Blackheads are clogged pores that result from overproduction of skin oil, or sebum, in combination with dirt, bacteria, cosmetics and dead skin cells. During the teenage years, when concentrations of hormones in the body increase, it is common to see clusters of blackheads on the face, particularly on the nose and in the creases between the nose and cheeks. MayoClinic.com reports that adults can also experience an increase in blackheads during times of hormone surges, such as menstruation or pregnancy.
Identifying Blackheads
Blackheads look like tiny, dark pinpricks on the skin. They tend to occur in clusters and may distend the pores. Blackheads are common on other parts of the body rich in sebaceous glands, such as the chin, hairline, chest or back. According to MayoClinic.com, the medical name for a blackhead is an open comedone, with pus-filled whiteheads being known as closed comedones. A blackhead can become a whitehead if infected with bacteria.
Facial Steam
You can loosen blackheads by steaming your face, making them easier to remove. You can give yourself a facial by boiling a pot of water and leaning 1 to 2 feet above the pot with a towel over your head for 10 to 15 minutes. The steam opens your pores and softens blackheads so they can be more easily squeezed out. Those with pimples may wish to add tea tree oil to the boiling water, as its natural antibacterial and antiseptic properties can help relieve acne.
Home Remedies
Home remedy website GrannyMed.com suggests scooping the pulp from a fresh tomato and using it as a mask, harnessing the blackhead-fighting properties of citric acid. After 20 minutes, the mask can be washed off and blackheads squeezed from the skin. Citric acid from lime or lemon juice used as toner has a similar effect. Another home remedy is iodine mixed with hot water and Epsom salt. The solution is applied to blackheads with a cotton ball and allowed to sit on the skin and draw blackheads to the surface. These treatments work similarly to steaming in that they soften and loosen blackheads.
Blackhead Extraction
Available in pharmacies and beauty supply stores, blackhead removal tools range from from small metal loops to larger suction devices. According to Carefair.com, one common type of blackhead removal tool is a small, open metal cone with a handle. Centering the blackhead in the opening of the cone and pressing the handle forces the blackhead from the skin. Blackheads can also be extracted by wrapping the tips of your index fingers in tissue and gently squeezing after steaming or using a home remedy to loosen them.
Considerations
You can scar your skin if you attempt to extract blackheads without softening them first. It is also possible to transmit bacteria from a freshly popped pimple or dirty hands, which can inflame a blackhead into a full-blown pimple. If home remedies and lifestyle changes do not alleviate your blackheads, a dermatologist can prescribe oral medications or topical treatments that may prove more effective than natural remedies.
Member Comments