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Blackheads are quite a common complaint in many people. You will find that many young teens that suffer from acne and have blackheads sadly tend to squeeze them which is not a good thing, hence only adding to their problem. Blackheads are caused by partially blocked pores. Just because blackheads are black does not mean that they are derived from dirt. In fact the colour is from the oxidising effect of air on the sebum (oil) in a blocked pore and the melanin pigment from the dead skin cells.
Squeezing blackheads, spots, boils or pimples can cause permanent damage to the pores and stop them working in the way they should. When you squeeze the blackhead some of the content will ooze out, however, you could force some of it to penetrate deeper back into the skin which can cause infection
Blackheads cause major embarrassment for some people, but this does not have to be, because there are treatments available to help banish them, leaving you with clear skin and healthy looking complexion.
The way to remove blackheads is to get to the root of the problem as to why they occur in the first place. The known cause is excessive sebum (oil) and dead skin cells. When cleansing the skin - use products made with natural ingredients that are not too astringent. Severe products can strip the skin of oil causing it to produce more sebum which leads to more blocked pores. Remember to never poke or prod blackheads and especially more so with any type of instrument that can cause the skin to tear. To help rid blackheads try using products containing natural oils such as jojoba or coconut oil. These are close to our natural oils so they don't block the pores, therefore helping to prevent blackheads happening. To remove dead skin cells gently exfoliate every day, be careful because over exfoliation can exacerbate the problem.
There are many treatments and products on the pharmacy counter, and because of this you may find you’re self in a situation not knowing what the best product to purchase is. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist, they can advise. Products containing alcohol, isopropyl mystate, lanolin, sodium lauryl sulphate, sodium laureth sulphate, propylene glycol, mineral oil and parabens are all types of different ingredients that should be avoided.
To prevent blackheads becoming a constant complaint you could try a different diet. By eating healthy i.e. nibbling at the right foods will help reduce sebum production, increase good moisture in the skin and help the production of new skin cells. Ask your doctor or dietician for more information on what are the best foods to help prevent reoccurrence of blackheads
Avoid cooked carbohydrates and fats; replace these with fresh fruits, vegetables and raw fats (avocadoes, olives, olive oil etc). Some tips below to help keep your skin soft supple and free from blackheads and clogged pores.
1. Wash the skin using a gentle natural exfoliating product and dab the skin dry, never rub the skin hard as you can do damage.
2. Try adding a couple of drops of tea tree oil in a bowl of hot water to steam the face, do this for approx 5 minutes to open the pores and soften the skin
3. Apply a clay mask, such as bentonite clay or seaweed clay mask
Cosmetic face foundation should be non-comedogenic and oil free.
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