Blackheads on Shoulders

Blackheads are a form of acne where the clogged hair follicle has not sealed over and filled with pus to form a pimple. Instead, the mixture of oils, dead skin cells and bacteria oxidize in the air and turn black in color. Blackheads are caused by over-active sebaceous glands beneath the pores producing too much sebum oil, the oil that lubricates the skin. Effective treatments exist to help you with blackheads on your shoulders.

Body Acne

Blackheads can form on any area of your body that has sebaceous glands. In fact, the soles of your feet and the palms of your hands are the only places that do not have these glands. According to Acne.org, the skin on your body is thicker and the pores are bigger compared to those of your face, so when acne develops on your body, it can be more severe.

Tea Tree Oil

The effectiveness of natural treatments for acne is rather speculative, and MayoClinic.com notes this is the case for tea tree oil, too. However, in a study of 119 people suffering from acne, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center, a 5-percent tea tree oil gel was as effective at clearing up acne as the benzoyl peroxide. To clear up blackheads on the shoulders, apply tea tree oil topically three times daily, notes ''Reader's Digest: 1001 Home Remedies.''

Over-the-Counter

Benzoyl peroxide can eliminate shoulder and body blackheads by unclogging the pores of dirt and debris. According to Acne.com, benzoyl peroxide can also help regulate oil production in the sebaceous glands, therefore preventing further outbreaks. It can be found in many over-the-counter products for acne and also in prescription strength from your doctor.

Application

You can beat your shoulder blackheads by using this three-step regimen recommended by Acne.org. First, use a standard cleansing tonic to rid the skin's surface of excess oils. Then apply a benzoyl peroxide product with a strength of 2.5 percent. After this has unclogged the pores, apply a 10-percent strength alpha-hydroxy-acid solution to exfoliate the dead skin cells, and therefore prevent further blockages that can result in blackheads.

Considerations

For severe outbreaks of blackheads, or acne in general, talk to your doctor about topical retinoids, prescription treatments that are more aggressive at cleansing the pores.