Blackheads are small, blackish lesions that appear on your skin, most often on the chin and cheeks. They’re a separate characteristic of acne, though they can show up without the usual indicators of acne being present as well. They typically contain a melanized version of keratin, the protein that’s found in human skin. The amount of melanin that’s present depends upon a number of factors, including the person’s genes and his or her skin type. People with dark hair and fair skin are more likely to have blackheads than people with red hair and tan skin.
Another reason that people get blackheads is that they tend to be worse at clearing up than pimples. Blackheads occur when oil (sebum) builds up inside pores. In some cases, it’s the blackhead’s overproduction of oil that causes the problem, and not the oil itself. Over production of sebum can be caused by hormonal changes in your body. For example, during puberty and pregnancy, women produce more sebum than usual.
In addition to hormonal changes, there’s also a chemical called sebum that contributes to the look of blackheads. The excess sebum combines with dead skin cells to form comedones. There are basically two kinds of comedones – whiteheads and blackheads. In general, the more comedo you have, the worse your blackhead acne will look. However, just as with whiteheads, blackheads can be quite serious because they can contain bacteria, which can lead to more serious health problems down the line.
In some cases, blackheads can be very hard to get rid of. The key is to extract them using tools like a face scrraper or a loofah sponge. Unfortunately, if you squeeze a blackhead, you make the situation worse by irritating your skin and creating more trapped dirt. The easiest way to eliminate blackheads is to avoid squeezing them.
The other major cause of blackheads is the use of skin care products that contain high levels of oily ingredients. Most people only think of soap and shampoo when they’re discussing cleansing, but there are many other items in your regular household that can clog pores. Check the ingredients in your laundry detergent, shower gel, conditioner, and hand and bath soap. The average person uses these products probably once or twice a week. If you’re using these products frequently, you could be contributing to the problem of blackheads by introducing extra trapped dirt into your pores.
Another problem with blackhead removal is when people squeeze them. Squeezing doesn’t always work, and it can be very harsh on your skin. Because of this, many people choose to use natural methods of removing blackheads, like cucumber masks. Cucumbers have healing properties that work great against acne and blemishes. Not only will they remove excess oil from your face, they’ll also soothe and soften your skin at the same time.
Besides making squeezing blackheads harder, forcing them out of your skin can also harm your skin. Using chemical peels can remove natural oils from your skin which can encourage the growth of bacteria. In addition, using chemical peels can irritate your skin and make your skin look much worse than it did before you started. Chemical peels should only be used on acne prone areas. Also keep in mind that after using a chemical peel, you must not touch your eyes. Peeling can actually damage capillaries and lead to dark spots that are much worse than the blackhead you removed.
If you have oily skin and suffer from blackheads, you can easily remove them by following a few guidelines for your skincare routine. Taking the time to moisturize regularly will prevent your skin from becoming too dry, which can lead to irritation. Also, following a cleansing routine that removes dead skin cells and promotes the growth of new skin cells will help you fight against clogged pores and blackheads.