WHAT ARE BLACKHEADS, WHAT ARE THE CAUSES AND WHAT CAN YOU DO TO TREAT THEM?

Blackheads are said to be the first stage in acne. They can develop into a pimple and are formed before bacteria invade the pores of the patient's skin. Certain hormones can overstimulate the sebaceous glands causing an overproduction of sebum when some reach puberty.

Sebum is designed to lubricate the hair and skin and usually drains out of the pore opening on the surface. Each follicle contains one hair and a sebaceous gland that produces sebum. Sometimes the sebum becomes blocked with dead skin cells and bacteria begin to accumulate. If the buildup of bacteria and sebum has no opening to the surface of the skin it is called a whitehead.  A blackhead forms if the pore opens to the surface allowing air to enter.

Sebum contains melanin, a pigment. It is the same substance that gives skin its color. Melanin turns dark (oxidizes) when exposed to air. That is why blackheads are dark. The dark color does not mean they are dirty, and scrubbing does not remove them.

Several conditions and circumstances can cause blackheads, or make them worse, such as the use of topical oils and make up. Choose oil-free makeup, lotions and sunscreens to avoid making your problem worse.I recommend washing your face when you wake up and before you go to bed to remove oil buildup that can cause blackheads.  Even if you are oil, washing more than twice each ay can irritate your skin and make your skin produce more oil. You can use either a benzoyl peroxide or salicylic cleanser to wash your face.  These cleansers work by killing bacteria, drying excess oil and forcing the skin to shed dead skin cells. Leave on topical benzoyl peroxides and salicylic acid can also help.

I like to use exfoliating scrubs and masks to remove dead skin cells from my face to help reduce blackheads.  I love Apriori Beauty’s Pure Detox Clay Masque, www.aprioribeauty.com/bydana

 

If over-the-counter treatment doesn’t improve your acne, your doctor may suggest that you use stronger prescription medications. Medications that contain vitamin A, such as tretinoin, tazarotene, and adapalene keep plugs from forming in the hair follicles and promote more rapid turnover of skin cells. These medications are applied directly to your skin. Your doctor may also prescribe another type of topical medication that contains benzoyl peroxide and antibiotics. This type of medication may be particularly helpful if you have pimples or acne cysts in addition to blackheads.

An esthetician can help by removing the blackheads through extractions manually.  Many dermatologists office have an esthetician on staff, and some insurance companies pay for acne extractions.

Questions? Feel free to contact me at danaface12@yahoo.com.