Pop Blackheads on My Face?
Deep blackheads are tempting to self-extract due to their conspicuousness. However, regarding the removal of facial blackheads, there is a method to the madness.
Ideally, a dermatologist is the person responsible for blackhead removal. However, it's challenging to resist popping and squeezing them on your own. The best method of doing this at home is first to soften your skin. Then use a unique tool (for example an extractor) to pull out the contents.
To inhibit blackheads from forming in the first place, try using retinol or products that have salicylic acid, which gets into the follicles and assists in loosening the dead skin. You should try using a gentle hand when going rogue with blackhead removal. In case you’re too aggressive in trying to get every last bit of the contents of the follicle out, you can end up creating more inflammation. Avoid squeezing until it bleeds and doesn't pick off any scabs that develop. That only increases your chances of scarring and can boost the likelihood of the blackhead re-occurring on the same spot.
Do and Donts for Blackheads
Most people manage their blackheads at home without requiring to see a doctor, but activities can make them worse or cause more severe kind of acne. There are many myths and contradictions avout how to cure blackheads, so it might be best to evaluate what works for you. Below are the do's and dont’s for blackheads.
Do's for blackheads
Cleanse your face - there are special scrubs designed for exfoliating the face. Buy those cleansers that are scent-free and for sensitive skin, and avoid anything that makes your skin so dry. Various skincare products are accessible online.
While it is essential to dry up the skin by reducing excessive oil production, drying it too much may make the problem worse because of stimulating the extra production of oil by the glands. When it comes to make up, use non-comedogenic products that do not clog pores and keep the pores clean and decrease the buildup of dead skin. Buy non-comedogenic makeup online or various stores.
You can use prescription treatments to get rid of blackheads. Salicyclic acid, Azelaic acid, and benzoyl peroxide are some of the over the counter forms for acne including blackheads. You should apply directly to the skin. Prescription medications that comprise of Vitamin A such as tazarotene, tretinoin, and adapalene may be prescribed to keep acne from plugs from developing in hair follicles and enhance skin cells restoration.
For underlying conditions such as rosacea, eczema, and other skin problems can be make treating blackheads a challenge. Thus should be treated before treating acne, it can result in improvements of blackheads. Make sure you get enough rest and avoid stress. Stress can trigger acne. Medical research shows that cutting down chocolate or fries can decrease acne. A healthy balanced diet and a lot of water, vegetables, fruits, and fresh fruit will help clear blackheads and reduce the risk of skin lesions getting infected.
Don'ts for blackheads
Hormonal triggers can make blackheads unavoidable, but some factors causing blackheads can be controlled.
Avoid squeezing blackheads, even with tools for blackheads such as metal blackhead remover, as it can irritate the skin and worsen the problem. Avoid steaming the face. A steam bath has been recommended as a remedy for blackheads based on the fact that it opens the pores. You should note that there is nothing like opening and closing pores. Some people find steaming worsening the problem. Avoid scrubbing the face as it can worsen the problem. Scrubbing eliminates sebum. The sebaceous gland will then try to replace the sebum, causing blockage and the risk of inflammatory acne.
If you have to use masks, vacuums and removal strips use them with caution as they may irritate and damage the skin in case misused. When it comes to makeup and cosmetics, avoid oil-based makeup and skincare products Other environment that triggers blackheads and should avoided includes: Tight clothes that close off the skin and humid environment.
Skin products with alcohol. Since these can tighten and dry out the skin. Do not use hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide has been recommended for acne and other skin problems. It can decrease the severity of acne breakouts. However, it is also a harsh product that can dry and irritate the skin.
