What Exactly Are Blackheads And How To Remove Them ?

Do you feel so concerned about the way you look sometimes just because of those little blackheads? This article is for you. You do not have to stay indoors all day anymore. Blackheads can be very stubborn and annoying that you feel like there is nothing you can do about it after trying several skin care methods. Here is the good news, you do not need to feel that way anymore. Blackheads can be cured using some simple tips which are present in this article.

Before getting into how to cure blackheads, you need to know what blackheads are.

1- What exactly are blackheads?

Blackheads are an oxidized blend of dead skin cells and oil. They form when pores become bunged up with a combination of dead skin cells and excess oil. When exposed to air, they turn black thereby affecting our facial looks and beauty. Unlike whiteheads, which create closed pores, blackheads have open surfaces, which create an oxidation that is dark in color. You may feel like pinching out this black plug, but doing that is dangerous and can cause unnecessary scars or some other damage to your skin. 

Blackheads are usually formed on the face, but they can also appear on your back, chest, neck, arms and shoulders. Technically, it is called an open comedone not blackhead. 

Now, what are the symptoms of the notorious blackheads?

2- Symptoms of blackheads

You can easily recognize blackheads on the skin because of their color. They are dark and a little bit raised, but they are not as painful as pimples because they are not inflamed. Pimples form when bacteria enter the blockage in the hair gland, causing redness and inflammation.

3- Treatments for Blackheads

There are several  acne medications available at drug and grocery stores or online without a prescription. They are often available in cream, gel, and pad form and are applied directly on the skin. They kill bacteria, dry excess oil, and force the skin to shed dead skin cells.

4- Prescription medications

Most medications that have vitamin A in them will prevent the formation of plugs in your hair follicles and help promote more rapid turnover of skin cells. These medications are applied directly to your skin and your doctor may also prescribe another type of medication that contains benzoyl peroxide and antibiotics. If you have pimples or acne cysts in addition to your blackheads, this type of medication may particularly be helpful.

5- Manual removal 

Dermatologists often use a special instrument called a round loop extractor to remove the blackhead causing plug. After the plug opens a little, the doctor applies pressure with the extractor to remove the clog. 

You can actually remove the blackheads yourself by following these tips :

1 Do not just leave your blackheads open once they are cleared. Try to wash it with some cold or warm water to seal them back up.

2 In more serious cases, get a removal cream. Retinoids dissolve pores and blackheads by reducing the stickiness of the cells that clog them. This cream can also improve the rate of skin renewal.

3 Always read prescribed drugs labels carefully.

4 If you are doing a DIY extraction, you should never use your nails, which can puncture the skin. Being gentle is quite important. Picking, scratching or using nails to extract, can scar you permanently. You should place your hands wider than the blackhead, so that your hands won't be directly on them when you squeeze.

5 We would recommend to avoid any benzoyl peroxide product that pretends to treat acne since this substance does not work with all kinds of acne. Although they reduce the swelling, blackheads are not considered inflammatory. So this product might just aggravate your skin.

6 Use a face mask. There are tons of different masks that you can use to remove pimples and cleanse pores. And there is even a face mask for blackheads specifically.  You should use one for your blackheads too.

7 To remove blackheads effectively, you need to exfoliate. Exfoliating helps to remove the dead skin cells and replacing them with new ones.

Getting rid of blackheads can be easier than you thought but a simple visit to your dermatologist can help you remove them in a safe way.