Blackheads Removal

Methods of Preventing and Removing Blackheads and Whiteheads

Many people think of acne treatments as only being for the removal of pimples. However, an important part of acne treatment is removing the impurities that lead to blackhead and whiteheads. In many cases they involve removing blackheads and whiteheads themselves.

Causes of Blackheads

Blackheads fall under the category of acne vulgaris. Blackheads may also be referred to as comedones. Having too much sebum in the pores results in them becoming clogged. This ultimately results in the blackheads when trapped toxins fill the sebum and then the mixture oxidizes from contact with the air. This is why people who tend to have oily skin are the ones who typically will have the problems with blackheads. If lefts untreated, blackheads can continue to increase in size until they become quite unsightly.

Causes of Whiteheads

Whiteheads may not be as easy to see, but they can more quickly come form pore deformations. Whiteheads also fall under the category of acne vulgaris. The only difference in the formation of whiteheads and blackheads is that in whiteheads the pores become completely blocked. This prevents toxins from entering and air from oxidizing the sebum into blackheads.

The Inappropriate Treatments

What you should not do, which most people actually do, is squeeze, poke, or try to pull out your blackheads and whiteheads. This can cause inflammation and scarring. Even worse, if you haven't completely sanitized the surfaces coming in contact you could get an infection.

The Appropriate Treatments

Accutane is a substance that should only be used under the direction of your dermatologist. It is effective in the treatment a very severe cystic acne conditions. It has plenty of side effects.

Alpha hydroxyl acid can be very useful to remove dead skin cells that accumulate around the pores. It is also useful in some cases as a treatment for whiteheads.

Benzoyl peroxide is a drying agent and an antibacterial treatment. It is not any good for the prevention of acne, but it can dry up those pimples once they appear. However, it doesn't remove blackheads.

Face steams with essential oils in them are an effective natural treatment for the removal of whiteheads and blackheads. The essential oils may help in neutralizing the bacteria while the steam opens up the pores.

Lemon juice is often used as a home facial cleansing remedy. It removes oil at the surface level to help prevent blackheads.

Pore strips are like a piece of tape you place over your blackheads. Removing blackheads is then simply a matter of lifting the tape with the blackheads stuck to the tape.

Salicylic acid is a great product for cleaning out the skin and the pores. For this reason it is one of the best methods of preventing blackheads and removing blackheads.