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Blackheads a tiny pores filled with sebum, dead skin cells, and oils, and when this oil or dead cells come into contact with the air.
They get oxidized, then they turn black, causing blackheads, as well as poor hygiene or dirt, to play a vital role in appearing black.
Blackheads are a common form of acne, which is seen in about 20 to 30% of the adult population.
On other hand, whiteheads are clogged pores, and blackheads are open pores, and that is why oxidation cause this dark color.
It is not possible to prevent blackheads always, but good hygiene, lifestyle tips, and varieties of home remedies can reduce it to an extent.
There are several ways to get rid of blackheads on the face, including medical, home remedies, and other ways that you at home.
Here are the Top ways to say goodbye to blackheads, which you can do at home, and easy to perform are:
Face Wash with Salicylic Acid
Wash your face with salicylic acid face wash, leave it for about 30 sec, and then wash it off with regular water.
Remember, do not use too much rub and force on the face, because it may result in redness and irritation.
You can use these face washes which contain salicylic acid include:
- Neutrogena deep or oil-free face wash
- saslic face wash
- clean & clear face wash
If you have oily skin, then use it twice a day, the combination skin type, use it once a day, and for dry and sensitive skin, use it once or twice a week.
Salicylic acid contains in OTP medicine, but what does salicylic acid do? – It breaks down the excess oil and dead skin cells that clog the pores.
Do regular face wash according to your skin type, can prevent the black and whiteheads from growing to the extent level.
Steam
After washing your face with face wash, take steam for about 10 minutes.
Steaming opens the pores and removes dirt deeper from the pores, as well as increases blood circulation.
Precautions while taking steam
- Cover your eyes
- Fan, Ac, and cooler must be closed
- Do not throw the towel immediately, after steaming, wait a few seconds
Steaming enhances blood circulation, and toxins are blackheads pushed out in just one steaming session, you can feel it.
Also, steaming on the face for blackheads on other body parts has several benefits (3) which include:
- Release acne-causing bacteria
- hydrate your skin
- releases trapped dead skin cells, sebum, and oil that causes acne, and blackheads
- enhance skin absorption power
- promote collagen and elastin
- helps with sinus congestion
- easy to use, and accessible
Breathing steam may also help with colds and coughs because it moisturizes the airways, and add essential oil for more comfort.
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Exfoliate
Exfoliating is a process, where some products are needed to remove dead skin cells from the surface of the skin to enhance the glow.
These products include – cleaning scrubs, body brushes, loofah, pumice stones, micro derma rollers, and exfoliating mitts (3)
The above method is a physical exfoliating method, where you use some products to clean your skin (4)
Another exfoliating method is called chemical exfoliation which includes:
- Retinol found in milk products such as cheese, yogurt, etc
- glycolic acid in sugarcane juice
- The citric acid found in lemons, limes
- malic acid found in apples, grapes, watermelon, and cherries
You may also hear that exfoliate with AHAs and BHAs, but what actually are AHAs and BHAs?
Alpha and beta hydroxy acids (AHAs and BHAs), where BHAs is an oil-soluble clean pore, also reduce fine lines and wrinkles.
Where AHAs are water-soluble and are a group of natural acids found in foods, like sugarcane, milk, watermelon, etc.
Blackheads Extractor
Comedone extractors are very commonly used by professionals, and specially designed for the nose to clean white and blackheads.
You can use it at home, just remember not to apply too much force, because it may deeper the blackheads under the skin.
If some blackheads are not come out, then leave them, and It will be best to remove them from a dermatologist.
After a small opening is made in the affected area, the dermatologist applies force on the blackheads to remove them.
You can easily buy it online, which is available in several shapes.
Try Creams and Gels
After using salicylic face washes, and other types of face wash, you might see dry skin, so you can moisturizers such as:
- Oryza
- excela moisturizer
- acrofy
These creams are non-comedogenic which does not make your blackheads and whiteheads worse.
A dermatologist may prescribe you Retinoid creams, but if a person has dry or combination skin then don’t use retinoids.
Retinoid creams are very helpful in reducing sebum production.
These retinoid creams are sensitive to the sun, so make sure to use sunscreen, it would be better if you use it before sleeping.
