Blackheads - Get rid of them

What is the cause of blackheads?

Blackheads are caused when sebum (the skin's natural oil) collects and hardens in the pores. The congesting toxins that are being expelled through your skin from the blood and lymph fluid combines with sebum creating a pasty glue. The exposed tip becomes oxidized and black, hence the name - blackheads . Oily and combination skins are most susceptible to these. The skin's most dense oil glands are located in T-zone. That is why there you get the most blackheads.

How to get rid of blackheads?

Step 1 - Cleanse the face thoroughly with a good cleanser meant for oily skin. Preferrably use a salicylic acid cleanser.

Step 2 - Apply an astringent. It helps reduce oiliness. If its a bit harsh mix a bit of rose water in it. 

Step 3 - Apply a good quality medicated cream or gel containing resorcinol, salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide. This helps is soaking the oil and helps in peeling away the blackheads.  If benzoyl peroxide leaves your skin dry, apply an oil-free moisturizer after 10 mins of applying benzoyl peroxide.

Following this routine, in a matter of days you will be getting rid of blackheads.

Effective Tips to get rid of blackheads

• Exfoliate the blackhead prone area 3-4 times a week using facial exfoliators and scrubs. 
• Use creams containing AHAs (Alpha Hydroxy Fruit acids) like glyco-creams that will clear away any dead skin cells and "expose" the blackhead. Use the AHA's every 3 days or so.
• Keep your hair away from your face. Greasy hair and skin go together, and hair can spread infection.
• Sunshine or ultra-violet light encourages skin peeling, and so helps to clear blocked pores. So sunbathing or use of sun-beds in moderation can be helpful.
• Avoid washing the face with soaps more than twice a day. Instead wash your face often with plain water splashes.
• Often use a mask with a clay base.

To squeeze or not to squeeze?

If blackheads look ready to pop out, you could try removing them gently by using a blackhead extractor. This is a neat little instrument with a hole at one end, available from chemists. Pressure around the blackhead helps it to pop out through the hole. Also, Pore cleanser strips (blackhead extractor) for removal of blackheads. They are highly recommended for the treatment/removal of blackheads. Using them once per week will leave your pores cleaner and smaller.

Otherwise use your fingers. Steam your face first to soften both the skin and the material blocking the pores. Then wrap the fingers in tissues and gently roll against either side of the blackhead. If it won't budge easily, leave well alone, as too much pressure will bruise and break the skin, making your face red and blotchy for days to come, and possibly leaving tiny broken veins. Finish by applying a medicated cream to the empty pore.

Only ever squeeze a spot with a definite head that looks about to burst - pressure on an unready infected spot spreads bacteria below the skin's surface, infecting the surrounding tissue. Bad spots need a doctor's advice, and he may suggest antibiotic or even hormone therapy.