Eliminating Blackheads

A good skin regime is necessary for smooth, even, blemish-free skin. And there are millions of products on the market to help people achieve this fresh, smooth, younger looking skin. However, many individuals have difficulty finding the right method for eliminating blackheads.

What Are Blackheads?

Blackheads are blemishes on the skin that develop in the pores and hair follicles. Blackheads, also known as comedones, develop when the opening surrounding a hair follicle becomes filled with sebum (a substance produced by the sebaceous glands of the skin), dirt, and sloughed off dead skin cells. This mixture forms in the pore or opening, chemically reacts with the air and oxidises the melanin in the skin so that it forms a dark, black colour.

Blackheads do not usually appear as raised bumps; instead they sit at skin level or below the surface. They are most noticeable because of the dark colour and sometimes large circumference.

Skin Care Products that Eliminate Blackheads

The first defence against blackheads is a good skin care regime that includes exfoliation. Lotions and cleansers that contain alpha hydroxyl acids can be applied to remove dead skin cells and reduce the chances of build-up that can clog pores. Moisturisers, lotions, and cleansers that contain Retin-A, salicylic acids, or benzoyl peroxide also work to exfoliate the skin, remove dead skin cells, and help eliminate clogged pores and build-up.

When using any of these products it is important to note that you should be extremely gentle when massaging your skin. Apply the cleanser, lotion, or moisturiser with a damp cloth or the tips of your fingers and gently scrub in a circular motion. Never use excessive force or pressure since this can further damage the skin cells and cause the cells to block more pores resulting in increased blackheads.

Manually Removing Blackheads

If you follow a good skin cleansing regime and still have a problem with blackheads you may need to have them manually removed. You can remove blackheads at home or you can schedule an appointment with a dermatologist.

To remove blackheads at home you can either purchase a pore strip or use your fingers to gently squeeze the build-up from the pores. Pore strips are a blackhead-fighting product currently on the market under many brand names. These strips are coated with an adhesive material. When the strip is pressed against your skin the adhesive adheres to the build-up in the pores and as the strip is ripped away from the skin the blackhead is lifted out of the pore. These strips work very well at removing blackheads from even surfaces such as the cheeks or forehead but can be painful to use. If you have blackheads around your nose, or if the strips are too painful for you, you may want to remove the build-up with your fingers. To do this start with clean dry hands and using a clean clothe or tissue place your fingertips on either side of the blackhead and squeeze gently until the blackhead is pushed to the surface. Wipe the build-up away and then cleanse and moisturise your skin as usual.

If you have numerous blackheads to remove or are having problems removing the blemishes yourself, you may need to see a dermatologist. Dermatologists use a variety of techniques and chemicals to remove blackheads and treat the skin in order to reduce their occurrence. These procedures are very effective, however they can be painful and somewhat expensive.

Blackheads can be frustrating but once you have the know-how to control the problem eliminating them and maintaining clear-looking skin will be a breeze.