How To Get Ride Of Blackheads
When you hear the phrase “blackheads”, you might think of teenage skin prone to breakouts or unhealthy skin not properly cleaned. However, the simple truth is that almost everyone has or gets blackheads. According to a study printed in Scientific American, whether we have good skin or not is “More often than not, for as much as a decade or longer from the age of 15, people are going to have at least some blackheads and pimples to deal with, if not full-blown acne…[And even more importantly] Blackheads and pimples are only skin conditions, caused by oil and a specific bacterium.”
What Are Blackheads:
Blackheads are dark and slightly raised. Although blackheads are a mild form of acne, blackheads sometimes cause more psychological stress than other skin issues because of their obvious color! In addition to its poor appearance, blackheads also pop out on the back, chest, neck, arms and shoulders, and face.
Blackheads appear when the sebaceous glands in the skin secrete too much natural oil or sebum. Excess sebum mixes with dead skin cells and gets trapped in our pores. Exposure to air will oxidize the mixture and turn it black, which is what gives blackheads a characteristic appearance.
Blackheads are one of two types of acne. Blackhead acne refers to open comedones, where the clogged pores are open to the air on the skin surface. Unlike pimples, blackheads are not painful because there is less inflammation that acne blocks.
In other words, blackheads are clogged pores full of oil that has oxidized and turned a darker color. Again, as that report explained, “Blackheads do not mean that skin is clogged with dirt, and … lesser hygiene. Although reducing oil gets at the problem, very abrasive scrubbing can damage the skin…”
Keep in mind that we get blackheads at any age, and often when our skin begins to lose its elasticity. After all, a hair follicle or pore must be able to remain firm and tightly closed. Yet, when skin’s elasticity begins to fade, the pores also can stretch far more readily. This can allow more sebum to be produced and pore size to become far more pronounced. It is why you will want to follow the advice of experts who recommend a “chemical exfoliant because it’s oil-soluble and can pass through the sebum into the pore… natural clay masks… because of their ability to draw oil out of the skin” along with toners and pore minimizers to complete the process.
What Causes Blackheads
- The main cause of acne (including blackheads) is hormonal changes in the body, which causes excessive oil production in the pores. This is a natural process, especially in adolescence, which explains why so many teenagers have blackheads.
- Androgen can cause increased sebum secretion and a higher turnover rate of skin cells around puberty. Both boys and girls experience higher levels of androgens during adolescence.
- Using heavy cosmetics that block or clog the pores
- High humidity in the surrounding environment
How To Remove Blackheads - How To Treat Blackheads
First, don’t try to squeeze the blackheads yourself. For the first treatment try to go to a professional licensed esthetician who is trained to remove blackheads, then after your remove what you already have on your skin, you can begin with below products to prevent future blackheads formation.
The market is packed with products promising to eliminate blackheads, but unless they focus on the issue of removing the built-up oil and tightening the pores, the problem will return quickly.
Below are several potent solutions to blackheads and they will not only eliminate the issue but also improve overall skin tone and appearance.
PETER THOMAS ROTH Pumpkin Enzyme Mask Enzymatic Dermal Resurfacer
This mask unclogs the pores and uses enzymes to attract dirt and impurities from deep in the pores. It also allows you to peel away faded and dull skin, helping to eliminate pigmentation issues and dark spots. With just a 15-minute treatment once per week, this mask (suited to all skin types and complexions) can almost permanently eliminate the problem of blackheads.
Estee Lauder Idealist Pore Minimizing Skin Refinisher
After you have cleansed and emptied the pores of debris, you can begin to tighten them and reduce the signs of aging that they can exacerbate. Estee Lauder Pore Minimizing prevents further buildup of dirt and bacteria while it also tightens the skin and gives it a smoother and far more refined texture – much like you had in your earlier years.
Skinceuticals Glycolic 10 Renew Overnight
Of course, as that report also said, a gentle peel can work wonders where blackheads and skin condition are concerned. This glycolic acid cream is uses a buffered acid to generate amazing skin renewal. However, it also helps your skin to shed the outermost layers of dead cells, dirt, and debris. This means that you can cleanse the pores and give the skin that smoother and healthier look in one step.
Dr. Denese Firming Facial MicroDermabrasion Cream
Exfoliated is also suggested and this product uses smooth and coated beads that offer no irritation but work the same way that the coarser and more gritty products do. It is a skin polishing formula that eliminates dead cells on the surface and gets deep into pores to capture dirt and impurities at the same time. By revealing the new cells below, it also ensures that the older cells are eliminated, as well as the built-up sebum and oils that cause blackheads.
The Importance of Cleansing and Toning
Though the experts tout the use of peels and other specialized treatments, they typically encourage a daily cleansing and toning routine as another sure-fire way to eliminate the problems with blackheads. However, it is of the utmost importance to choose cleansers and toners based on your skin type. Toners are often given a bad reputation because they are viewed as astringents. This, however, is a misunderstanding. There are astringent products, and there are carefully formulated toners.
The formulated toners work wonders for deep cleaning and tightening your pores. They are able to balance the pH of the skin, eliminate the oil, dirt and other impurities that even a vigorous cleansing often fails to do, and most help to minimize the pores, too. As said, the key is to select the one for your specific skin type and pair it with a matching cleanser. We suggest the following toners:
Origins Zero Oil Pore Purifying Toner
This is a balancing toner, meaning it ensures a good pH, oil control, and a matte finish. It is noted for its ability to soothe the skin and shrink pores. Though described as ideal for oily skin, it can be used by most skin types to control blackheads.
Now you know the dirty details about blackheads, and you can get started on an all-new skincare regimen to get them under control and out of the way of your healthy and bright complexion.
Check the other posts about over exfoliating the skin and mud & clay skin masks
