Ever wondered what causes blackheads and need to know what to do to remove them from the roots? Well, then hitch a ride with me let’s get more details out! If you are like me then I’m sure you take a keen interest in any distortions or incidence that could give your face or any other part of your skin blemishes and that means you should have interest in knowing what causes blackheads.
It’s quite intriguing as facts from the American Academy of Dermatology indicates that blackheads form one of the most common skin disorders affecting close to 50 million persons in the United States.
1) What Are Blackheads?
Blackheads refer to the presence of dead skin cells on the face, neck and more caused by a disorder of the sebaceous gland. It is a mild type of acne that blocks the hair follicle and appearing in the form of a black small black lesion or bump.
It is a type of comedo, an oily substance known as sebum secreted during oil production through the sebaceous gland to the surface of the skin. Blackheads appear as dark or yellowish and made of oxidized melanin. Though blackheads do not come as severe acne but could be quite embarrassing and inconveniencing to a lot of persons, particularly teens.
2) What Causes Blackheads?
What causes blackheads on nose, face, and neck could vary.
A. Oil Glands Obstruction
Mostly the pores on the skin surface give room for hair follicles to grow out and due to the secretion of sebum from the oil glands. The oil from the sebaceous gland tends to become exposed to air or oxygen. Once the pores become plugged due to dead skin cells they become an open comedone or blackheads form with dark or yellowish color on the skin surface.
B. Hormonal Changes
People experience hormonal adjustments have an increased chance of experiencing blackheads. Hormonal changes such as androgen at puberty can trigger production of more sebum from the sebaceous gland.
C. Cosmetic Products
Comedogenic, as well as cosmetic products containing alcohol, has the tendency to block the pores or hair follicles. They can make the skin too dry or block the pores leading to blackheads.
D. Tight-Fitting Wears
Tight-fitting clothes create humidity and could obstruct the pores leading to blackheads.
E. Shaving
Shaving with sharp objects affects the surface of the skin. It could also make the hair become sharp and bend backward thereby promoting not preventing blackheads.
F. Medical Causes
What causes blackheads medically include situations like Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) , Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS), stress and drugs that promote the speedy growth of skin cells. Also, birth control pill and other chemical peels, pregnancy, the menstrual cycle could cause blackheads in women. An individual who produces excess skin cells would likely experience dead skin cells on the surface of the skin resulting in blackheads.
G. Diet
Consumption of certain foods can make the secretion of sebum increased. Fatty foods in particular and processed meal plan do not help the body to rebuild or replenish its nutrients adequately.
3) What Causes Blackheads on Nose?
Natural the oil production level of your nose exceeds other parts of your face. The same volume of cream on other parts of your face, therefore, could be in excess on the nose leading to a clogging. Also, the hair follicles on your nose could become clogged due to the application of makeup and other skin care products.
RELATED: Blackheads In Ears? Causes And Treatments To Get Rid Of Them
4) Symptoms of Blackheads
You can find blackheads more around the areas where you have hair follicles. Areas to find blackheads include the face, neck, back, arms and shoulders. Blackheads do not become painful or inflamed like pimples.
Sebaceous filament share similarities with blackheads but they appear in groups on the nose. To avoid confusing sebaceous filament as blackheads they usually appear flat.
5) Blackheads Vs Whiteheads
Blackheads and Whiteheads refer to open and closed comedones while open comedones. Blackheads are open comedones and whiteheads refer to closed comedones. Whiteheads contain bacteria with an opening on the surface of the skin. Blackheads contain sebum with skin- white color bumps underneath the skin having big pores. The presence of melanin causes the sebum to oxidize and turns black to clog the pores. Whitehead contains a bacteria that remain non-oxidized therefore remains white.
6) How to Treat Blackheads: To Remove Blackheads from the Roots
Blackhead Treatment mostly involves procedures for blackheads removal from the root such that it could be eliminated entirely.
However, here is how to prevent blackheads as well as for blackheads or acne treatment. Most of these procedures will work when trying to know how to prevent blackheads or for blackheads treatment for those currently experience one.
A. Over-The-Counter Treatment
Content: Salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide have cleansing and anti-microbial properties.
Benefits: acne treatment, removes dead skin cells and clogging.
Procedures: Check your local store for products containing salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxides like creams and facial wash products.
B. Comedone Extractor
Benefits: removes blackheads manually
Procedures: Get a comedone extractor for the job. First, use a disinfectant to sterilize the extractor and your skin. Use a warm towel to steam your face or skin and then looking into a mirror gently apply pressure on the blackhead with the comedone extractor. If it pops then clean with a cotton ball but if not, do not apply much pressure just leaves it alone.
C. Exfoliation & Scrubbing Procedures
Baking Soda
Content: Contains anti-microbial properties.
Benefits: Eliminates dead skin cells, helps circulation and makes skin look shiny and
healthy
Procedures: Create a paste by mixing two tablespoons of baking soda in a bowl of water and massage the paste gently on the affected surface of the skin. Leave paste for five to ten minutes and rinse with warm water. Repeat twice weekly. You could add apple cider vinegar to the mixture for increased results.
D. Using Natural Cleansers
Cleansing the surface of the skin using fragrance-free and non-skin sensitive products to avoid a dry skin and keep opens free could be beneficial against blackheads. It helps to reduce the oil production on the surface of the skin. But you could also try out some natural cleansers readily available to you.
E. Coconut Oil Or Castor Oil
Content: Contains lauric acid with anti-microbial properties.
Benefits: Replenishes the skin and helps eliminate dead skin cells.
Procedures: Apply a few drops of coconut oil on the skin surface, massage and leave for 15-20 minutes every night.
F. Cleanser: Minty toothpaste
Content: Contains anti-microbial properties.
Benefits: Opens clogged pores and kill bacteria.
Procedures: Mix a proportionate amount of water, and mint toothpaste and ice cube and apply on affected area. Leave for five minutes and using a circular pattern massage for some minutes before rinsing with warm water. Rub an ice cube on the affected area afterward.
G. Apple Cider Vinegar
Content: Contains anti-microbial properties.
Benefits: Opens clogged pores and kill bacteria.
Procedures: Dip a cotton ball into apple cider vinegar and massage the blackheads and allow to dry for 10 minutes. Wash with warm water afterward. Use this measure daily.
H. Face Steaming Method
Content: Contains anti-microbial properties.
Benefits: Opens clogged pores, aids circulation and kill bacteria.
Procedures: Get a bowl of hot water, place a towel over your head and then ensure the steam directly is on your face. Do not allow the steam to escape. It should last for one-to-two minute. Repeat the process thrice in a row.
7) Tips for Preventing Blackheads
A. Clogging of the pores is what causes blackheads and keeping the skin hydrated by drinking water can help the skin a lot.
B. Squeezing or scrubbing the surface of the skin too hard will not help rid of blackheads but worsen blackheads.
C. Do not use oil-based or alcohol-based skin care products on blackheads.
D. Avoid wearing tight clothing or staying in a humid environment.
E. Cleansing the skin too often can make the skin too dry and become problematic.
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