If you have pores, which we all do!
At some point in your life, you’ve dealt with blackheads.
But, first and foremost, what are blackheads? “Blackheads are basically larger pores filled with oil and dead skin cells that didn’t slough off the surface properly,” Nancy Samolitis, MD, FAAD, owner and cofounder of Facile Dermatology + Boutique, explains.
However, they aren’t the same as clogged pores, whiteheads, or acne. Open comedones differ from blackheads, which are “clogged pores that are not open on the surface, so they seem more like little white lumps,” according to Samolitis.
Even though blackheads seem like dirt, they aren’t dirt. “While many patients mistakenly believe the black color is caused by dirt, it is actually caused by the clog being oxidized by the air,” says Brian Ginsberg, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Chelsea Skin & Laser and clinical assistant professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital.
Congratulations if you’ve had blackheads since you were a child. It’s possible that your genes are to fault. “Some people are simply genetically predisposed to wider pores or higher oil production, both of which contribute to the formation of blackheads,” adds Samolitis. “As we age and our skin loses suppleness, pores can widen and blackheads emerge. This can happen everywhere on the body, including the face.” If you have blackheads on your face and are wondering if the dark spots on your chest, back, or neck are also blackheads, they are.
“The most effective strategy is to repair any underlying issues that are generating blackheads, such as dead skin cells,” says one chevalier.Morgan Rabach, MD, board-certified dermatologist and cofounder of LM Medical in New York, explains. “The best strategy is to use active chemicals that reduce oil production, slough away dead skin cells, and limit the formation of dead skin cells. Retinol is the greatest component for the job.”
The story continues…
Other exfoliation treatments, whether physical or chemical, are also recommended by Rabach. There are also extractions, which perform well but must be integrated into a bigger strategy. “Squeezing blackheads out feels pleasant, but it doesn’t change the reason for their production, so if extractions are the sole method you employ, they’ll keep coming back.”
Grab some Q-Tips to eliminate blackheads from your face right away…
Regardless matter where area of the face you’re treating for blackheads, the procedure is essentially the same. “An extraction is a simple and uncomplicated technique to get rid of them,” says Samolitis. “You don’t need to use a needle or tool to pierce the skin because the pore is already open.” Gentle pressure is an option.applied to the blackhead to force it out I prefer to extract comedones with two Q-tips because they don’t hurt the skin like fingernails or even a comedone extractor can.”
However, exfoliants or peels can be used to remove them more slowly, according to Samolitis. “An exfoliation or peel containing salicylic acid to dissolve the oil and dead skin cells and a retinol to restore skin cell turnover, which prevents clogging in the first place, is a slower way to remove and prevent them.”
Also, try this to get rid of blackheads on your body…
“Because your body skin is thicker than your face skin, you may use a higher percentage of active chemicals like retinols, salicylic acids, and alpha and beta hydroxy acids to remove blackheads on your body,” adds Rabach. Fortunately, you can get away with frequent exfoliation and stronger chemical peels on the back or chest that might otherwise be too irritating on the face.
Other solutions are available if products aren’t cutting it. Samolitis adds: “Some blackheads on the back and body are substantially larger, causing irreversible damage to the pore. The pore will ultimately fill up again, even if the contents are evacuated. A minor surgical excision is a more aggressive way to permanently eradicating blackheads on the back and body.”
Do homemade toothpaste recipes work?
Forget everything you’ve heard about using toothpaste to dry out your blackheads. Samolitis is unmistakable in this DIY beauty hack: “Toothpaste will not remove blackheads. The above-mentioned therapies are the only ones that work.” Begin with light manual exfoliation using treatments such as peels, exfoliants, and masks, and work your way up to surgical excision or a trip to the doctor if the blackheads persist. Unfortunately, this is one instance where do-it-yourself won’t suffice.
Will my blackheads ever fade away completely?, BEST HOME REMEDIES BOOK
It might not be your imagination if you feel like you’re always losing the battle against blackheads. “Blackheads can always come back after removal since certain people are genetically prone to them,” explains Samolitis. “Salicylic acid and retinol can help keep them at bay, but they won’t completely eliminate them. Oral retinoids, such as Accutane [typically taken for severe, cystic acne], will permanently decrease oil glands and perhaps ‘heal’ blackheads, but they are not indicated for mild acne.”
But fear not; all is not lost. You can start to get long-term relief if you follow the right blackhead-fighting skincare routine. “Retinols, salicylic acid, and regular exfoliation can drastically improve blackheads,” says Rabach.
Sign up for our newsletter to receive more stories like this, as well as all things Oprah.
You May Also Enjoy. BEST HOME REMEDIES BOOK
