How To Get Rid Of Blackheads For Good
Blackheads are a type of acne. They are slightly raised and dark in color. People who have oily skin are more prone to having blackheads. However, anyone can get them. Blackheads are not inflamed so they are not painful. Although mild, they can cause many people stress due to their obvious color. Nothing is more annoying than seeing the black specks on the face.
When our pores are blocked with oil and dead skin, blackheads are formed. These stubborn specks appear anywhere on the body. Blackheads are most commonly found in areas where there are dead skin cells and natural oil is produced. Some of the common areas where blackheads appear include:-
- Nose
- Chin
- Under the eye
- Cheeks
- Back of the neck
- Back
Why do you get blackheads?
There are several reasons why blackheads appear. The main culprit is usually excessive oil production. This can be due to hormones or genetic factors. People with oily skin naturally are more prone to getting blackheads. Other reasons include some skincare products that stop the flow of air. These products are to keep the moisture in. As such, pores will clog especially for those with oily skin types.
Can You Pop The Blackheads?
Although it’s satisfying to see them coming out when you squeeze, it is not a good idea to do it. This may cause scarring and lead to larger pores. When you use your hands to squeeze them, there’s a high chance of adding bacteria to the area.
Do Blackheads Go Away On Their Own?
Don’t we all wish that blackheads can go away on their own? Well, smaller one that are on the surface of the skin can probably do that. Deep comedones, often require extraction. Usually the larger the blackheads, the deeper they are.
Ways To Treat Blackheads
There are two things to treat blackheads. Use recommended skincare products at home or see a dermatologist. Which treatment is best will depend on your skin type. You can keep a lookout for some over-the-counter treatments.
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Salicylic acid for mild blackheads
Salicylic acid can help to remove excess oil. This product can also exfoliate the cells from the skin surface. An effective way to use salicylic acid is to try a gentle face scrub. It’s like using double exfoliation power to combat blackheads. The combination of exfoliation from the scrub and chemicals from salicylic acid can help to clear the pores. It’s not advisable to scrub daily. The rule of thumb is to scrube three times a week if you have oily skin. For sensitive skin, then scrub once a week.
Retinol for more stubborn skin
Retinol is also used to treat blackheads as well as clogged pores. It helps to reduce the stickiness of the cells that clog pores. Retinol also help to speed up the rate of regenerating skin.
Oral Medication for severe cases
If topical medication doesn’t work, then the dermatologist may prescribe oral medication to decrease oil production. This can help to treat blackheads effectively.
Remember to avoid picking and squeezing blackheads to extract them. Using pore strips may remove the gunk temporarily, but they won’t give lasting results. It’s best to use skincare products mentioned above to exfoliate dead skin cells and reduce oil production.
