To any human being, there is no greater feeling than the feeling you have when you have a spotless skin. It is everyone’s dream to have a skin that is a pimple free and flawless, right? It even gives you the confidence to face the world and conquers it.
When you have a face full of pimples acne and blackheads, it can be embracing and demoralizing. You don’t want to go to that date or even the dream interview for the job you have always dreamed off. So, what do you about your situation?
It is important for you to note that you are not alone. It is a situation that most people find themselves in. you can go to sleep with a spot free face and look forward to a fruitful day only to wake up with a blackhead or acne. Will you let that ruin your day?
Most people don’t have the information they need to face such a situation. According to dermatologists in the world, it is a condition that not only occur in teenagers but also in an adult’s all over. Over 40-50 million people are affected by spots, acne, and blackheads every year.
Waking up with such a situation makes you wish you had some information that can help you get rid of the spot or blackhead. Well, here are some of the information that is sure will come in handy when you wake up in such an ugly situation, read along.
First, for you to attack the spot that you have on your skin, it is important you get to know what it is. You need to correctly diagnose your situation so that you can best know how to attack it. so, what do you have on your skin? Acne? A pimple or is it a blackhead? Here is what you need to know about a black head.
What is a black head?
So, you wake up in the morning and you have a pump on your face, hand or at the chest. The bump is black and painless and is a bit raised from the skin surface? Yes, you have a blackhead. It is a pump that usually appears on your skin due to clogged hair follicles.
For you to get it, let’s understand your skin. On your skin, you have pores which have hair follicles and sebaceous gland on them. The land is responsible for producing sebum, oil that is responsible for keeping your skin soft and hydrated always.
Sometimes, the inevitable happens. Your body undergoes changes that leads to excess production of the sebum. That overproduction of the oil leads to a plug on the pore of your skin. When sebum accumulates, it collects dead skin cells and bacteria resulting in a swelling called comedo.
It is important to know that the comedo, which is the swelling can be an open one or a closed one. A blackhead is a type of comedo which happens in form of an open one. It can also be referred to a mild form of acne that is non-inflammatory.
back to menu ↑Types of comedo or blackhead
If you have blackheads on your skin, as mentioned earlier, it is good to know what type of comedo you have. That is because by knowing the type, you will be able to get the right diagnosis for the blackheads. You will find them in two forms;
Giant comedo
They are abnormally large kin of blackheads that are visible for everyone to see. They can be stressful to deal with due to their size. The size is due to an increased production of corneocyte that brings to be the sebaceous gland.
The conspicuous blackheads can mostly be found in areas that have the apocrine gland. the gland is mostly found around the groins and the scrotum making men more venerable to get this type of blackheads.;
Nevus comedo
In this type of comedo, you will find them manifesting in groups. They have dilated follicle openings characterized by dark keratin plugs. The keratin accumulates forming layers of keratin that are dark. The condition is rare, and its presence means central nervous system abnormalities, cutaneous defects or ocular abnormalities.
There you have it, that is how your blackhead came to be. I know you are wondering why it is known as a blackhead. It is known so due to the oxidation of the melanin in the sebum. It does not mean that it only occurs in a dark color only, it can also be in grey, yellow or brown.
Now that you know what to expect with blackheads, its vital that you know different situations that can be confused with blackheads. Sometimes, it is not what you think it is, it might be a simple rising of the skin called the sebaceous filament.
back to menu ↑What is sebaceous filament?
The sebaceous filament is an exposed tip of the pore. It is more prevalent and normal. If you have such a condition, you don’t need any Kind of medical treatment as it comes and disappears on its own. So, what makes it be confused with the blackheads?
A sebaceous filament is composed of triglycerides, wax ester and equivalent found on the lining of your pores. Their primary function is to channel the flow of sebum to the skin for the skin to remain moisturized and hydrated.
They are more similar because they both occur on your skin. The pore will have excess sebum in it and it will appear like the sebum wants to be squeezed out. They both occur in the pores and the only difference in them can be shown in the table below.
- Characterized by excess sebum and has no plug on top of the pore.
- It usually takes the color of the surrounding skin.
- When it occurs on your skin, it is evenly distributed
- Characterized by excess sebum with dead skin and bacteria and has a plug on top of the pore.
- It is usually dark in color due to the oxidation of the melanin on the dead skin.
- When it occurs, it comes n form of one single lesion.
