What is a blackhead?
Regularly seen on the neck, face, chest and back, blackheads are skin conditions caused by irritation of hair follicles and excessive sebum production.
From a physical point of view, blackheads appear like pimples. They are open bumps under the skin. These bumps are filled with oil and dead skin. The black observed on these bumps is due to the reflection of light on the follicles which are the cause of the black spots observed.
These skin conditions affect people of all ages. However, they are more accentuated in adolescents and people who are experiencing hormonal changes. However, rest assured, it is entirely possible and normal to have them after 30 years.
Some research results have proven that blackheads affect everyone at least once in their life. However, it is among young people that we see the highest rate of affection. In adults, there is a proportion of 10 to 20% affected.
Since blackheads are not illnesses as such, they cannot affect your physical health. However, it is mainly from an aesthetic point of view that this poses a problem, and it is for this reason that we are writing this article.
How and why do blackheads appear?
Blackheads often occur when the opening of the skin follicle becomes blocked. It should be remembered that a follicle is a small bag from which hair grows. In addition to the hair, this small sac also contains a gland called the sebaceous gland. It is the latter which is at the origin of the production of sebum.
Sebum is an oil that helps the skin stay soft on a regular basis. So how does the blackhead form?
Sometimes, dead cells can accumulate at the opening of the skin follicle. This buildup forms a bump called a comedo. From this point on, the formation of the blackhead will depend on whether the bump remains open or closed.
When the top of the bump is closed, it is called the whitehead. When the latter remains open, it is called a blackhead.
Many factors can increase the risk of developing blackheads. Among these, we have:
- Consumption of medications such as corticosteroids, androgens and lithium;
- High sebum production;
- The accumulation of certain types of bacteria on the skin;
- Hormonal changes;
- Irritation of hair cells;
According to some opinions, the type of food and drink consumed can also be the cause. The latter believe that the consumption of dairy products and sugary foods such as carbohydrates can be triggers. However, researchers do not find a strong link between these foods and the appearance of blackheads.
It should be noted that there are two types of blackheads: acne-related blackheads and enlarged pore-related blackheads.
Blackheads linked to acne
Acne-related blackheads generally form during pregnancy, following contraceptive use or improper cleansing of the skin. So how does acne blackhead form? These are caused by an accumulation of sebum. As we mentioned above, the role of sebum is to protect the skin by keeping it regularly soft. However, excess secretion of this substance causes the creation of a microcyst which turns black on contact with air. For these types of blackheads, you don’t need to do anything to combat them. In fact, they often disappear on their own. So be careful, don’t try to pierce them with your fingers, you risk making the situation worse.
Blackheads linked to enlarged pores
As their name suggests, enlarged pore blackheads form as a result of pore dilation. It can happen that pores dilate due to high sebum production, the effect of age or inadequate cleansing of the skin.
- Being open due to expansion, these pores can become clogged by impurities or pollution. It is the accumulation of this waste which is the cause of the formation of blackheads.
- As we mentioned above, acne-related blackheads disappear on their own. But this is not the case for those which appear following the dilation of pores. For the latter, you must apply treatments that will exfoliate them, then cleanse the skin deeply and treat enlarged pores.
How to treat blackheads?
To successfully treat blackheads effectively, you must opt for a treatment that respects your skin. Above all, you should avoid treatment methods that can cause even more harm to your skin. This is why it is important to note what to do and what not to do to get a better result.
What to avoid
First of all, it is good to know that the dermatologist or the beautician are the best people for the treatment of blackheads. However, if you opt for home treatment, here is what you should avoid doing:
- Avoid using blackhead patches or injections which can damage your skin;
Avoid using suction devices Treatment methods that advocate the use of suction devices to extract sebum are at first glance very attractive. However, their practice can cause more harm than good to the skin. Indeed, the products used by this method can be harmful to the skin or even cause cracks in the blood vessels.
- Avoid manual extractions
Many people are always tempted to treat their blackhead at home. Moreover, this is what many do by extracting their blackhead with their hands. This way of doing things, which at first glance seems to be very practical, is not at all recommended.
Indeed, manual extraction of the blackhead could lead to rupture of the follicle and result in the formation of a cyst. The cyst can cause a much more serious skin infection.
- Use products with caution
When used incorrectly, anti-blackhead patches and stripping and drying masks can irritate and damage the skin.
- Also avoid using products that will attack your skin such as alcohol-based solutions;
- Adopt good personal hygiene and regularly take care of your skin by exfoliating;
Above all, avoid exposing yourself to the sun as often as possible. Indeed, long exposure to the sun has the effect of thickening the surface layer of the skin. This leads to an accumulation of sebum which contributes to the formation of blackheads, Many people who have blackheads always tend to want to pinch them with their nails. This is not recommended at all. Because by doing this, you can leave scars and cause further damage to your skin.
