How to Get Rid of Blackheads

While acne is the most noticeable skin affliction, for many the bigger problem is getting rid of blackheads.  They may be smaller, but they are also usually more numerous and having a collection of them on your face is less than cool.  If you want to find out what causes them, how you can get rid of them and even how to prevent them from occurring in the first place, then read on.

What Are Blackheads and Why Do We Get Them?

Dermatologists call blackheads “comedones” and they are the small black lumps you get when your pores become clogged with oil.  They are most prevalent on the nose, because this is where you have the most oil, but can also appear on other parts of the face or body.  People with oily skin are more prone to getting them, but those with dry skin can also get them.

A blackhead forms when your pore becomes blocked due to excess oil, dirt and dead skin cells.  This can be because the pore opening itself is misformed in some way or simply because your body produces too much oil.  It can also happen when using oil based cosmetic products that build up in the pore over time, creating blockages.  The blackhead gets its color from the oil and dirt becoming oxidized and turning black.

The main cause of too much oil being produced is hormone imbalances.  These imbalances occur frequently in adolescents, pregnant women, menstruating women and women going through menopause.  They can also be caused by poor diet, lack of sleep and stress.  In addition, research has found that blackheads and acne appear to be a genetic predisposition so if your family members have had them in the past you are much more likely to get them yourself.

Blackhead Prevention

While learning how to get rid of blackheads is a good thing, learning how to prevent them from forming in the first place is even better.  There are a variety of steps you can take to help prevent blackheads from forming and here are 5 of the most important:

1.     Keep your skin clean by washing at least twice daily with a cleanser made specifically for acne and blackhead prevention.  These cleansers are usually gentle to the skin, water soluble and come in a liquid form.  All these factors are important to keep your skin clean and to prevent a buildup in the pores.  Those with dry skin can choose a moisturizing soap, but should be careful to make sure they don’t overdo it and end up making the skin oily.

2.     Avoid using make up at all if possible and if you do use make up choose those which are made for your skin type and which are also classed non-comedogenic.  These cosmetics are formulated specially to avoid clogging your pores.

3.     If you have naturally oily skin try using products meant to remove the oil.  There are “oil papers” that are used to blot the oil from the skin that can help.  You may also want to try one of the clay mask products.  Clay works very well absorbing oil and besides a clay facial just feels good.

4.     Get rid of your dead skin cells by exfoliating a few times each week.  If the dead skin cells aren’t there then they can’t mix with the oil to clog your pores.  Be careful that you don’t overdo with this though as it can actually backfire.  Exfoliating too much will irritate the skin and may even cause it to increase oil production even more to try and maintain the balance that your body wants.  Choose a product containing beta hydroxyl acid or salicylic acid with a concentration of 2% or greater for the best results.  Both of these ingredients will remove dead skin cells from the surface of your skin as well as from the inside of your pores.

5.     When all else fails go to see your dermatologist for specialized treatment.  In severe cases you may need something stronger than you can buy over the counter and the dermatologist is the one who can help with this.  They have several treatment options that can help, such as stronger cleansers, antibiotics, retinoids and even steroid treatments.  They may even suggest hormone blockers or cosmetic procedures such as dermabrasion or laser therapy.

Get Rid of Blackheads

There are several ways and tools that can be used to get rid of blackheads that have already formed.  Of course the method everyone knows about and uses without even thinking about it is to squeeze them with your fingers.  Yes, this will remove the blackhead, but it could also cause infections from the germs and dirt on your skin, increased breakouts and even bleeding and scarring.  Now that you know the risks I’m sure you will still continue to take the easy route and squeeze your blackheads, so here is the best way to do so:

1.     Wash both your face and hands to make certain they are clean.  You can also use an exfoliating scrub on your face at this point to remove as much of the oils, dirt and dead skin cells as possible.

2.     Take a clean cloth and run it under hot water.  Wring out the excess water and apply the warm cloth to your blackheads for 10 minutes to help open the pores and soften the clogging blackheads in preparation for removal.  You could also take a hot shower for 10-15 minutes which will accomplish the same thing.

3.     Once your face is dry start by placing your finger tips on either side of the blackhead.  Apply an even pressure downward into the skin and then upward so you are getting underneath the blackhead and pushing up.  The blackhead and the oil trapped underneath should pop out of the pore.

4.     If the first try is unsuccessful you can repeat from step one, but don’t try more than twice to remove a stubborn blackhead.  It simply may not be ready to come out and in this case try again the next day or go to see your dermatologist for professional removal.

Another method that is similar is to use a blackhead extracting tool.  These stainless steel tools are the same ones that dermatologists use in their offices and have the benefit of being sterile.  Basically they have a small loop at the end that is placed around the blackhead and squeezes it when pressure is applied.  These extractors are very similar to using your fingers, but more precise and without the risk of spreading bacteria and causing further infection.

One other common method for removing blackheads is to use one of the popular pore strips that remove shallow blackheads.  These are strips of adhesive and when applied to your skin the blackheads stick to them and come out when the strips are removed.  While this can work well for shallow blackheads it isn’t really effective for deep ones or stubborn ones.  Pore strips can also damage dry or irritated skin, so use with caution.

Preventing the formation of blackheads through hygiene, diet and stress relief is the best way to tackle to problem of getting rid of blackheads.  After all, you don’t need to remove what doesn’t form in the first place.  Those with more severe blackhead problems can see a dermatologist for advanced treatment options.