With so many skin conditions found on our skin, confusion is also there. Conditions can be similar leading you to believe a certain condition is A while it is supposed to be B. it is good to know the difference between them to know what to expect. Another common mistaken condition is the white head.
back to menu ↑What are whiteheads?
Whiteheads, just like blackheads are formed when your body produces excess sebum that will lead to clogging of the pores. The excess sebum collects dirt, bacteria and dead skin and accumulates to form a plug. Just like the blackhead, they are a non- inflammatory type of acne. So, what’s the difference between blackhead and whiteheads?
- When clogging occurs, the pores are exposed to the air through an opening.
- The blackhead exposes the tip of the plug.
- The content in the pore may harden.
- When clogging occurs, the pore is covered with a thin layer of skin.
- The white head does not expose the of the plug.
- Content may not harden.
What Causes Blackhead
Like mentioned earlier, blackhead does not choose who to attack. It is true that it is predominant among the teenager, but you will find blackhead across all ages. So, what causes blackhead? Here are some of the causes;
Hormones
This is the number one cause of blackheads. Due to the nature of our bodies, we experience hormonal changes that sometimes affect how our body functions. Changes of the hormones are what that triggers excess production of sebum which accumulates dust and bacteria.
Puberty
If you are a teen, there is no way you will ever avoid this. That is because, at puberty, that is when your body hormones are most active. This is when the changes in your body happen and with this, comes along the overproduction of hormones that produce the sebum
Menstruation
Ladies, you know what this means. Yea the foul moods, the mood changes and the oversensitivity feeling. That is because when you are about to have your periods, the estrogen level goes down and with that, comes the shooting of the progesterone. The whole hormone changes influence your sebum production.
Birth control pills
It is believed that using birth control pills influence the user. To some women, it is known to reduce the pimples and makes women have a smooth skin while to others, it can be a nightmare. It can be a beginning of unending blackheads o your skin.
Pregnancy
Pregnancy is wonderful. When a woman is pregnant a lot happens in her body. Don’t be surprised if you are pregnant and you have a lot of blackheads on your face. Its a sign of the hormonal changes that are taking place in your body, all you must do is know how to manage them.
Diet
Little is known on the association of what you eat and your skin texture, but it is common knowledge that foods that are rich in vitamin C help in improving your skin texture while foods that are full of fats and high calories can lead to a lot of cholesterol in your body affecting your skin too.
Smoking
If you are a smoker, don’t be surprised and wonder where the blackheads are coming from. Hen you smoke, you dehydrate your skin leading to a trigger of production of sebum. The sebum becomes in excess and when it traps dirt, dead skin and bacteria, it creates a recipe for a blackhead.
back to menu ↑How to Get Rid of Blackheads Fast
Now that you know what blackheads are and what you can mistake with a blackhead, it is time to know how you can get rid of the blackheads. Knowing the cause is a very vital stage o knowing how to take care of the situation.
With so much information out there, it becomes confusing on how effectively you can take care of the blackheads. That is because a lot of the information is false and just want to lead you to buy a certain product without any concern whether it will help or not
Although the situation is new and challenging to you, you need to come up with a working strategy that will help you effectively to get rid of the blackhead once and for all. When you are trying to figure this out, know your skin type.
It is by knowing your skin type that you start the healing process. That is because, with the information, you will be able to shop for the right products. You will be able to know what is best for your skin and what will work for your skin.
back to menu ↑How to Get Rid of Blackheads on Your Nose
There is nothing as motivating as standing in front of the mirror and admiring your smooth face. It sets you I a good mood for starting a day with a sparkle. We all want that but sometimes it is not what we get in the morning
We wake up to a dull face full of dark spots and you just have any idea on how you are to get rid of them. Well, read along and equip yourself with the right information before you go around trying on what works for you.
How you face the situation is paramount. Blackheads on your nose don must be alarming as it sounds. Sometimes all it needs is a little remedy or some effort around your house and they will be gone in a second. Here are some of the things that you can do;
Steam your face
Steaming your face is one of the best things you can do to your face to make it smooth and spotless. It involves boiling water and putting it in a bowl. Using a towel, you can either lean onto the bowl and cover your self with the towel or you can put the towel in the water and press it against your nose.
Steaming is used as a way of opening pores. hen the pores are open, you will be able to remove the dead skin, dirt, and bacteria that is clogged n the pore. You will be able therefore to remove the dark head that is bothering you and your face will be spot free.
