Blackheads know as open comedones , bumps on skin look like tiny plugs also known as a type of acne vulgarise. The confusion over blackheads and whiteheads has to do with the fact that blackheads accompany oily skin where whiteheads could be present on oily or dry skin.
Blackheads occur when the skin's natural oil collects and hardens in the pores. When this happens the tip of the hardened oil sticks out on the surface of the skin and appears to be black. This problem is very common among people that suffer from acne. But luckily, there are ways to remove these types of zits from your body. In many cases, this can be done overnight if you are aware of the treatment options that work best.
How To Get Rid Of Blackheads | How to Remove Blackheads
The best way to remove blackheads is an area of contention, the most common method for how to get rid of blackheads is by squeeze gently. Removing the inside of the blackhead helps the skin because you are relieving the pressure which causes the damage. We know it can be nearly impossible to leave a blemish alone so here are some tips for gentle blackhead removal:
- Ensure to exfoliate the area of the skin that is most prone to blackheads. If possible this should be done up to three or four times a day. This will help to ensure that your pores of free of dead skin and other oils that may build up and cause these zits to occur.
- Use creams, a mild scrub or exfoliant to clear away dead skin cells. The blackheads will be exposed so you can more easily get rid of it with other treatment options.
- Keep your face dry and try to keep your hair away from your face. Your hair contains greasy oils that can cause blackheads and even spread infection. Then put a slightly warm compress on your face for approximately 10-15 minutes in order to soften the blackhead, making it easier to remove. Then dry it.
- Gently apply even pressure to both sides of the blackhead by pushing down, then up around the blemish. You're trying to apply the pressure from *underneath* the blackhead.
- Do not over wash your face. Some people are under the impression that the more they wash, the better chance they have of getting rid of blackheads. This is just a myth. Washing your face with soap one or two times a day is plenty.
- Overall, you can start the road to clearer skin by following the 5 tips above and get rid of the blackheads.
Only attempt this once or twice. If it does not "pop", you may bruise the skin, make the blackhead worse, and could cause scarring.
PORE STRIPS: Using pore strips to remove blackheads is not recommended for many reasons:
* The warnings on the box tell you not to use them on swollen, irritated, sunburned skin; not to use them on excessively dry skin; and not to use them on any area other than the nose. Also, the warnings state that if the strip is too difficult to remove, you should add water and remove carefully.
* Removing the superficial blackheads, along with some healthy skin, will only help temporarily.
* Repeated use of pore strips can cause irritation and future breakouts.
* The adhesive on the strips can tear or injure the skin, especially if you are using an acne medication such as those listed above, or if you naturally have thin skin due to psoriasis, rosacea, or seborrhea.
Vacuum blackhead removers and blackhead extractors are not recommended for the same reasons as the pore strips. Because blackheads are caused by excessive oil production clogging the pores, the most effective way to get rid of blackheads is to control oil on the face by using mild cleansers and by balancing your hormones.
Blackhead Prevention
There are many things that you can do to prevent blackheads from appearing on your face. Most involve cleansing and some require the use of medications.
- Avoid using creamy, greasy, and thick (emollient) products. This alone will greatly lessen your chances of sprouting blackheads.
- Use a gentle and water-soluble cleanser.
- DO NOT use bar soap!!! The ingredients that hold soap in a bar form can clog the pores in your skin. They can also cause skin cells to flake off prematurely and clog the pores. If you have dry skin you will need to use a cleanser that has a bit of moisturizer in it, but be careful! The excess moisturizers can cause an increase in oil on your skin.
- Exfoliate to eliminate dead skin cells. If there are no skin cells to clog the pores, the natural oil is able to flow through freely. Exfoliation also removes the built up dead cells from inside the pores that cause them to become misshapen and more-easily clogged. Using an exfoliant that contains 1% or 2% beta hydroxide acids (BHA or Salicylic Acid) will penetrate the lining of the pore. If you are unable to use BHAs, you could use products containing alpha hydroxide acids (AHA), however these acids are only good for surface exfoliation because they do not penetrate the pore lining.
- Wash your face Visit your dermatologist. Retinoids, which are a form of Vitamin A, can help regulate the pore shape which will keep oil flowing normally. The most common retinoids are tretinoin and adapalene, found in prescriptions such as Avita, Renova, Retin-A, Tazorac, and Differin.
- Other medications. Hormone blockers and low-dose birth control pills can lower levels of androgen's (the male hormone) and Accutane should be discussed with your physician in severe cases of oily skin and breakouts.
This How To Get Rid Of Blackheads | How to Remove Blackheads tutorial is provided for general information only, and should not be treated as a substitute for the medical advice of your own doctor or any other health care professional. Always consult your own doctor if you're in any way concerned about your health.
