The journey of clean and healthy skin often goes through the road black of Blackheads. These tiny black spots are a common frustration; however, using the proper technique can provide effective and easy results.
The skincare world is full of products and techniques that help remove blackheads right within the vicinity of your home.
However, only some popularised methods are healthy, and since it is about your delicate skin, choosing the right way is essential.
Join us in this article as we explore the world of Blackheads, some of the best and worst removal tips, and more details.
What are Blackheads? And Causes
Blackheads are a type of acne, in fact, one of the most common forms of acne. These tiny, dark bumps appear when hair follicles clog with oil, dirt, and other impurities.
They often appear on the face, particularly on the nose and chin; however, they may appear in different areas with oil glands.
Blackheads are mainly ‘Black’ not due to dirt but because of melanin oxidation upon contact with the air.
Some of the common reasons for its occurrence include the following:
- Increased oil (sebum) production leads to clogged pores.
- Unshed dead skin cells that mix with oil block the hair follicles on the skin.
- Hormonal changes during puberty, menstruation, and pregnancy.
- Due to the usage of specific comedogenic skincare or cosmetic products that block the pores.
- Due to certain medications, particularly birth control pills, corticosteroids, or the ones influencing oil production.
- Genetic.
Best Ways to Remove Blackheads
First, let’s have a look at the best and the dermatologist-approved methods:
➡️ Gentle Cleansing and Exfoliation
Always use a mild, non-comedogenic face wash to clean your face twice daily. Doing so helps ripping off the dirt and dust and prevents excess oil from building up on the dead skin.
Follow it with regular face exfoliation (2 times a week) using a gentle exfoliant. Consider choosing exfoliants with ingredients like glycolic acid or salicylic acid.
➡️ Use Retinoids
Retinoids such as cosmetic retinol and prescription-based tretinoin promote cell turnover and prevent pore blockage. Using them may prevent and treat blackhead production.
➡️ Clay Masks
Use clay masks, ideally the ones with ingredients like bentonite and kaolin. By absorbing impurities and excess oil, these products help clean the pores.
➡️ Salicylic Acid Cleanser
Using salicylic acid cleanser regularly may exfoliate the pore lining, clearing out the debris and thus preventing blackhead formation.
➡️ Comedone Extractor
Although they aren’t well promoted and many individuals may have a bad encounter, when used correctly, Comedone extractors can help. Whenever using this tool, always sterilize it, soften your skin, and never force the extraction.
Worst Ways to Remove Blackheads
Here are some ways that are damaging your skin thus avoid them:
➡️ Squeezing with Hands
No matter how fascinating the idea is, squeezing blackheads (or any acne) with your hands is a bad deal. Doing so can introduce bacteria into the skin, leading to infections, inflammation, etc.
➡️ Harsh Scrub
Those scrubs with big particles may tempt you to wash off all that dead skin but don’t. Such harsh scrubs can irritate the skin, causing microtears, thus worsening blackheads.
➡️ Using Toothpaste
Using toothpaste to remove blackheads or treat acne has been one of the most famous DIY surfacing on the internet for decades. According to the claims, toothpaste may help in drying out any kind of acne. However, toothpaste can be harsh and irritate the skin; thus, avoid it.
➡️ DIY Glue Masks/ Charcoal Masks
The skincare market has a new trend where everyone uses charcoal or glue masks to clear their skin. However, these masks contain substances that can be harsh on the skin, potentially causing damage and irritation.
➡️ Pore Strips
Although pore strips are effective, they are incredibly harsh, and using them frequently can cause damage.
Removing Blackheads- How do you prepare your skin?
Before attempting to remove blackheads, here’s how you can prepare your skin:
- Wash your face nicely using a mild cleanser.
- Use lukewarm water to rinse your face, and use a facial steamer for 5 to 10 minutes. Doing so will help open the pores, making the blackhead-removing process easier.
- Exfoliate your skin gently using a mild scrubber.
- Drap a warm towel over your face for a few minutes.
- Now, use the proper techniques to remove blackheads gently.
Post Removal Care
It is crucial to take care of your skin after removing blackheads. Here’s a list of post-care tips you need to follow:
- Wash your face with a mild cleaner and cold water (room temperature).
- Apply a gentle, alcohol-free toner to soothe the skin and restore its pH balance.
- Use a non-comedogenic moisturizer to ensure hydration on the skin. Remember, moisturized skin is less likely to produce oil.
- Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least 30 SPF.
- Avoid any harsh products or strong acids/ serums.
Prevention Techniques
If you have a blackhead prone skin, use these prevention techniques:
- Establish a consistent cleansing, toning, and moisturizing routine.
- Exfoliate your skin regularly, 2 to 3 times a week, using a gentle exfoliator.
- Always choose skincare with a non-comedogenic label.
- Consider opting for an oil-free moisturizer.
- Add retinoids and clay masks into your skincare routine.
- Avoid touching your face with dirty hands and using dirty towels on your face.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Never over-exfoliate your skin since it can strip the natural oils.
- Never pop blackheads.
- Never skip moisturizer and sunscreen.
- Always clean your makeup brushes and skincare tools.
- Pay attention to the importance of a clean, healthy diet.
- Do not expect instant results.
- Change your pillowcase and face towels regularly.
Conclusion
Effectively removing blackheads involves a gentle and careful skincare approach. When attempting removal, always follow the gentle dermatologist’s suggested methods instead of quick and harsh ones.
Remember, no matter how harsh the blackheads are, your skin is gentle and thus deal with it gently.
However, if, after all the efforts, the blackheads are persistent, consult a skin care professional or a dermatologist. Also, your goal shouldn’t be limited to blackhead removal but prevention.
References
- Acne. (2016).
https://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Acne/ - Decker, A., et al. (2012). Over-the-counter acne treatments.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/labs/pmc/articles/PMC3366450/