Squeeze with caution
Like mentioned earlier, sometimes all it needs is a simple touch. Using your hands, you can gently squeeze the blackhead out of your nose. If the dark spot is near the surface, it is simply easy to do it with no harm.
However, you should note that if you squeeze to the point you are feeling pain, it is better off if you don’t continue squeezing. Overdoing it may lead to the dirt and bacteria being pushed further down the pore causing more harm to your skin around the nose.
Exfoliate
It is an effective way of opening the pores to allow dirt and bacteria to be released. Exfoliating smooths up the surface of your nose and in the process loosening the debris that is in the pores. that makes it easy for you to remove the content from the pore.
Go for a good exfoliating product. That is why like earlier mentioned, it is important to know your skin. This way. you will be able to buy the right product for your skin. Go to the nearest cosmetic outlet and be assisted in getting the right product. You can also go the natural way.
Clay mask
If you tried the above and still noticing the dark spots popping out, its time you go for a face mask. This is good as it will cover the nose and the whole face. A facemask acts as a magnet. It traps and pulls out the dirt and bacteria trapped in the pores.
back to menu ↑How to Get Rid of Blackheads on your Chin
Getting ready for a date is a task. You must make sure your make up is on point and your face cute to impress. Blackhead is a no, no in your plans and if you have some on your chin, it’s a high time you think about how you are going to take care of them.
Do you have an idea on how to go around them? Don’t worry if you don’t. taking care of the blackhead include of a simple hygiene routine that you should follow every day. Make sure you take care of the marks as soon as you see them avoid them from spreading.
Use salicylic or glycolic acid
This should be used when washing every day. It is used to open pores by removing the excess sebum, dirt, and bacteria that has been clogging your pores. it also acts as an inflammatory agent that protects the skin from future attack while soothing the affected areas.
Use retinoid
You need to look for a way to speed the growth and removal of your old skin. By doing this, you avoid the dead skin from clogging the pores since there will be no dead skin around. Look for the best product that will suit your skin and start applying it.
Pore strip
This is used to remove dirt in the pore. Though it is not for everyday use, it is an effective way of ensuring that the pores are clean and free from dirt. Hen you notice that you have blackheads, get the strip from tour outlet and use them to remove the dirt and bacteria from the pores.
back to menu ↑How to Get Rid of Blackheads On your Back
This is a rare place to get a blackhead. That does not mean that it cannot happen if you are fond of wearing open and bear clothes, you are bound to get the blackheads. That is because you expose your back skin to sun and other factors that may cause blackhead.
Having the blackheads on your back can be uncomfortable. Especially when you wear clothes that encounter the infected area. It is also itchy when you must carry a backpack. That is the reason why you need to look for a way to take care of the situation ASAP
The good thing about taking care of the back spots is that this area has a thick skin. That means that you can apply a more aggressive form of treatment, unlike another area that requires consideration. Here are ways in which you can get rid of them;
Exfoliate
You can do this over a massage at the massage parlor. Use a course exfoliate to scrub the dead skin off so that you remain with a smooth skin surface. When you exfoliate, you remove the dirt and bacteria that is clogging your skin leaving it free and healthy.
Avoid sun exposure
When you expose your back to excess sunlight, your skin gets dry, this, in turn, will trigger excess production of the sebum to hydrate your skin. When the excess sebum is in contact with dirt and bacteria, it leads to blackhead which is what you are trying to get rid of.
Wash
A simple washing routine will be good for you if the situation is not serious. That is when you wash with a gentle scrub, you will remove the blackhead and with it, it will remove all the dirt and bacteria in it hence reducing inflammation.
Use spot treatment
This is to be applied in case of a serious condition. That includes the use of a medicated cream that will do deep into the pore and remove the dirt and heal the inflammation. You can easily get the spot treatment cream from any cosmetic outlet near you.
back to menu ↑How to Get Rid of the Blackheads on your Forehead
So, you are looking forward to having a fruitful day, but you just don’t know what to do about your forehead. A glowing skin always gives you morale for a better day and when your forehead is full of black spot, it becomes hard to bounce with confidence.
The forehead is the most seen part of your face. Even if you try to cover it with your hair, it is still visible, and you won’t be able to hide the spots. The only way you must take is to look for a way to get rid of the spots
Blackhead is a result of having clogged skin with oxidized melanin in them. The pores become clog when you have excess sebum in your pores that collects dirt, dead skin and bacteria. Here are ways in which you can get rid of the spots on your forehead;
Wash
This is a simple yet most ignored basic routine that can help you get rid of the of the dirt, bacteria and excess oil from your forehead. Once you do this, it will be easier for you to remove the dead skin and the blackhead from your skin.
