How does blackheads

When your skin looks like it's been adorned with a constellation of dark spots, it's time to call in a de-gunker. But what type of pore product you should use depends on if you're dealing with clogged pores or blackheads.

That's right brace yourself : blackheads and clogged pores aren't the same thing. Blackheads are technically a form of acne, explains Marchbein. Called "open comedones," they pop up when a hair follicle aka a pore fills up with oil and p. Clogged pores can look similar, but what's happening on the skin's surface — and, thus, how you treat it — is slightly different.

Derms call these clogged pores "sebaceous filaments. If your skin is acting up, take a look at this list to see if any of these factors are at the root of your skin problems: Dirt, oil, and debris build up.

Excessive sweating from exercise, heat, or stress can cause pores to go into overdrive. Specifically, for those that sweat and workout if they tend to under-cleanse their skin after working out, then residue and skin grime can back up in pores. There is evidence that supports sweating while working out is good for the skin, helping to purge pores and boost sluggish skin metabolism.

Haircare products can also interact with facial skin and lead to clogged pores. Prevent hair products from messing with your skin by keeping hair off your face during the day and by cleaning your hairline while washing your face at night.

Oily skin types tend to be more prone to blackheads. If you know you have an oily skin type , avoid touching your face with your hands. Finally, a diet focused on good fats and oils, while minimizing bad oils, can also help.

Instead, hormonal induced acne breakouts are classified as inflammatory lesions, whereas a blackhead is a non-inflammatory lesion.

Resist the urge to self-extract! DIY hardly works in this scenario. Keep it to twice-a-day. Be gentle on your skin! Use pore strips as a first step for getting rid of blackheads. Pore strips work like a magnet by connecting to pore plugs and lifting out blackheads. These types of treatments are available without a prescription. OTC treatments come in numerous forms such as creams, gels, pads, and serums. Top treatments created to kill acne-causing bacteria and often contain ingredients such as Salicylic Acid , benzoyl peroxide, and resorcinol.

Medications that contain vitamin A, AHAs, BHAs, and retinoids work to prevent pore plugs from forming in hair follicles and promote more rapid turnover of skin cells. Dermatologists and estheticians can perform pore extractions to remove blackheads. They can also provide helpful tips and treatments to prevent clogged pores in the future. This treatment consists of tiny beams of light that decrease oil production and kill bacteria.

This treatment works best for inflammatory acne conditions and is typically not necessary for blackhead treatments so consult with your dermatologist to see if it would be a good option for you.

In this treatment, a chemical solution is applied to the skin. Over time, the top layers of the skin will peel off to reveal smoother, rejuvenated skin. This is a minimally abrasive treatment performed by dermatologists or skincare professionals with either microparticles or a diamond-tipped wand that buffs and polishes the superficial layer of dry dead skin cells, exposing softer, fresher skin. Pore strips instantly lift dirt and oil from your pores and are a better option than trying to remove blackheads by squeezing them with your fingers.

When used weekly, pore strips can result in fewer clogged pores and improve the appearance of pores with continued use. Preventing blackheads are as simple as maintaining a clear skin regimen. Follow these essential tips to prevent future blackhead breakouts: Book a facial: Medical facials performed by a dermatologist or spa facials performed by an aesthetician are effective for a wide range of skin ailments. This treatment is especially helpful for blackheads because they often involve a combination of steam, high-quality products, and professional extractions.

Assess your products: Products with Salicylic Acid or Glycolic Acid are helpful for getting rid of blackheads. It is an effective acne active ingredient which treats and prevents acne breakouts. Just remember to use a broad-spectrum sunscreen in the morning.

If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. Blackheads are small, dark lesions that appear on the skin, often on the face and neck. They are a feature of mild acne, but they can appear without other signs of acne being present. In the United States U. Handling blackheads in the right way can help prevent the development of more severe acne.

Blackheads are a type of comedo. Comedones occur when the pores in the skin become plugged with dead skin cells and an oily, protective substance known as sebum. Normally, hair grows from hair follicles in the pores, and the sebum-producing sebaceous glands lie underneath. When these pores are plugged, the dead skin cells in the open pore react with oxygen in the air and turn black, forming a blackhead.

This is often confused with trapped dirt, but the development of blackheads is not related to the cleanliness of the skin. Other acne lesions are usually closed, but in blackheads, the skin around the clogged pore opens, air gets in causing the collected sebum oil or dead skin cells to oxidize and turn black or sometimes yellowish.

Blackheads appear most frequently on the face, back, neck, chest, arms, and shoulders. There are more hair follicles in these areas.

Age and hormonal changes are an important factor. Like other symptoms of acne, blackheads are most common during puberty , when the change in hormone levels triggers a spike in sebum production.

However, they can appear at any age. Androgen, the male sex hormone, triggers greater secretion of sebum and a higher turnover of skin cells around puberty. Both boys and girls experience higher levels of androgens during adolescence. After puberty, hormonal changes related to menstruation, pregnancy, and the use of birth control pills can also bring on blackheads in women. Other factors include :. Contrary to popular belief, poor hygiene does not directly cause blackheads.

Excessive scrubbing in an attempt to remove them can make them worse. Blackheads are a symptom of acne, but, being caused by open pores, they differ in some ways from other acne lesions. Blackheads are non-inflammatory. This means they are not infected, and they will not cause pain and discomfort in the same way as pimples and pustules. The change in appearance caused by blackheads can lead to embarrassment and social or psychological difficulties in some patients.

Sebaceous filaments look like blackheads, but they are different. They can appear on the nose. They tend to be smaller, appear in groups, and feel flat to the touch. Sebaceous filaments are glands that channel the flow of sebum through the pores.