Dermatology-Online

Blackheads - How To Get Rid Of Them!

definition

Blackheads are also called Comedones designated. These are blemishes in the form of a blackish or white plug that clogs the opening of a sebum gland on the skin.

Especially on sebum-rich skin areas, such as Forehead, nose or chin, blackheads are particularly common. Blackheads are harmless and primarily represent a cosmetic problem. Comedones are not only affected by young people, the annoying skin blemishes occur at all ages.

Causes of Blackheads

Blackheads occur when the sebum produced in a sebum gland can no longer drain away and clogs the opening. This happens either through increased sebum production (Seborrhea) or a cornification disorder of the skin (Hyperkeratosis), in which flakes of skin clog the sebum glands.

Especially Teenagers suffer from blackheads and other skin blemishes during puberty, as the hormonal changes lead to increased sebum production. As a result, the sebum can no longer drain and builds up in the duct of the sebum gland. Above a certain size, the pent-up sebum can be seen with the naked eye as a white-yellowish plug. The blackhead is then called "White head“Or closed blackhead designated.

Over time, the blackhead opens and turns black, as the sebum oxidizes in the air and mixes with melanin (the dark pigment of the skin) ("Black head“Or open blackhead).

In some cases, bacteria can also invade the sebum gland and cause inflammation, which causes purulent pimples and pustules. So every pimple starts in a blackhead.

Read also: Blocked sebum gland - what to do?

Many people mistakenly believe that poor personal hygiene is the cause of blackheads. That is wrong and often leads even too much soap to the fact that the skin is unbalanced and blackheads arise. An unhealthy diet (too much sugar and too greasy) can contribute to the increased formation of skin blemishes, but it is not the only cause. However, a balanced and varied diet as well as sufficient water intake can detoxify the body and improve the complexion.

Learn more about this under: Blemished Skin - Causes and Treatment

What is the best way to remove blackheads?

There are a number of ways in which you can best remove those annoying blackheads. However, the black dots should not simply be squeezed out with the fingers, otherwise pathogens can easily penetrate the sebum gland and lead to an infection.

In the pharmacy and in the drugstore there are numerous products that are supposed to work against blackheads. The selection ranges from:

Creams, masks and toners
to special devices such as Comedone squeezer or Vacuum suction cups.
But there are also some Home remedies such as tea tree oil, healing clay or zinc ointmentthat help against blackheads.

Blackheads are best removed with a consistent and mild facial cleansing. It is especially important for women that they thoroughly remove make-up residues every night before going to bed, otherwise clogged pores will result. Regular peelings support a clear complexion and work against blackheads.

If a blackhead is to be specifically removed, it helps to open the pores with a warm towel or a steam bath before treatment. Then you can apply a cleansing mask or remove the blackhead with a device (vacuum suction device or comedone squeezer).

Read also: This is how impure skin is treated

Face mask against blackheads

Face masks are an effective remedy for blackheads. Lately there has been a real hype around the black peel-off masks for removing blackheads. This mask contains activated charcoal or mineral mud and is used to deeply cleanse the skin. The paste is applied generously on the face or on the desired area of skin and then left to dry for about 30 minutes. Then the mask can simply be removed from the skin. The blackheads optimally stick to the mask and are simply pulled out of the skin when they are pulled off. Before buying, however, the list of contents of the mask should be checked for harmful substances, which is particularly recommended when making purchases on the Internet. In addition, the mask must not be used with acne or allergies.

You can also mix masks against blackheads yourself at home. An effective mask against blemishes is a mixture of Lemon juice, yogurt and honey. Alternatively you can also make a paste Baking soda and water and apply this thickly to the face. After drying, the dried-on residues are washed off thoroughly. For the treatment or prevention of blackheads, it is recommended that the mask (no matter which one you choose) once or twice a week is applied.

Cosmetic devices for removing blackheads

The is specially designed to remove blackheads Comedone squeezer or also "Black Head Remover" called. This is a steel device that has a kind of loop at the front and a flat side at the back. Blackheads can be squeezed out with the flat side. The loop is used to remove mature pimples. The device works very well with a little practice, but you have to use it carefully. If you press too hard, it can quickly happen that the sebum is squeezed into the skin, becomes inflamed and the skin ends up looking even worse than before. The comedone squeegee must be cleaned after each use and, ideally, disinfected with alcohol.