Use a mask
This is effective in making sure our pores are not clogged. They act as a magnet that goes deeper and removes the clogs in the pores. it is recommended when choosing a mask, go for a gentle one and the one that will best suit your skin. You can also go for the natural masks such as egg white.
Exfoliate
Using an exfoliate when cleaning your face is a sure way to know that the dirt and the bacteria are effectively washed away. you can buy over the counter exfoliate or you can make you at home using the available ingredients.
back to menu ↑How to Get Rid OF Blackheads in your Ears
Blackhead in your ear is an indication that your ear is dirty. Most are the times that people shower and forget to clean their ears. Bacteria and dirt can also settle there and since the pore in the ear are big, it creates a room for dirt and bacteria to settle in
You need to come up with a way to get rid of the spots in your ear because it is visible, and it is a sign that your hygiene is wanting. If you notice spotting on your ear, don’t wait for them to fade away because chances are it won’t. Here are ways that can help you get rid of the blackhead;
Wash
What people don’t know is that a simple wash with your face cleanser is a good sure way of starting to get rid of the blackhead. Use a cloth with little cleanser and rub it in your ear and you will get a clear ear free from the dirt and the bacteria clogging the pore.
Extract
This is also a sure way that you will get rid of the blackhead. You should start by washing your ears to make the dirt and bacteria lose from the ear. Then using an extractor, you should gently remove the blackheads until they are all out.
back to menu ↑How to Get Rid of the Blackhead on Your Cheek
Getting the right makeup should be on top of your list especially when you are anticipating for the day. Putting makeup on a Cheek that has many blackheads is challenging and it is the thing that would make a teenager want to give up on a day.
When you have blackheads on your check, it is a sign that something needs to be done on your face to get rid of the marks. Get a plan and implement it to make sure the spots go away for good. Here are ways in which you can use to make sure the spots are gone;
Mask
Mask is every chick best friend. Occasionally it is good to put a mask on your facial skin to remove all the dirt that is clogging your pores. masking ensures that all the bacteria and excess oil is trapped and removed together with the mask leaving you with a clear skin,
Wash
Using a mild soap and water may be all you need to start the journey of removing the black spots. Use a cleanse to make sure you thoroughly wash your face and check clean. This should be done twice a day, make sure you wash gently not to harm your skin.
Make use benzoyl peroxide
The use of an antibiotic will make sure that all the bacteria trapped in the pore is washed away. That will prevent future infection as it will keep bacteria away from you’re a face. At an outlet near you will provide you with the right concentration or your treatment.
back to menu ↑How to Get Rid of Blackhead on Your Leg
Blackheads can also find themselves on your legs, making it difficult for you to rock those shorts or mini dress that you love so much. It becomes uncomfortable especially if you wear tight clothes or clothes that rub on your skin, what do you do about them
Just like other the other parts of the body, you need to have a plan and execute it fast. You need to make sure you wash at least twice a day. That will remove all the dirt, sweat and bacteria that may have accumulated. Make sure you dry yourself well after washing.
You need to have a tropical medication that you can apply to reduce the inflammation. The aim is to make sure the blackhead doesn’t end up becoming a more serious condition. Consult any over the counter outlet and you will find the right topical application for your skin
If the blackheads are stubborn to get rid of, then you should consider extracting them. This is a sure way of ensuring that the blackheads go for good. You should make sure you wash your skin well before you start extraction to avoid irritation.
back to menu ↑How to Get Rid of blackheads on Your Breast
Blackhead on your breast is a result of oily products, exposure to the sun or having oily hair hanging on your chest. It can be uncomfortable and itchy if nothing is done about it. a simple routine of washing and over the counter products will help a long way.
Make sure you wash trice daily and pat yourself dry. Do you use oil-based products? it is a high time you find a substitute and make sure you hold your hair up. Having a good sunscreen is good for your chest and you will have the blackhead gone in a short time.
back to menu ↑How to Get Rid of Deep Blackheads
The situation can be nagging, having the blackhead all over your body and trying everything possible to remove them and they are not cracking. You need a more drastic measure that will ensure they are gone and done with.