What to do
However, it should be noted that there are many products that can exfoliate and soften the skin to get rid of blackheads.
If you decide to carry out your treatment yourself at home without going to the dermatologist, you should first make the necessary arrangements so that the hygienic conditions are perfect during the treatment.
For example, you must wash your hands and disinfect the area to be treated with an antiseptic solution. Bring a clean tissue that you will use to collect the waste evacuated when you squeeze the blackheads.
To make your task easier, you must apply a salicylic acid solution to the area to be treated a few days before the treatment. It will soften the blackheads before treatment.
Once you have made the necessary arrangements, you can safely use the methods below to treat your blackheads.
- Use a skin brush to get rid of blackheads
- A soft-bristled skin brush can help you get rid of dead cells on your skin. However,
- dermatologists recommend using it occasionally. Likewise, you should avoid using
- brushes with hard bristles which can attack the skin.
However, it must be recognized that skin brushes make it easy to exfoliate dead cells.
Using Salicylic Acid to Get Rid of Blackheads Salicylic acid is a powerful active ingredient that helps treat whiteheads and blackheads. Thanks to its anti imperfection properties, it easily breaks down all substances that clog pores. Thus, it helps get rid of excess oil and dead skin cells.
In addition to this, products containing salicylic acid also help get rid of daily dirt and makeup deposits.
Even if you’re used to washing your face twice a day, make the effort to use it at least once a day. For a start, you can only use it in the evening. This is to see how your skin behaves with the product. Once you notice that your skin reacts favorably to it, apply it in the morning and evening.
If you have sensitive skin, as soon as you first notice the unwanted effects of the product, you must stop using it immediately.
Use a natural cream mask to treat your blackheads effectively
Whatever the ailment or disease that may affect you, natural treatment has always been the most popular compared to other forms of treatment because it does not cause side effects.
It is with this logic that the “Dot is not an option” solution was developed. By using it as a mask to treat your blackheads, you will be more than satisfied with the results it will give you.
Indeed is a mask with a healthy and natural formula that does not harm the skin. If you are looking for a complete solution to get rid of your blackheads, thanks to its dual action, this solution will allow you to clean and exfoliate your skin in depth. In fact, it helps you release all the impurities it contains and clean all the blackheads, even the most embedded ones under the skin.
Paste is not only effective against blackheads. The latter also acts on unsightly spots. Indeed, its astringent properties allow it to dry the tissues and in turn facilitate healing.
How should be used to make the most of these properties?
First of all, it should be remembered that this paste texture mask is a 99% natural and vegan product. As we have already pointed out, you do not have to fear any side effects whatsoever. That said, to benefit from the benefits that this product can provide you, follow the instructions defined below:
Apply a large dab of the paste texture as a mask to the area you want to treat. Leave on for 5 minutes then rinse thoroughly with clean water. On contact with water, you will notice that the paste will transform into milk allowing ultra-easy rinsing, leaving skin soft and luminous.By applying it regularly, you will notice a general improvement in your skin and a disappearance of blackheads.
Other natural solutions you can also get rid of blackheads with natural homemade solutions. In fact, there is a whole range. However, we have selected those that are the most effective. These are treatments made from bicarbonate, lemon and egg white.
Before proceeding with one of these treatments, you must first take a steam bath to open the pores. What does it consist on ? It simply involves putting boiling water in a container and leaning over it.
As you do this, place a towel over your head to prevent steam from escaping. Hold this position for a few minutes. After finishing, dry your face by gently dabbing the towel on it. Once finished, you can proceed with one of the natural treatments below:
- Treatment based on bicarbonate
You can also try to get rid of blackheads on your skin by using a mixed solution of baking soda and lemon. For instructions, mix two tablespoons of baking powder with half a lemon juice. The mixture will allow you to obtain a thick paste.Apply the paste to the area to be treated and let it sit for twenty minutes before rinsing with cold water. Do it every day for a week.
- Treat blackheads with lemon
Besides the fact that lemon can serve as a base ingredient for other treatments, you can also use it alone without having to mix it with another product. It should be noted that lemon has virtues that can be very beneficial for the skin.
For the treatment of blackheads, here are the instructions to follow:
- Extract the lemon juice into a container that can be stored in the fridge;
- Apply the juice to the area to be treated using cotton;
- Once applied, let it dry. Do it like this every evening before going to bed;