Also read: How to Get Rid of Pimples

Blackhead vacuum sucker

Recently there are special devices with which the removal of the blackheads should be easy and hygienic. These are so-called blackhead suckers, which are supposed to suck dirt and blockages out of the skin under vacuum. Before use, the face is treated with a warm towel to open the pores. The devices work simply and relatively well. However, you should not suckle too long in the same place, as this can lead to small bruises and burst veins. After use, the device should be thoroughly cleaned and possibly also disinfected in order to avoid infections the next time it is used.

"Blackhead Killer"

Certain agents are considered to be "Blackhead killer". For example, a paste made from toothpaste and alcohol is said to work wonders and quickly free the clogged pores of blackheads. However, it is not advisable to use such blackhead killers, as they are often very aggressive mixtures that can damage the skin.

More information here: Toothpaste for pimples

Should I express it myself?

Blackheads should best be squeezed out with special comedone squeezers, otherwise bacteria can easily get into the skin and lead to inflamed pimples. In rare cases, this can also lead to an abscess. This is an encapsulated collection of pus that can lead to further complications (such as blood poisoning or a brain abscess). It is generally not recommended to squeeze blackheads with too much pressure, as this will also force inflammatory sebum into the surrounding tissue and cause inflammation.

You might also be interested in: Home remedies for pimples

Blackheads in the "T-Zone"

Blackheads on the nose

Blackheads are particularly common on the nose. In addition to the forehead and chin, the nose belongs to the so-called T-zone. These are areas of the facial skin with a particularly large number of sebum glands. As a result, increased sebum is produced here and the skin pores clog more easily, which promotes the formation of blackheads and other skin blemishes. The blackheads on the nose can be removed with special scrubs and creams.

The supposed blackheads on the nose are not always really such. Blackheads with so-called follicle filaments (Sebaceous filaments) mistaken. These are deposits in the pores that are harmless and should not be regarded as blemishes. In comparison, blackheads are much larger and usually appear individually on the face.

Follicle filaments do not form annoying pimples, on the contrary: these deposits are important for the natural balance of the skin and sebum production.

Blackheads on the forehead

There are many sebum glands on the forehead, which can easily clog the pores. For this reason, blackheads often form on the forehead. So-called anti-blackhead strips are particularly suitable for removing blackheads on the forehead. These are adhesive strips that are applied to damp skin. After drying, the strips are removed and the blackheads simply stick to them. In addition, dead skin cells are removed and the complexion is refined.

More information can be found here: The right care for oily skin

Blackheads on the chin

The chin, along with the nose and forehead, is one of the sebum-rich T-zones on the face. The occurrence of blackheads is also favored by frequently running your hands in your face. There are always bacteria on your hands, no matter how often you wash your hands. Deep cleansing masks and washing lotions help remove the blemishes.

Symptoms of blackheads

Blackheads can be seen as small black or white spots that lie in the skin. Blackheads are harmless skin blemishes that have no disease value in themselves and are rarely accompanied by other symptoms. In some cases, the blackheads can become infected and purulent pimples or papules form. If the pustules are severely inflamed, a small scar may remain after they have healed.

Skin blemishes and many blackheads can, however, pose a serious cosmetic problem for those affected. Teenagers and young adults in particular suffer from it and so can bad skin too mental health problems, one reduced Self-esteem and even depressions to lead.

Diagnosing blackheads

Blackheads can usually be diagnosed at a glance. The characteristic black dots are usually harmless and people do not need to see a doctor because of it. In the case of a large number of or severely inflamed blackheads, however, a dermatologist should be consulted who will determine by means of a visual diagnosis whether it is acne.

You might also be interested in: Causes of Blemished Skin

Duration of blackheads

In adolescents, blackheads usually go away without treatment or special removal. In severe cases, when a lot of blackheads have formed or inflammation has developed, the dermatologist can prescribe special ointments and washing lotions that quickly cause the blackheads to regress.