While on the desperation of getting rid of the blackheads, you need to remember not to harm your skin while n the process of removing them. Remember your skin type and work with what is good for your skin type. Here is what to do;
Use a face mask
Yes, a face mask is like a magnet. it penetrates deep in the pore and extracts the dirt and anything else that is plugged in the pores and once you wash it off, you will have removed all that is causing the clogging.
Steam
Steaming is a harsh way of softening the blackheads. Through steaming, you soften the blackhead from the pores making extraction and removal easy. Make sure you use a hot steam and cover yourself well with a towel to avoid steam from escaping.
Extraction
When all proves to be impossible, its time to use a more effective way. Extracting is effective in the sense that it will make sure the blackhead is physically gone. Make sure you wash well to make the blackhead soft and easier to remove.
Consult your dermatologist
When all your efforts are exhausted, its time you go and see a specialist. Like mentioned earlier, some blackheads are a sign of a more underlined problem that only a dermatologist can diagnose. Make sure you mention to your dermatologist all the areas that are affected.
back to menu ↑Best 5 Home Remedies for Blackheads
It is always proven that you can never go wrong with natural remedies. For you who has a sensitive skin and react to every product, perhaps hat you need is a neutral approach to the blackheads and the situation will be gone.
We all have and use some of this home remedies. Sometimes we just don’t know whether they can help, or we distrust them and think that they can help. Always remember that when dealing with a skin problem, there is a remedy in your house that can solve your problem. Here are some of the remedies;
Baking soda
Not only is it an effective exfoliate but it is a remedy that is always in our kitchen and we use it almost all the time. When you sue baking, soda paste on your face, it removes all the dead skin and dirt leaving your skin smooth and clean. It also neutralizes ph. reducing the production of sebum
Cinnamon
Has a nice soft aroma and is a good anti-bacterial agent. When you use it on your skin, it will remove all the blackheads and bacteria that is clogged in the skin leaving your skin glowing and smooth. Make sure you use it every night for a more satisfying result
Oatmeal
So, you don’t trust all the cleanser around, here is a natural cleanser that you can use in every skin type. It works as an exfoliate to remove all that is clogged in your pore, as an oxidant that promotes skin growth and anti-inflammatory that helps in removing the dead skin and soothing irritated skin.
Lemon
This is a citrus fruit that is used In the kitchen for its citrus fluid. It is an excellent product for removing dead skin and an oxidant that promotes the growth of skin cells making you glow and shine like always.
Honey
You should not pour all that honey on your meal or bread. The honey is a good skin care product that you can use to get back your flawless skin. It acts as an anti-bacterial and antiseptic for cleansing and removing any germs from your skin.
White egg
This is good for those with oily skin. It is used as a mask to remove excess oil from your skin. This s an excellent start to the removal of blackhead since it penetrates deep into the pores and removes all that is clogging the pores leaving your pores free and clean.
back to menu ↑How to Prevent Blackheads
Now that you have fought the blackheads and they are gone, would you wish for them to come back? How you take care of your skin after you get rid of the spots is important as it will determine if they will come back or not.
Now that you know your skin type, its time you start taking care of it. a blackhead can be termed as a natural process and they will keep on coming back once. There are ways in which you can take care of the skin to make sure they are not severe and stubborn and here they are;
Wash
This is the most vital step. Washing makes sure that the bacteria, dead skin and dirt that is trapped by sebum does not settle in your pores. make it a routine to ash at least twice a day. In the morning and when going to sleep. Ladies sleeping with makeup is a No No.
Exfoliate
Exfoliating is a way of ensuring that what is clogged in your pore comes out. Using a course exfoliate or a homemade remedy one will leave your skin free from dead skin and dirt and it will glow all day long.
About oil-based cosmetics
The good thing about knowing your skin is that it avoids you from buying the wrong skin products. Oil based products increase the clogging making the blackhead removal even more difficult. Consult a skin care product expert for advice on what to use.
Wear a mask
Make sure you wear a mask at least once per week. That will ensure that the dirt that saw it way on your pore is captured and removed. If possible, make use of homemade masks like egg white and baking soda as they are mild on your skin and effective in removing dirt from your skin.
Continue using topical medication
Just because you are not seeing the blackhead does not mean that the situation is over, you need to c continue to use the topical medication for at least three months to make sure the situation of the blackheads will not reappear again.
Taking care of your skin starts with you. you need to know what is attacking your skin before you take any action. Blackheads attack both the adults and the teenagers. What you need to do is know how to manage the situation and still emerge the victor with a glowing flawless skin.