Blackheads - What Do They Look Like, Treatment And Prevention

If the sight of teensy, black bumps on your T-zone makes you worried sick – this is the right page for you. What may look like dirt trapped in the pores is acne, also dubbed blackheads.  Non-inflammatory in nature, blackheads mainly occur when excess sebum, dead cells, or impurities get trapped in the hair follicles. In this blog, we help you with the right products and treatments to combat these pesky blackheads. So, keep reading -

What Do Blackheads Look Like And Why? 

As discussed in the introduction, blackheads look like just dirt trapped in your pores. These nasty legions are, infact, crammed with dead cells, impurities, sebum, keratin, and more.  But have you ever wondered why these bumps look brown or black from the outside? There is a simple explanation behind it. 

Blackheads have bigger openings on the skin's surface (as opposed to whiteheads). These openings allow oxygen molecules to enter and oxidize the melanin for the black hue. 

What Causes Blackheads?  

Before we learn about the solutions, let’s get well-versed in the many causes of blackheads -

1. Excess sebum production: Excess sebum production can clog the pores, leading to the formation of blackheads. This is the reason why blackheads are very common with oily skin folks.

2. Clogged pores and dead cells: The never-ending oil slick on the face attracts dirt, grime, and other impurities all day. This buildup along with dead cells clogs the pores, resulting in blackheads.

3. Hormonal imbalance: Your skin may produce unregulated sebum due to hormonal imbalances. When this excess oil plugs the pores on your face, it results in tiny black bumps appearing all over.

4. Comedogenic products: Another reason for blackheads is the use of certain skincare. If you have oily or acne-prone skin, we recommend avoiding comedogenic creams and formulas.

5. Your diet: You are what you eat. Indulging in high-glycemic foods, trans fats, and sugar triggers the sebaceous glands which can lead to clogged pores. 

Treatment For Blackheads 

If you’re struggling with recurring blackheads, here’s how you can treat them -

1. Over-the-counter Treatments with Salicylic Acid and Retinol: The easiest yet effective way to erase blackheads is by using OTC treatments with Salicylic Acid or Retinol. We know that Salicylic Acid is oil soluble in nature. It expels every morsel of oil, dead cells, and grime from the pores to ensure a smooth, even surface. Similarly, Retinol facilitates the healthy renewal of skin cells to prevent clogged pores – banishing blackheads completely.

2. Chemical peels: If you have a severe episode of blackheads that cannot be curbed using OTC treatments – might we recommend opting for chemical peels? The process uses a high concentration of Lactic or Glycolic Acid to exfoliate the dermis, reducing blackheads significantly.

3. At-home remedies: For a mild case of blackheads, you can try at-home remedies! Slather a clay mask to extract pesky blackheads in less than 15 minutes. Results? Gorgeous, glowing skin without the hassle of a salon.  

Prevention Of Blackheads   

For people with oily or acne-prone skin, blackheads can be easily prevented using the following steps.

1. Following a consistent skincare routine: We know that blackheads occur due to excess sebum and buildup clogging your pores. To avoid this, use an effective, oil-control cleanser that doesn’t strip the skin. Follow up with a Niacinamide or Hyaluronic acid-based serum to lock hydration into the skin. For those unaware, the lack of hydration cues the sebaceous glands into overdrive mode, leading to more oiliness than before.

2. Exfoliate Regularly: Apart from cleansing, include exfoliation in your weekly skincare routine. The process involves shedding dead cells, grime, and excess oil to reveal a smooth, soft surface minus the blackheads. For this job, we recommend Foxtale’s AHA BHA Exfoliating Serum.

3. Lifestyle changes: Additionally, you can undertake some lifestyle changes for smooth, even skin. Ditch high-glycemic, trans fats, and other such food sources only to load up on vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and healthy carbs. Practice mindfulness to keep stress at bay. Quit habits like drinking or smoking that take a toll on your skin’s health.

Busting Some Myths Related To Blackheads   

Skincare myths can derail your efforts for great skin. To stay ahead of the game, we are busting some misconceptions about blackheads. This will allow you to tackle these black bumps head-on!

1. Blackheads are caused by dirt: This is a very common misconception amongst people. To dispel all clouds of confusion, blackheads are caused by sebum and dead cells clogging the pores.

2. Popping blackheads will remove them: Maybe temporarily. But popping blackheads isn’t an efficient way to remove them. It only pushes the sebum and dead cells deeper into the skin, making the problem worse.

3. Blackheads are localized to the nose: While blackheads are most common on the nose, they can occur anywhere on the face – in and around the areas where the sebaceous glands are overactive.

Conclusion 

Blackheads are formed when excess sebum and dead cells clog the pores. When oxygen enters these legions, it oxidizes melanin resulting in a black hue. To combat blackheads, you can use OTC treatments, clays masks or a professional chemical peel (in case of a severe episode).