Remember, before using any kind of cream, medication, or gel on the face, use small quantities for a short period of time.
Gel’s
Be sure to consult a dermatologist before taking any type of gel or cream, especially for the face.
People who have oily skin types are only eligible to use salicylic acid gels, because dry, sensitive, and combination skin types may feel irritation.
So those people can use these gels such as:
- Sebogel gel
- zitcares-S
- sebonac gel
- Adapalene gel (deriva-MS and adaphrin)
If gels are not able to clean blackheads, then consult a doctor, because it sometimes leads to inflamed acne, and leaves behind scarring.
Use oil-free Sunscreen
Make sure, to use sunscreen before going in harsh daytime sunlight, use an oil-free sunscreen.
Using an oil sunscreen, can cause excessive oil, which may worsen symptoms, and increase the chance of acne, which stay last longer.
If you have oily skin, so don’t use oily sunscreen, use oil-free sunscreen, which blocks UV rays.
Use Clay Mask
Clay masks and charcoal masks both are excellent for cleaning the blackheads from deep inside and also absorbing excess oil in pores.
As well as, helping in reducing the number of blackheads, and even treating acne, and other acne spots.
However, there are potential side effects of using clay such as:
- Dryness
- redness
- itching
- rash
- irritated skin
Bentonite is a type of clay derived from volcanic ash, which has many benefits for the skin (5) including:
- reducing excessive moisture
- protecting you skin
- may treat dermatitis, psoriasis, eczema, and rosacea
- help in reducing acne
OTC Medications
There are several OTC medications, such as creams, gels, and pills, that remove acne-causing bacteria, inflammation, clogged pores, etc
Before taking any medicines, first consult the doctor, because if you are on any medication, then it may interact with them.
Creams and gels may have some side effects such as black shades, acne, pimples, dry skin, redness, and even acne that causes deep holes.
The doctor may prescribe you antibiotics drugs, creams, or gel for a short period of time.
What Should You Avoid?
There are several things that should be avoided to prevent blackheads or becoming blackheads worse including:
- Avoid online hackers such as glue that remove blackheads
- remember, always take shower after exercise
- avoid pressing or forcefully removing them, because it may deeper the whiteheads under the skin
- Do not touch your face frequently
- Avoid makeup, and try to use non-comedones products.
- If you don’t know how to use an extractor, then leave it and do it supervised by a professional, because this metal gadget can hurt the skin
- Avoid using toothpaste, and kind of things like lemon, hand scrub, etc that may hurt the face-sensitive skin.
- Avoid smoking
Home-Remedies For Blackheads
There are several home remedies that can be removed blackheads easily such as:
Baking Soda
There are several research that shows that baking soda is quite an excellent exfoliator, which reduces blackheads and acne appearance.
Also, neutralize the PH imbalance on the face, and again helps to remove dirt and excess oil.
Baking soda has a special property, that it clogged pores
- Mix one tbs full of baking soda with two tbs full of water
- make a paste of it and apply it on your face
- for better results, let it stay for 15-20 minutes on the face, and then wash it off with warm water
However, there are other studies theories tell that it may lead to dryness, redness, itchiness, and other skin problems, like dermatitis, etc.
Tomatoes
Why tomatoes? because tomatoes are rich in vitamin C can open the pores, and clear out blackheads by cleaning dead skin, with oil (5)
Also contain vitamin A, skin brightening and oil-absorbing, and pore-shrinking properties (6)
This is good for all skin types, especially for oily skin types, where its pulp effectively removes the extra oil without being harsh.
If you experience any irritation or redness, then avoid it, because it may contain, malic, and citric acid (found in lemon)
Maintain Hygiene
Always maintain hygiene, whether it is your skin, teeth, or body, which is also a big factor in reducing or increasing blackheads.
So keep your skin clean and give importance to your skincare, because the skin also can breathe.
Down Line
A blackhead is a tiny dot filled with dead skin cells, and oils, and when these dead cells come into contact with the environment.
They get oxidized, then they turn black, causing blackheads.
Steam is a very effective way to open pores and remove acne-causing bacteria, and also improve blood circulation.
